TISSUE THICKENING
Free Gingival Grafting
One of the original and most predictable forms of gum grafting, used to thicken thin gum tissue and create a dense, protective band around teeth and implants.
One of the original and most predictable forms of gum grafting, used to thicken thin gum tissue and create a dense, protective band around teeth and implants.
Free gingival grafting is one of the original forms of gum grafting developed, and refinements in technique and handling over the years have made it one of the most predictable and successful.
A small piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and attached at the affected site. The graft is especially useful when thin gum tissue needs to be reinforced to protect a tooth or implant from continued recession.
Following a thorough evaluation with our team, we build a treatment plan around the causes of your recession and the specific site. A free gingival graft may be the best option, and we discuss the details with you at your first visit.
When the goal is to thicken tissue and protect the site, this is often the technique of choice.
A free gingival graft adds tissue thickness where none existed, creating a dense band of gum that better resists future recession.
By reinforcing the gum around the tooth or implant, the graft helps stop recession from advancing further at that site.
Decades of refinement have made this one of the most reliable grafting techniques in periodontics, particularly when thickening rather than root coverage is the priority.
Free gingival grafting is completed under local anesthesia in a single visit.
We assess the site, review tissue thickness, and confirm that a free gingival graft is the best fit for your goals.
Both the treatment site and the roof of the mouth are numbed for a comfortable experience. IV sedation is available if preferred.
The recipient site is cleaned and prepared so the transplanted tissue can integrate cleanly.
A small piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and placed at the graft site, where it is stitched securely into position.
A custom stent is fabricated to cover the roof of the mouth. Keep the stent in place for at least 36 hours after surgery to protect the donor site as it heals.
Follow the specific instructions we provide for diet, activity, and any medications. Do not brush or floss the repaired gumline until we confirm it is safe. A specialized rinse helps control plaque during healing, and an antibiotic may be prescribed to reduce infection risk.
For the first few days, stick with soft, cool foods, eggs, pasta, yogurt, cottage cheese, well-cooked vegetables, ice cream. Mild swelling and minor bruising are normal.
Avoid touching or looking at the graft site. Discomfort and swelling typically resolve within a few days to a week; full healing of the graft takes several months.
We are honored you have chosen us for your periodontal care. At Coastal Periodontics, we believe every patient is unique, not just in dental needs but in values, past experiences, and treatment goals. Our team listens first, then designs a collaborative treatment plan around what matters to you. We pride ourselves on providing a calm, welcoming environment where every detail is handled with compassion. Our approach is grounded in a simple ideology: it is not about a procedure, it is about a long-term relationship. We stay active in continued education and in the community we serve.
Next Step
Send us a note and our team will follow up to schedule your evaluation.