# Gum Graft Surgery for Receding Gums > Source: https://serenklinik.com/blog/gum-graft-surgery/ > Language: en **Gum graft surgery** is a periodontal procedure that rebuilds gum tissue lost to receding gums, covering exposed tooth roots and reinforcing the gum line. Also called a gingival graft, it is used when gum recession has progressed far enough to cause sensitivity, an uneven smile, or a risk to the tooth itself. For patients exploring gum graft surgery in Turkey, Istanbul clinics offer the procedure as a focused treatment that protects the roots, reduces sensitivity, and restores a healthier-looking gum line, often at a fraction of the cost charged in the UK or US. ## What is gum graft surgery? Gum graft surgery moves a small amount of soft tissue to an area where the gum has worn away from the tooth. As gums recede, the root surface becomes exposed; it is softer than enamel, more prone to decay, and often sensitive to hot, cold, and brushing. A graft covers that exposed root, thickens thin gum tissue, and re-establishes a stable margin around the tooth. The tissue usually comes from the roof of the mouth (the palate), though donor or laboratory-processed tissue can be used in some cases to avoid a second surgical site. The aim is both functional and aesthetic: protecting the tooth long term while improving how the gum line looks. ### Types of gum graft Periodontists generally use one of three approaches, chosen according to how much tissue is needed and where: - **Connective tissue graft.** The most common type. Tissue is taken from beneath a flap on the palate and stitched over the exposed root. It is well suited to covering one or more recession sites. - **Free gingival graft.** A layer of tissue is taken directly from the palate surface. It is often chosen to thicken thin gums rather than to cover a root, and is common in patients with naturally delicate gum tissue. - **Pedicle (lateral) graft.** Tissue is partly lifted from gum next to the affected tooth and slid over to cover the gap, keeping its own blood supply. This needs healthy, plentiful gum nearby. ## Who needs gum graft surgery? Gum graft surgery suits patients with noticeable gum recession that is causing problems rather than mild, stable recession that can be monitored. Typical reasons include persistent root sensitivity, ongoing recession, root decay risk, or wanting to correct the look of long-appearing teeth. A periodontist confirms whether grafting is the right step. Recession has many causes, from aggressive brushing and gum disease to tooth position, grinding, and genetics. Because gum disease is one of the main drivers, the underlying condition usually has to be brought under control first. A course of deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is often completed before any graft is planned, so the surgery is carried out on healthy, stable foundations. Where recession is mild, your dentist may recommend monitoring and prevention instead, which is covered in more detail in this guide to the causes and treatment of receding gums. Some patients are advised to wait or take extra precautions. Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, and active gum infection can all slow healing and reduce graft success, so these are addressed before surgery wherever possible. ## How does the gum graft procedure work? A gum graft is usually a single outpatient appointment carried out under local anaesthetic, so you stay awake but feel no pain during the surgery. For an anxious patient, sedation options may be available. A typical procedure follows these steps: - **Assessment and planning.** The periodontist measures the recession, checks gum and bone health, and decides which graft type fits the case. Any active gum disease is treated first. - **Preparing the site.** The exposed root is cleaned and the recipient area is gently prepared to receive the new tissue. - **Harvesting the graft.** A small piece of tissue is taken from the palate or a donor source. If the palate is used, that area is protected while it heals. - **Placing and securing.** The graft is positioned over the exposed root and held in place with fine sutures, then left to integrate with the surrounding tissue. The surgery itself often takes between one and two hours, depending on how many teeth are involved. Many patients having treatment abroad combine the appointment with a short stay so the periodontist can review early healing and remove any non-dissolving stitches before they travel home. ## What are the benefits and the risks? The main benefit is protection: covering an exposed root lowers the risk of root decay and usually reduces or removes sensitivity. A successful graft also halts further recession at the treated site and improves the gum line, which can make teeth look less long and more even. Thicker, healthier gum tissue tends to be more resilient over the years. It is worth noting that a graft adds tissue to cover a root, which is different from [gum contouring and reshaping](/blog/gum-contouring/), a cosmetic procedure that removes or sculpts excess gum to even out the smile line. As with any surgery, honest expectations matter and no outcome can be guaranteed. Possible risks include bleeding, swelling, infection, and discomfort at both the graft and donor sites, particularly the palate in the first days. Occasionally a graft does not fully take, or the colour and contour of the new tissue does not blend perfectly, and a touch-up may be needed. Most complications are uncommon and manageable when the procedure is planned carefully and aftercare is followed closely. > A gum graft does not reverse what caused the recession; it repairs the damage, which is why controlling the underlying cause first is what protects the result. ### Recovery and aftercare Initial healing usually takes one to two weeks, with full tissue maturation continuing over a few months. Expect to eat soft, cool foods at first and to avoid brushing the surgical area directly until your periodontist advises it is safe. Smoking should be avoided, as it noticeably slows gum healing. Most people return to normal activity within a couple of days, though strenuous exercise is best paused briefly. ## How much does gum graft surgery cost? Costs vary by case, the number of teeth treated, the graft type, and whether any donor tissue is used. The figures below are approximate ranges and vary by case; they are a general guide rather than a quote. LocationApproximate cost (per gum graft site) United Kingdom£600 - £1,200 United States£700 - £1,500 (equivalent) Turkey£200 - £450 Turkey is consistently more affordable, largely because of lower clinic running costs and a strong, competitive dental sector, not because of any compromise in care or materials. Where several teeth are treated in one session, the per-site figure typically falls. Always confirm what a quoted price includes, such as the consultation, scans, the surgery itself, and follow-up review, so you are comparing like for like. ## Why consider Turkey for gum graft surgery? Istanbul has an established reputation in periodontal and surgical dentistry, with experienced specialist teams, modern facilities, and prices well below those in the UK and US. For a focused procedure like a gum graft, that can mean a meaningful saving on treatment that is the same in principle wherever it is performed. As in any country, the priorities stay the same: choose a clinic with a qualified periodontist, ask how the underlying recession will be managed, and make sure aftercare and review arrangements are clear before you book. ### Related reading - [Gum Disease (Gingivitis & Periodontitis): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment](/blog/gum-disease-gingivitis-periodontitis-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/) - [Gum Disease (Gingivitis & Periodontitis): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment](/blog/gum-disease-gingivitis-periodontitis-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/)