Gum Graft in Charleston, Camden, Summerville, James Island & West Ashley, SC
Receding gums expose the roots of your teeth, leaving them open to sensitivity, decay, and structural damage. A gum graft stops this process, rebuilds lost tissue, and restores the protective barrier your teeth depend on. At Ammons Dental By Design, our team performs gum graft procedures across five South Carolina locations, bringing you experienced, patient-centered care close to home.
What Is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft, also called soft tissue grafting or gingival grafting, is a surgical procedure designed to replace or reinforce gum tissue lost to recession. Your dentist takes tissue from another area of your mouth or uses donor material, then carefully attaches it to the areas where your gums have pulled back. Over time, the graft integrates with your existing tissue and creates a durable protective layer around your teeth.
Gum grafting addresses both functional and cosmetic concerns. It reduces tooth sensitivity, shields exposed roots from decay, and restores a balanced, natural-looking gum line.
Signs You Need a Gum Graft
- Your teeth appear longer than they used to.
- You feel sharp sensitivity when eating hot, cold, or acidic foods.
- Your gum line looks uneven or has visibly pulled away from your teeth.
- You see exposed root surfaces at the base of one or more teeth.
- Your dentist has detected bone loss in the areas surrounding the affected teeth.
- Your gums bleed or feel sore for no obvious reason.
Benefits of Gum Grafting
- Reduced sensitivity: Covering exposed roots eliminates the sharp pain from hot, cold, and acidic foods.
- Root protection: Exposed roots lack enamel and are highly vulnerable to decay. A gum graft provides the barrier they need.
- Recession control: Grafting stabilizes your gum line and stops further tissue loss.
- Bone support: Healthy, adequate gum tissue supports the bone structure holding your teeth in place.
- Restored aesthetics: Grafting brings back a natural, even gum line and improves the overall appearance of your smile.
- Implant readiness: Adequate gum tissue is essential for successful dental implant placement.
Types of Gum Grafts
Connective Tissue Graft
Free Gingival Graft
Pedicle Graft
Gum Graft Surgery Process at Ammons Dental By Design
Consultation and Clinical Evaluation
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Anesthesia and Sedation
Your dentist numbs the treatment and donor sites with local anesthesia. You stay awake but feel no pain. Sedation is available for anxious patients and is administered before the procedure begins.
Donor Site Preparation and Tissue Harvesting
Recession Site Preparation
Graft Placement and Suturing
Protective Dressing and Final Assessment
Post-Procedure Review and Discharge
Gum Graft Recovery: What You Need to Know
Initial healing takes one to two weeks. Full tissue integration requires several months. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions closely to reduce the risk of complications.
- Eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, eggs, and smoothies.
- Avoid chewing near the graft site.
- Do not brush or floss the treated area until your dentist clears you.
- Rinse gently with the prescribed antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Avoid strenuous activity for the first three days.
- Do not smoke; tobacco slows healing and raises the risk of graft failure.
- Persistent bleeding from the graft or donor site.
- Fever or increasing pain.
- Swelling beyond the first 48 to 72 hours.
- Graft tissue loosening or separating from the surrounding gum.
Top rated dental clinics in south Carolina
“Dr Ammons and his staff have truly changed my life. For years I hated to take photos or I hid in the back to hide my smile. Since this journey has started I now love taking photos and make memories. It’s amazing the growth and confidence they have provided me. Highly professional and personable. They actually listen and ask about any concerns. Top quality. Forever grateful!”
“The staff are super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I actually look forward to my appointments no matter what I have going on dental wise because I know I’m in the best care in the Low Country. If you are looking for a new place and/or not happy with where you have been going; I highly recommend Ammons Dental by Design”
“A very good experience in a very stressful situation. Dr Ammons is very personable and skilled. He made me feel comfortable and accomplished an implant at my visit. It was an emergency for me and the first time I had used his services. I will use Ammons for all my dental care in the future”
Gum Graft Financing Options and Insurance
Graft Type | Estimated Cost Per Tooth |
Connective Tissue Graft | $600 – $1,200 |
Free Gingival Graft | $600 – $1,200 |
Pedicle Graft | $500 – $1,100 |
Multiple Teeth (same visit) | $1,500 – $3,000+ |
Insurance plans accepted at Ammons Dental By Design
Ammons Dental By Design is in-network with most major dental insurance providers. Our front desk team verifies your specific benefits before your appointment, so you know your coverage level, deductible status, and estimated out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins. Bring your insurance card to your consultation, and our team will handle the rest.
If your insurer requires a pre-authorization for gum graft surgery, we submit the supporting clinical documentation on your behalf.
Insurance plans accepted at Ammons Dental By Design
- Cash and personal check.
- Debit and credit cards.
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
- CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit, and Lending Club financing.
- Most major dental insurance plans.
Our team walks you through every financing option at your consultation, so cost does not stand between you and the care your gums need.
DENTAL FINANCING OPTIONS AT AMMONS DENTAL
Our office is in-network with all major insurance providers. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here. please call for clarity.
cash
CHECK
FSA
DEBIT AND CREDIT
Why Choose Ammons Dental By Design for Mini Mouth Dental Implants?
- Five convenient locations: We provide gum graft services across Downtown Charleston, James Island, Camden, Summerville, and West Ashley, so care is always close to home.
- Experienced dental team: Our dentists bring extensive hands-on experience in gum reconstruction, backed by advanced dental technology.
- Multi-specialty care under one roof: We handle your full treatment plan in-house, from pre-graft gum disease treatment to post-graft follow-up, with no referrals needed.
- Precision-driven procedures: We use advanced imaging and diagnostic tools to assess recession depth and bone levels accurately before every gum graft procedure.
- Clear communication: We explain your gum graft options in plain terms, walk you through costs and insurance coverage, and answer every question before treatment begins.
- Comfort-focused environment: Sedation options are available for anxious patients, and our team works at your pace to keep you informed and at ease throughout.
Take the First Step Toward Healthier Gums
FAQs
How do I know if I need a gum graft or another gum treatment?
Your dentist determines this through a clinical exam. If recession exposes root surfaces, causes sensitivity, or risks bone loss, a gum graft is the right treatment. Early-stage cases need only improved brushing and scaling.
Is gum graft surgery painful?
Local anesthesia eliminates pain during the procedure. Sedation is available for anxious patients. Mild soreness at the graft and donor sites is normal afterward. Most patients find discomfort manageable by the end of week one.
How long does gum graft recovery take?
Initial healing takes one to two weeks. Follow a soft-food diet and avoid brushing the graft site during this time. Full tissue integration takes two to three months. Your dentist monitors progress at follow-up visits.
Will the results of my gum graft look natural?
Yes. A correctly performed gum graft blends with the surrounding tissue and restores a natural, even gum line. Tissue from your own mouth or from a matched donor heals and becomes virtually indistinguishable from your existing gums.
How long do the results of a gum graft last?
Once fully integrated, graft tissue becomes a permanent part of your gum structure. Results hold for many years with proper care. Addressing the cause of recession, such as a night guard, prevents future tissue loss.