Periodontics
Soft Tissue Grafts in Los Angeles
Gum does not grow back on its own.
Recession exposes the root of the tooth, and unlike enamel a root has no protection. Grafting rebuilds the tissue that has gone. Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry treats it as a structural problem, not a cosmetic one.
Why it matters
Why exposed roots matter
The crown of a tooth is covered in enamel. The root is not — it is softer, it decays more readily, and it is the reason a receded area becomes sensitive to cold. So recession is not simply a change in how a tooth looks; it uncovers a part of the tooth that was never built to be in the mouth. It also tends to continue once it has started, and it can take supporting bone with it as it goes. Gum does not grow back on its own, which is the fact that decides everything else here: waiting to see whether it settles is not one of the options, because the tissue that has gone is not coming back unaided.
- Sensitivity Often the first thing people notice, particularly to cold.
- Root decay An exposed root surface is more vulnerable than enamel to decay.
- Progression Recession rarely stays where it is, and grafting is what stops it.
- Appearance Teeth that look longer than they did, unevenly across the smile.
What the graft does
What the graft does
Tissue is placed over the exposed area and secured so that it integrates and covers the root. The purpose is protection and stability; the cosmetic improvement is real but is the by-product rather than the aim.
Why the recession happened
Treating the graft without treating the cause is how it recurs. Gum disease is one common driver, and periodontitis is dealt with first. Grinding is another — see night guards. Brushing technique is a third, and we will go through it with you.
Related procedures
Gum contouring reshapes tissue where there is too much of it; grafting adds tissue where there is too little. Crown lengthening deliberately exposes more tooth, which is the opposite intent again.
Soft Tissue Graft FAQ
- Why does receded gum need treating?
- The exposed root has no enamel, so it is more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity — and recession tends to keep going once it starts.
- Will my gum grow back without surgery?
- No. Gum tissue does not regenerate over an exposed root on its own.
- Is it a cosmetic procedure?
- The appearance improves, but the purpose is protecting the root and halting the recession.
- What caused it?
- Commonly gum disease, grinding, or brushing technique. Treating the cause is part of the plan, or the recession returns.
