Gum Grafting & Recontouring

Gum grafting adds tissue where gums have receded — covering exposed roots, reducing sensitivity, and restoring a healthy protective gum margin. Gum recontouring removes tissue where gums are excessive — correcting a gummy smile, balancing an uneven gum line, or exposing more tooth for cosmetic or restorative purposes.

At Champions for Oral Health in Fairfax, VA, both procedures are planned with Digital Smile Design technology so outcomes are predictable and harmonious.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia — you should feel no pain during treatment. Post-operative soreness is normal for several days, particularly at the palatal donor site.

Champions for Oral Health incorporates biologics into gum graft procedures to reduce post-operative inflammation and accelerate healing, which typically improves recovery comfort compared to conventional technique alone. Prescription pain relief and detailed care instructions are provided.

Gum recession is caused by gum disease, aggressive tooth brushing, thin gum genetics, teeth grinding, orthodontic treatment, or trauma.

Signs that a graft may be needed include visible root exposure, teeth appearing longer than before, sensitivity at the gum line, or a notch where the tooth meets the root.

A clinical assessment with digital measurements will determine whether a graft is necessary and, if so, which teeth require treatment.

Not all recession requires grafting — the decision depends on whether it is progressing and how much supporting tissue remains.

A gummy smile occurs when more than 2–3mm of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth during a full smile — making teeth appear short or the smile appear unbalanced.

Gum recontouring surgically removes the excess tissue to reveal the full crown of each tooth. It can also correct an uneven gum line where different teeth show different gum heights.

At Champions for Oral Health, DSD planning is used to map the exact new gum position before treatment — so you see the result before it happens.

Most patients return to normal activities within a few days and resume a regular diet within one to two weeks. Full tissue integration takes two to four weeks; final gum maturation occurs over one to three months.

The biologics used at Champions for Oral Health promote faster soft tissue regeneration, which typically shortens recovery time compared to conventional graft procedures.

Dental biologics are regenerative substances — including platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) derived from the patient's own blood — that concentrate growth factors at the graft site to stimulate faster tissue regeneration, improve graft integration, and reduce post-operative inflammation.

Their use at Champions for Oral Health reflects the practice's broader commitment to biocompatible, wellness-first care — using the body's own healing capacity rather than synthetic agents wherever possible.

Gum recession does not self-correct — it progresses over time. As the gum retreats further, more root surface is exposed to bacterial decay, acid erosion, and sensitivity. Roots have no enamel protection and are significantly more vulnerable than crown surfaces.

Advanced untreated recession can eventually compromise the bone support around the tooth, increasing the risk of tooth loss. Early intervention preserves more healthy tissue and produces better outcomes with simpler treatment.