Gum Recession Treatment in Fort Collins, CO

Gum recession treatment stops your gums from pulling back further, covers exposed roots, and restores a healthy gumline. As a periodontist, Dr. Livingston specializes in exactly this — the full range of options from non-surgical deep cleaning to soft tissue grafting. If you have noticed your teeth looking longer or feeling more sensitive, this page explains what your options are.

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession happens when the tissue surrounding your teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing the tooth root below the gumline. Once gum tissue is gone, it does not grow back on its own.

Exposed roots are more vulnerable to decay and infection than the crown of the tooth. They are also more sensitive, particularly to cold drinks, cold air, and sweet foods. Left untreated, recession continues to progress and can eventually threaten the tooth itself.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Recession has several causes, and identifying the right one matters — because the treatment depends on it.

Gum disease (periodontitis) is the most common cause. The bacteria in infected pockets destroy the gum tissue and underlying bone over time, causing the gumline to drop.

Brushing too hard wears away gum tissue gradually, especially if you use a medium or firm-bristle toothbrush. This type of recession typically shows up on the outer surface of front teeth.

Thin gum tissue — some people are born with very little gum tissue to begin with. Thin tissue is more fragile and recedes more easily than thick tissue, even with careful brushing.

Teeth grinding or clenching puts excess pressure on teeth and the surrounding tissue, contributing to recession over time.

Teeth positioned outside the bone — a tooth that erupts too far forward in the jaw sits outside the natural arch of bone. Without bone support on the outer side, the gum has nothing to hold it in place.

Tobacco use reduces blood flow to gum tissue, slowing healing and accelerating recession.

Dr. Livingston identifies the underlying cause at your evaluation. Treating recession without addressing the cause leads to it coming back.

Treatment Options for Receding Gums

There is no single treatment for gum recession. The right option depends on how severe the recession is, what caused it, and the current condition of your gum tissue.

Non-Surgical Treatment: Scaling and Root Planing

When recession is caused by gum disease and caught at an early stage, non-surgical treatment can stop it from progressing. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that removes bacteria and buildup from below the gumline, reducing the infection driving the recession.

This does not regenerate tissue that has already been lost, but it stops further loss and creates the conditions for healing. For patients with mild recession and active gum disease, this is the first step before any grafting is considered.

Soft Tissue Graft (Gingival Graft)

Gum grafting is the standard surgical treatment for gum recession. It is the most predictable, long-lasting option available, and the one most periodontists — including Dr. Livingston — use most often.

The procedure takes tissue, usually from the roof of your mouth, and places it over the exposed root to restore the gumline. Depending on your situation, three graft types may be used: connective tissue graft, free gingival graft, or pedicle graft.

For a full breakdown of which graft type is right for your situation, see our tissue grafting candidacy guide.

Recovery from gum grafting takes 2 to 4 weeks for soft tissue healing. Most patients return to desk work the following day. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see what to expect during and after tissue graft surgery.

Pinhole Surgical Technique

The Pinhole Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional grafting. Rather than harvesting tissue from the palate, the existing gum tissue is repositioned through a small pinhole opening and held in place with collagen strips.

It requires no sutures and recovery is faster than a traditional graft. It works best for patients with mild to moderate recession across multiple teeth. Ask Dr. Livingston at your consultation whether you are a candidate.

How Much Does Gum Recession Treatment Cost?

Cost varies based on the treatment type, the number of teeth involved, and whether grafting is needed.

Scaling and root planing: Most dental insurance plans cover this as a medically necessary procedure when gum disease is present. Out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan and the number of teeth treated.

Gum graft surgery: The national average for gum graft surgery is approximately $2,700 per area, with a typical range of $2,100 to $5,000 depending on the complexity. Gum grafting is often covered partially by dental insurance when it is done to treat recession causing tooth damage or significant sensitivity.

At your consultation, our team reviews your insurance coverage and gives you a clear out-of-pocket estimate before anything is scheduled. Financing options are also available.

Recovery After Gum Recession Treatment

Recovery from gum grafting is manageable for most patients. The first 2 to 3 days involve soreness at both the graft site and the roof of the mouth. Most patients are back to normal activity within a week and eating normally within two weeks.

Key recovery guidelines: - Soft foods for the first week (yogurt, eggs, smoothies, mashed potatoes) - No vigorous rinsing for the first 24 hours - Gentle brushing near the graft site with a soft-bristle brush - Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods for two weeks

For a detailed day-by-day recovery timeline and full aftercare instructions, see [what to expect during tissue graft surgery and recovery].

Why See a Periodontist for Gum Recession?

General dentists can diagnose recession, but treating it — especially surgically — is a periodontist’s specialty. Periodontists complete an additional three years of residency training after dental school focused entirely on the gums, bone, and supporting structures of the teeth.

Dr. Livingston is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology and has performed gum grafting procedures throughout his career in Fort Collins. He handles both the surgical treatment and the long-term periodontal maintenance that keeps results stable over time.

If your general dentist has referred you to a periodontist for receding gums, that referral is appropriate — this is exactly the type of case periodontists are trained to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can receding gums be reversed? Gum tissue that has already receded cannot grow back on its own. Gum grafting can restore the gumline by adding new tissue over the exposed root, but it does not regenerate the original gum tissue. What it does do is stop further recession and protect the root from damage. The earlier recession is treated, the smaller and simpler the graft needed.

What is the best treatment for gum recession? It depends on the cause and severity. For recession caused by active gum disease, scaling and root planing is the first step. For recession that has already caused root exposure, a soft tissue graft (gingival graft) is the most predictable and long-lasting treatment available. Dr. Livingston determines the right approach at your evaluation after measuring recession depth and identifying the underlying cause.

Is gum grafting painful? The procedure itself is done under local anesthetic — you will feel pressure but not pain. Post-operative soreness lasts 2 to 3 days and is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief for most patients. The harvest site on the roof of the mouth is often more uncomfortable than the graft site, but both heal quickly.

How long does gum recession treatment take to heal? Soft tissue heals within 2 to 4 weeks after a gum graft. Most patients feel back to normal within 7 to 10 days. The final appearance of the gumline — the settled, healed result — is visible at around 4 to 6 weeks.

What causes gum recession to get worse? Recession progresses when the underlying cause is not addressed. Untreated gum disease, continued aggressive brushing, ongoing grinding without a night guard, and smoking all cause recession to worsen over time. After treatment, Dr. Livingston places most patients on a 3-to-4-month periodontal maintenance schedule to keep things stable.

How do I know if I need a gum graft? A periodontal evaluation will tell you. Dr. Livingston measures recession depth, evaluates root exposure, and assesses tissue thickness. Patients with recession deeper than 2 to 3 mm, visible root exposure, or significant tooth sensitivity are typically candidates for grafting. Some patients with minimal recession and no symptoms only need monitoring and a change in brushing technique.

Schedule a Consultation

If your gums are receding or you have been told you need to see a periodontist, the sooner you have an evaluation the simpler your treatment options will be. Early-stage recession needs a smaller graft with a shorter recovery.

Call Dr. Livingston at (970) 221-2444 or book a consultation online. We will measure your recession, identify the cause, and walk you through the treatment that fits your specific situation.

Fort Collins Periodontics and Dental Implants 1136 E Stuart St, Bldg. 4, Suite 103 Fort Collins, CO 80525 Tuesday–Thursday: 8am–5pm | Friday: 8am–2pm