Gum grafting & recession treatment in Mosinee
— restore your gum line, protect your roots, and stop recession from progressing

Gum recession exposes root surfaces that weren’t designed to be exposed — leading to sensitivity, increased decay risk, and a smile that looks older than it should. Gum grafting replaces lost tissue, covers exposed roots, and stops recession from progressing further.

Covers exposed root surfaces and stops recession progression permanently

Clinical Indications
Functional Consequences — Beyond How It Looks

Root sensitivity

Root surfaces lack protective outer enamel — exposed roots are highly sensitive to thermal temperature changes, touch forces, and acidic foods. Grafting safely covers the root and eliminates or significantly reduces painful root sensitivity lines.


Root decay risk

Soft root surfaces are far more vulnerable to rapid decay tracks than enamel-covered tooth crowns. Exposed roots accumulate sticky bacterial plaque fields more easily, causing cavities to progress directly toward the nerve.


Recession progresses

Without timely intervention, gum recession rarely stops on its own. Continued tissue recession leads to deeper root exposure, heightened nerve sensitivity, weakened bone support, and eventual tooth loss in severe cases.


Aesthetic impact

Recession naturally makes teeth look abnormally long, uneven, and aged. The historical "long in the tooth" presentation is completely preventable — and highly reversible — with precision microsurgical grafting.


Graft Varieties
Three Proven Soft-Tissue Techniques
“Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or after a whitening treatment — this is completely normal and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Here is how our team proactively minimizes discomfort:”
Connective tissue graft (CTG)

The global clinical gold standard for predictable root coverage. Tissue is harvested gently from beneath the surface layer of your palate through a microscopic incision, then placed directly at the recession site. Yields the best aesthetic color match.

Free gingival graft (FGG)

Tissue is taken from the top surface layer of the palate and grafted directly to the recession zone. Used primarily to thicken thinned out, vulnerable gum zones and increase the band of attached tissue rather than covering wide root surfaces.

Pedicle graft

Healthy gum tissue immediately adjacent to the recession site is partially detached, rotated across, and secured directly over the exposed root surface. Because it utilizes local tissue, a palatal donor site is entirely avoided.

Which graft is right for you? The appropriate technique depends heavily on your recession location, local tissue thickness, and overall smile goals. We outline our exact recommendations at your consultation.

The Microsurgical Journey
Step-by-Step Treatment Protocol

01

Evaluation & planning

Recession severity, tissue thickness, and root exposure are analyzed. The ideal graft material medium is pre-selected, and donor sites are verified for suitability.


02

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia administered safely at both the recipient site and palatal donor site. Both areas are thoroughly numbed before any tissue treatment begins.


03

Graft placement

Donor tissue is harvested and carefully secured over the exposed roots using human hair-thin micro-sutures. Positioned to maximize blood supply and blend naturally.


04

Healing

The graft integrates fully over 2–4 weeks. Sutures are removed at 1–2 weeks. Final root coverage assessment is documented at your 3-month checkpoint. Palates heal within 2–3 weeks.


Precise gum grafting — to restore your gum line and protect your long-term oral health

In-office grafting procedures

We perform standard soft-tissue grafting entirely in-office — no third-party periodontist referral or unfamiliar clinic visits needed. Your trusted care team manages every phase.

Microsurgical technique focus

We leverage magnification loops, human hair-thin sutures, and delicate instruments to minimize tissue trauma, drastically reduce donor site discomfort, and maximize graft survival rates.

Natural-looking smile results

A beautifully executed connective tissue graft integrates flawlessly with surrounding fields — restoring your thick gum band as if recession never occurred.

Real Patient Feedback

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Frequently Asked Grafting Questions
Advanced local anesthesia is used across both sites — you will feel mild touch pressure but zero pain during the appointment. Post-operative soreness at the palate donor site for several days is the most common complaint, which is easily managed with standard prescribed or OTC pain relievers.
 
In highly favorable cases, complete 100% root coverage is entirely achievable. In advanced recession scenarios with pre-existing bone loss, partial coverage is standard — which still successfully thickens the tissue band, reduces root sensitivity, and halts further breakdown.
 
Yes. A custom connective tissue graft integrates into surrounding fields over a few months, matching the color depth and texture of your natural gums. Minor coloration variations may exist early on but fade completely during maturation.
 
The main recipient site heals securely over 2 to 4 weeks, while the palate donor site skins over within 2 weeks. Micro-sutures are removed comfortably at your 1-to-2 week follow-up slot, and a final maturity check is completed at 3 months.
 
Coverage depends entirely on your clinical diagnosis. Grafting to treat structural deficiencies or severe recession fields is frequently covered as a major periodontal procedure. Purely cosmetic treatments are typically elective. We directly verify your PPO insurance limits beforehand.
Related services

Scaling & root planing

Treating underlying subgingival infections and plaque biofilms before or alongside grafting is essential — grafts placed on actively infected roots will fail.

Osseous surgery

For patients managing combined bone loss and root exposure, tissue modifications can be coordinated alongside osseous corrections.

Periodontal maintenance

Supportive cleaning therapy every 90 to 120 days protects your graft investment and monitors for any recurrence of recession.

Recession doesn't reverse itself — but we can reverse it for you. Schedule your gum grafting evaluation at Mosinee Smiles Dental.