Gum Grafting in Simi Valley
Receding gums do more than change how your smile looks. As gum tissue pulls back, it can expose the roots of your teeth, which aren't protected by enamel the way the visible part of a tooth is. Gum grafting rebuilds that lost tissue. At 805 Dentistry, a board-certified periodontist on our own team performs the procedure, so our Simi Valley patients can have gum recession evaluated and treated by a specialist without needing a referral.
Gum grafting is a periodontal procedure that adds healthy tissue to areas where the gums have receded. The goal is to cover exposed root surfaces and restore a sturdier gumline around the affected teeth. Our periodontist plans each graft around the specific teeth involved, how far the tissue has receded, and the overall health of your gums.
Patients often come to us after noticing teeth that look longer than they used to, sensitivity near the gumline, or a smile that seems uneven. A graft can address several of these concerns at once:
- Covering exposed roots that may feel sensitive to hot, cold, or brushing
- Adding a protective layer of gum tissue around vulnerable teeth
- Creating a more even, balanced gumline for a better-looking smile
- Supporting the long-term health of the teeth and surrounding structures
Because our periodontics team also offers periodontal regeneration, cosmetic gum contouring, and crown lengthening, we can look at your gums as a whole rather than treating one spot in isolation.
Gum grafting may be a good fit if you have visible recession, exposed roots, or thinning gum tissue around one or more teeth. Recession can affect a single tooth or several, and it shows up in adults of many ages. The best way to know whether a graft makes sense for you is an exam with our periodontist, who will measure the recession and check the health of the surrounding tissue.
If active gum disease is present, we typically address that first. Our office provides scaling and root planing, gum disease treatment, and periodontal maintenance, so we can help get your gums healthy and stable before any grafting begins. Your exam may also include 2D or 3D imaging, which we provide in-house, to give us a clearer picture of what's happening beneath the surface.
What happens during a gum grafting procedure?
The procedure involves placing new tissue along the receded area and securing it so it can heal into place. Before anything begins, our periodontist walks you through the plan, explains which teeth are being treated, and answers your questions so you know exactly what to expect.
Comfort is a priority for us. Many patients feel uneasy about gum surgery, so we have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff. Depending on your needs and preferences, sedation options include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. If dental anxiety has kept you from addressing your gums, let us know during your consultation and we'll talk through which option fits you best.
How do I care for my gums after a graft?
Careful home care during healing is one of the most important parts of a successful graft, and we'll give you clear, personalized instructions before you leave. These usually cover how to keep the treated area clean, what to eat while you heal, and which activities to hold off on for a while.
We'll also schedule follow-up visits so our periodontist can check how the tissue is healing. Over the long term, regular cleanings and periodontal maintenance help protect your results. Since we're a one-stop office for the whole family's dental care, you can continue your routine checkups, cleanings, and any other treatment with the same team that knows your history.
How can I pay for gum grafting?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our team files the claims for you. Periodontics is billed as a specialist service, and we'll help you understand how your plan applies before treatment so there are fewer surprises.
If you don't have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients. Financing is also available, which allows many Simi Valley patients to move forward with care now rather than putting it off. Our front office team is happy to go over your options and estimated costs during your visit.
Our office, led by Dr. Dar Radfar, is in Thousand Oaks, and we regularly care for patients from Simi Valley and throughout the surrounding communities. If you've noticed your gums pulling back or your teeth feeling more sensitive, contact us to schedule a periodontal evaluation.