Gum Graft
In Louisville, KY
Gum recession occurs when the protective tissue surrounding your teeth wears away, pulling back and leaving the vulnerable tooth root uncovered. Exposed roots are highly susceptible to tooth decay, bacterial plaque buildup, and progressive bone loss. Leaving thinned gums left untreated can eventually compromise the stability of your teeth, leading to loose teeth or early tooth loss. Gum grafting provides a direct solution by rebuilding receding gums with a tissue graft.
Traditional gum grafts use tissue taken from the roof of your mouth to rebuild the gums, creating two surgical sites and resulting in a more involved recovery. To provide a smoother treatment experience, our double-board-certified periodontal specialist, Dr. Ryan Clagett, pioneered a technique called SAMRI, which uses a tiny entry point to introduce donated tissue beneath the gums without an incision. Patients from Louisville and beyond trust Dr. Clagett and the Derby City Dental Specialists team to provide elite periodontal care with a focus on comfort, safety, and long-lasting results. Schedule your consultation today to get started on rebuilding your oral health.
Rebuilds lost gum tissue, covers an exposed tooth root, and shields teeth from decay
Eliminates painful tooth sensitivity, stops progressive recession, and prevents further damage and tooth loss
Most patients experience minimal irritation and return to their routines within one to two days
Creates a thick band of healthy gum tissue designed to protect your smile for decades
A gum graft is a specialized periodontal treatment that adds thick, protective tissue to areas where receding gums have left a tooth root bare. Traditional methods typically require harvesting tissue from your palate, which involves cutting a small piece from the roof of the mouth and often causes significant post-surgery discomfort. However, Dr. Clagett's modern techniques rely on processed, donated tissue from a secure tissue bank, which is grafted into thinning areas through a tiny entry point, eliminating the need for a larger incision.
Traditional flap surgery requires a periodontist to cut and peel back a significant portion of your healthy gum tissue to access a receding area. In contrast, Dr. Ryan Clagett's signature SAMRI technique (Side Access Mucosal Releasing Incision) utilizes an incredibly tiny, hidden entry point away from your visible smile line to gently slide donor tissue under the gums. This advanced approach avoids creating a secondary wound on your palate, protects your natural blood supply, and minimizes tissue trauma, staying true to our core philosophy of achieving superior results with far less surgery.
Minimally invasive gum graft surgery is performed with local anesthesia, with additional sedation available to keep you comfortable. Once the targeted gum area is numb, Dr. Clagett uses the Side Access Mucosal Releasing Incision (SAMRI) technique to access the area of gum recession through a tiny, hidden entry point. The donated tissue is gently slid into place beneath the thinned gums, providing a new blood supply and framing the exposed root. This technique eliminates the need for stitches, helping you resume your normal routine sooner. The procedure typically takes around 30-90 minutes to complete, after which you can return home to recover.
Gum grafting directly treats severe gum recession caused by naturally thin gums, aggressive brushing habits, or chronic gum disease. It resolves tooth sensitivity that can make eating your favorite foods painful and halts the progressive bone loss and root exposure that follow chronic inflammation. It also prevents the early stages of root decay, protecting your smile from serious structural damage.
A gum grafting treatment relieves pain caused by exposed tooth roots coming into contact with hot or cold foods and drinks. By shielding the bare tooth root, the procedure also prevents plaque and tartar from eroding the vulnerable underlying bone. Dr. Clagett's signature SAMRI technique, using donor tissue, provides a minimally invasive treatment experience with no incisions on the roof of your mouth. This advanced technique ensures a much shorter healing time, keeping your natural teeth healthy and strong for years to come.
Gum recession affects 4% to 12% of adults. If you have receding gums or are struggling with sensitive teeth, gum grafting may be recommended to stop active damage and protect your teeth from advanced bone loss. While conditions such as active gum disease must be treated first, your overall medical history will be thoroughly reviewed during your initial visit to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Dr. Clagett will carefully evaluate the density of your tissues to confirm that donor tissue is the ideal choice for your needs.
For the first few days after your treatment, you will need to rest and follow a simple diet of soft foods such as smoothies, yogurt, and lukewarm soups. It is important to eat soft, cool foods and avoid sharp, crunchy, or hot foods that could irritate the delicate surgical site. Our Louisville team will provide specific instructions, including how to use a special mouth rinse to keep the gum area completely clean without brushing the tissue directly during the early healing phase. Dr. Clagett's minimally invasive surgical techniques promote a quicker, more comfortable recovery, allowing you to return to your routine sooner.
Within a few weeks of your treatment, the thinned tissue will look noticeably thicker, and the exposed roots will be safely covered by a healthy gum line. The chronic tooth sensitivity you used to feel when drinking cold water or brushing will begin to fade away.
Because our advanced method encourages your body to form a natural blood supply around the graft, these improvements are built to last for a lifetime. The long-term success of your results depends heavily on maintaining good oral hygiene and practicing gentle brushing techniques at home. By keeping your teeth clean and using gentle methods to clean around your gums, you can protect your investment and look forward to a vibrant smile that stays strong.
Rebuilding a fragile gum line requires advanced periodontal experience and surgical precision. Dr. Ryan Clagett focuses on advanced periodontal treatments to deliver exceptional care to patients from Louisville and beyond. True to our practice philosophy of achieving better results with less surgery, he developed the innovative SAMRI technique to completely eliminate the need for painful tissue cutting on the palate. At Derby City Dental, you are supported by a compassionate team dedicated to your comfort and long-term success.
A traditional connective tissue graft is the most common treatment used by many periodontists, in which a small flap is partially cut on the roof of your mouth to harvest tissue from beneath it. A free gingival graft takes a small amount of surface tissue directly from the palate to thicken naturally thin gums. Our practice avoids both of these traditional, uncomfortable tissue-harvesting techniques by using premium donated tissue, giving you beautiful results without a painful second surgical site.
Pedicle grafts involve pulling a small piece of healthy gum tissue from a neighboring tooth and sliding it over the exposed root, keeping one edge attached to maintain its original blood supply. While this method can be highly effective, it requires you to have a large amount of thick, extra tissue on the adjacent teeth. If your surrounding teeth also possess thin gums or mild recession, utilizing advanced donor tissue is a much safer and more predictable option for your mouth.
Costs vary based on the type of grafting technique used, how many teeth require treatment, and the depth of your recession. Because every care plan is fully individualized, we provide a transparent, detailed cost estimate during your initial visit so you can plan ahead. We accept flexible payment options to ensure this essential health treatment fits into your budget.
While a general dentist can provide a standard professional cleaning and spot early signs of recession, advanced tissue regeneration is a specialized field within periodontics. Dr. Clagett undergoes years of rigorous, residency-level surgical training to master the delicate handling of oral tissues and bone. Seeking care from Dr. Clagett, who pioneered the SAMRI technique, ensures your procedure utilizes the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques available today for maximum predictability and long-term success.
