Gum Graft Surgery Melbourne CBD

Improve the health and appearance of your gums with professional gum graft surgery designed to restore receding gums and protect exposed tooth roots. Our experienced dental team provides personalised treatment options based on your gum condition, oral health needs and desired results.

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Gum Surgery For Receding Gums

If your teeth are starting to look a little longer than they used to, or a particular tooth zings when you sip something cold, receding gums could be the culprit. A gum graft (also called a gingival graft) is a minor surgical procedure that rebuilds gum tissue where it’s worn down, covering the exposed root, calming sensitivity, and tidying up your gum line. At Art De Dente on Queen Street, we plan and perform gum grafts for patients across the Melbourne CBD, and we’ll always look at why the gum receded in the first place, not just patch it over.

What Is Gingival Recession?

Gingival recession is when the gum around a tooth gradually wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth and eventually the root. It tends to creep in slowly, so most people don’t clock it until a tooth looks longer or turns sensitive. Exposed roots aren’t just a cosmetic thing; they’re softer than enamel, so they’re more prone to decay and discomfort, which is why recession is worth dealing with rather than ignoring.

What Causes Receding Gums?

Brushing too hard or with a firm-bristled brush over the years
Gum disease, which damages and reduces gum tissue
Grinding or clenching, which stresses the teeth and gums
A misaligned bite that loads certain teeth unevenly
Genetics, with some people naturally having thinner gum tissue
Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy

Pinning down the cause matters because treating the recession without addressing its drivers just invites it back.

Types of Gum Graft

There’s more than one technique, and the right one depends on how much recession there is and your own anatomy. We’ll explain what we recommend for you and why.

Connective Tissue Graft

The most common type. Tissue is taken from just beneath the surface of the palate (the roof of your mouth) and placed over the recession to cover the exposed root.

Free Gingival Graft

Tissue is taken from the surface of the palate and used to thicken thin gum, often chosen when the goal is to reinforce the gum rather than cover a root.

Pedicle Graft

Gum tissue next to the affected tooth is partly lifted and shifted across to cover the recession, an option when there’s enough healthy tissue right beside it.

In some cases, we may use PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) drawn from your own blood to support healing; we’ll discuss whether that’s appropriate for you.

Why Consider a Gum Graft?

A gum graft earns its keep in a few ways. It covers exposed tooth roots, which lowers the risk of root decay and dials down sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet. It thickens thin or receded gums to help stop further recession. And it restores a more even, balanced gum line, which many patients value for the look of their smile, particularly on the front teeth.

What Happens If You Leave Gums Untreated?

Recession doesn’t grow back on its own. Left unchecked, more root surface is exposed, sensitivity tends to worsen, and the risk of root decay and further gum and bone loss increases. The earlier it’s assessed, the more conservative the options; sometimes mild recession can simply be monitored and managed by fixing the cause, with gingival recession surgery reserved for when root coverage or reinforcement is genuinely needed.

The Gum Graft Procedure, Step by Step

Consultation & planning. We assess the extent of the recession, take any necessary scans or X-rays, and discuss your goals and the most suitable graft type.
Numbing up. Local anaesthetic numbs both the recession site and, where relevant, the donor area.
Placing the graft. The graft tissue is positioned over the area needing coverage and secured in place.
Healing support. You'll leave with detailed aftercare to help the graft settle, and we'll book a review.

Recovery & Aftercare

Initial healing of the graft site usually takes about one to two weeks, with the donor area healing in a similar window. Full settling of the gum can take several weeks. To give the graft the best shot:

Eat soft, cool foods for the first few days
Don’t brush or floss directly on the graft until we tell you it’s safe
Follow any rinsing instructions we give you
Avoid smoking, which slows healing
Come back for your review appointments so we can check how it’s settling

A quick reality check: a graft fixes the recession that’s already there, it works best alongside changes that tackle the cause, like easing off a heavy-handed brushing technique or sorting out grinding with a night splint.

What Does a Gum Graft Cost in Melbourne?

Cost depends on how many teeth are involved, the type of graft, and how complex your case is. At Art De Dente, we’ll give you a written, itemised quote after examining your gums.

We’re a preferred provider for Medibank, Bupa, HCF, NIB, CBHS and HIF, and a partner to smile.com.au, with on-the-spot HICAPS claiming, so for many patients there’s only a gap to pay. Look for “periodontal surgery” or “gum treatment” in your extras cover, and we can help you check before you go ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a gum graft painful?

The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during it. Some tenderness afterwards, particularly at the palate donor site, is normal and is usually well managed with simple pain relief and the aftercare we provide.

How long do gum graft results last?

Gum grafts can last many years, especially when the original cause of the recession is addressed, and you keep up good gum care. We’ll talk through what to expect for your situation.

Will my gums look different straight away?

Not overnight; a graft doesn’t instantly reverse the appearance of previously receded gums. The gum settles gradually as it heals over the following weeks.

Can receding gums be treated without surgery?

Mild recession can sometimes be monitored and managed by tackling the cause, such as brushing habits or gum disease. A graft is considered when the root needs covering or the gum needs reinforcing. We’ll lay out the options for your gums.

Where is the graft tissue taken from?

Most often from the roof of your mouth (the palate). In some cases, other techniques or donor sources are suitable, which we’ll discuss based on your anatomy and the extent of recession.

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