Gum Grafting
Gum Recession Treatment, Melbourne
Gum recession happens when gum tissue pulls back from the tooth, exposing the root beneath. It can be both a cosmetic and functional concern. Our team in South Preston will properly assess your case before recommending any treatment, for patients across Melbourne and our Inner North community.
Join us for a Consultation at The Smile Designer Dental Studio.
A Graft Isn’t Always the Right Fix
Many patients come to us wanting a gum graft because their teeth look “long,” but the underlying cause is often something else entirely. Proper diagnosis matters more than the procedure itself.
It’s Often Gum Disease
Most of the time, what looks like recession needing a graft is actually periodontal disease. In these cases, a graft won’t fix the underlying problem — a deep hygiene clean is what’s actually needed first.
Sometimes It’s Orthodontic
Thin gums or recession can result from teeth being crowded or positioned outside the bone. In these cases, orthodontic treatment to reposition the teeth may need to happen before anything else is considered.
Occasionally It’s Skeletal
In some cases, the underlying jawbone structure is the real issue, requiring combined orthognathic (jaw) surgery and orthodontic treatment rather than a graft alone.
And Sometimes, a Graft
In select, appropriate cases, a palatal gum graft can help cover exposed roots and add tissue. Suitability is very case-dependent and only recommended after ruling out the causes above.
And occasionally, once everything is properly assessed, the honest answer is that the current situation is something to manage rather than fully correct. We’ll always give you a straightforward assessment rather than recommend a procedure that won’t solve the real problem.
Our Approach
How We Assess Your Case
Thorough Assessment
We examine your gum health, tooth position, and bite before considering any procedure — never jumping straight to a graft.
Address the Root Cause
If periodontal disease is the issue, we’ll start with a deep hygiene clean rather than recommend surgery that won’t solve the underlying problem.
In-House Grafting
Where a palatal graft is clinically appropriate, we can perform this in-house as part of your treatment plan.
Specialist Referral
For more complex cases, including those needing orthodontic or orthognathic input, we work with a trusted specialist referral network and help coordinate your ongoing care.
18+
Years Serving Melbourne’s Inner North
5,000+
Happy Patients
FAQs
Gum Grafting Questions, Answered
I think I need a gum graft — is that always the case?
Not necessarily. Many patients who think they need a graft actually have periodontal disease, which needs a deep hygiene clean rather than surgery. We’ll properly assess your gums before recommending any treatment.
Why do my teeth look “long”?
This is usually gum recession, which can have several different causes — gum disease, tooth position or crowding, or in some cases underlying bone structure. Identifying the actual cause is the first step, since it determines what (if anything) can help.
Can orthodontics help with gum recession?
In some cases, yes. If teeth are crowded or positioned outside the supporting bone, orthodontic treatment to reposition them may be recommended before considering anything else.
What is a palatal gum graft?
A palatal graft uses tissue, often taken from the roof of the mouth, to cover an exposed tooth root and add gum coverage. It’s only suitable in certain cases, and is considered after other causes of recession have been ruled out.
Will I need to see a specialist?
Sometimes. For more complex cases, including those needing orthodontic or jaw-related (orthognathic) treatment, we work with a trusted specialist referral network and help coordinate your ongoing care.
Is gum grafting always the answer?
No. Sometimes, after proper assessment, the honest outcome is that your current gum position is something to monitor and manage rather than fully correct. We’ll always be upfront with you about this rather than recommend a procedure that won’t address the real issue.
Is gum grafting covered by health insurance?
Coverage varies by policy. See our health insurance page for more detail, or check directly with your fund.
Get a Proper Diagnosis First
Book a consultation with our team in South Preston to find out what’s really going on with your gums.
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