Overview
Gum grafting costs typically range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per tooth, depending on graft type, location, and case complexity.
This guide explains how much gum grafting costs and what makes the price go up or down. Gum grafting, sometimes called gum graft surgery, is a procedure that rebuilds gum tissue lost to gum recession. If your gums are pulling back from your teeth, or your dentist has recommended a gum tissue graft, this guide will help you plan.
You will learn about the different gum grafting procedures, what happens during gum graft surgery, and how dental insurance and alternative payment plans can ease the cost of gum grafting. Treating gum recession early can protect your exposed tooth roots and the bone that supports your teeth.[1]
What Gum Grafting Is and Why People Need It
Gum grafting is a minor surgery that covers exposed tooth roots and rebuilds a healthy gum line using transplanted gum tissue.
Gum recession happens when the gum tissue around a tooth wears away or pulls back. Common causes include gum disease, also called periodontal disease, hard brushing, and grinding.[1] Once roots are exposed, teeth can become sensitive and more prone to decay. Gum grafting restores the lost tissue and helps protect the tooth.
Different Gum Grafting Procedures
There are a few different gum grafting procedures, and the type your periodontist chooses affects both the result and the cost of gum grafting.
A connective tissue graft is the most common type. The surgeon takes connective tissue from under a flap on the roof of your mouth, then stitches that graft tissue over the exposed root. Because a connective tissue graft uses your own tissue, the match is usually good.
A free gingival graft also uses tissue from the roof of the mouth, but the surgeon takes a thin layer from the surface instead of from underneath. A free gingival graft adds thickness to thin gums and is common when you need sturdier tissue rather than full root coverage.
A pedicle graft moves nearby gum tissue over the exposed root without taking donor tissue from elsewhere. Some surgeons use donor tissue from a tissue bank instead of your own tissue, which avoids a second surgical site and can shorten the visit.
How Gum Disease Leads to Grafting
Gum disease is one of the leading reasons people need gum grafting. When plaque builds up along the gum line, it can inflame and infect the gums.[1] Over time, untreated periodontal disease destroys the gum tissue and bone that hold teeth in place, which causes the gums to recede.
Not every case of gum recession comes from gum disease. Aggressive brushing, tooth position, and naturally thin gum tissue can also cause receding gums. Your periodontist will look for the cause before planning a gum tissue graft, since treating the cause helps the graft last.
What to Know Before Gum Grafting
Most people who need gum grafting are adults with gum recession, root sensitivity, or thin gum tissue that a dentist has flagged.
Gum grafting is usually done in adults, since gum recession builds up over years. Children and teens rarely need it. There is no strict upper age limit; what matters more is your gum health and whether you can heal well. Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes can slow healing, so share your full health history.
Gum grafting is different from dental implants. Dental implants replace teeth that are already missing, while gum grafting restores gum tissue around teeth you still have.
Before gum graft surgery, your periodontist will examine your gums, measure how far they have receded, and may take X-rays. Tell your provider about any medications, blood thinners, or health conditions. You may be asked to pause certain drugs that thin the blood before surgery. Plan for a few quiet days afterward to rest and recover.
What to Expect During Gum Graft Surgery
Gum graft surgery is usually an outpatient procedure lasting about one to two hours, depending on how many teeth need treatment.
Your periodontist will numb the area with local anesthesia, so you stay awake but feel no pain. If you feel anxious, ask about sedation options before the day of surgery.
- Numbing: The surgeon numbs both the treatment area and, if needed, the donor site on the roof of your mouth.
- Harvesting: For a connective tissue graft, the surgeon removes a small piece of tissue from under the surface, or uses donor tissue from a tissue bank.
- Placement: The graft tissue is positioned over the exposed tooth roots and along the gum line.
- Closing: Fine stitches hold the graft in place. Some stitches dissolve on their own, while others are removed at a follow-up visit.
Recovery and Healing
Most people return to light activity within a day or two after gum graft surgery. Soreness and swelling are common for about a week, and the donor site on the roof of the mouth can feel tender. Stick to soft, cool foods and avoid brushing the graft site until your periodontist says it is safe. Full healing of the gum tissue often takes several weeks, and results vary from person to person.
Gum Grafting Costs and Insurance
How much does gum grafting cost depends mostly on the graft type, the number of teeth treated, and where you live.
The cost of gum grafting for a single tooth commonly runs from about six hundred to two thousand dollars. Treating several teeth in one visit raises the total but can lower the cost per tooth. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity, so always ask for a written estimate before gum graft surgery.
Several factors push gum grafting costs higher. A connective tissue graft usually costs more than a simpler free gingival graft because it takes more time and skill. Extra fees may apply for the consultation, X-rays, anesthesia or sedation, and follow-up visits. Using donor tissue from a tissue bank can also change the price of the gum grafting procedure.
Insurance and Payment Options
Dental insurance often covers part of gum graft surgery when it is medically necessary, such as when recession threatens the health of a tooth. Plans differ, so it helps to ask whether your policy treats gum grafting as a covered periodontal service or as a cosmetic one. Cosmetic cases are less likely to be covered. If you are unsure what your plan includes, your dentist's office and insurer can help you understand your benefits.[2]
If dental insurance does not cover the full cost of gum grafting, many periodontists offer alternative payment plans. These let you spread payments over several months. Some offices also work with third-party financing or offer a discount for paying upfront. Ask about alternative payment plans during your consultation so the cost of gum grafting does not delay care you need.
When to See a Specialist
See a periodontist when gum recession is worsening, roots are becoming exposed, or your general dentist refers you for gum grafting.
A general dentist can spot early gum recession and gum disease during routine checkups. For mild cases, your dentist may suggest gentler brushing habits or a softer toothbrush.[1] When recession is advanced or a gum tissue graft is needed, a periodontist has the training and tools to perform gum graft surgery and to choose among the different gum grafting procedures.
Contact a dental professional if you notice any of these signs:
- Gums that bleed easily or look red and swollen
- Teeth that look longer because the gums are pulling back
- New tooth sensitivity to hot or cold near the gum line
- Exposed tooth roots or a notch where the gum used to sit
Why Earlier Care Helps
These can be signs of gum disease or recession that may need treatment.[1] Catching the problem early often means simpler, lower-cost care. Advanced recession can lead to a larger gum tissue graft, more visits, and higher gum grafting costs, so a timely checkup is worth it.
Find a Periodontist Near You
Gum recession does not improve on its own, and the right specialist can tell you whether gum grafting is the best step for your gums. To learn more about gum specialists and find one near you, visit the periodontics page. A periodontist can review your case, explain the different gum grafting procedures, and give you a clear estimate of your gum grafting costs.
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