Gum Grafting & Periodontal Microsurgery in Denver & Westminster, CO

Your gums are the foundation of a healthy, beautiful smile, protecting the roots of your teeth, preserving bone, and shaping how your smile looks. When gums recede from periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, or natural changes over time, gum grafting is the only way to restore that lost tissue and relieve sensitivity and root exposure. For smiles that show too much gum or teeth that look short or uneven, gingival recontouring reshapes the gumline for better balance and proportion—on its own or in preparation for crowns and veneers. Using advanced periodontal microsurgery and biologics, our Denver and Westminster doctors treat each case with precision, faster healing, and less discomfort.

Why Your Gums Matter

Periodontists are experts in periodontal plastic surgery, and for good reason—the gums are just as important as the teeth. Healthy gum tissue:

Protects the roots of your teeth, insulating them from temperature and cavities
Preserves the bone that supports your teeth
Frames your smile, giving your teeth balanced, natural proportions

When gums recede, roots become exposed and teeth can look longer or "toothier," leading to sensitivity and esthetic concerns—all of which periodontal plastic surgery can correct.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gums naturally recede a little with age, but the process can speed up for several reasons:

Periodontal disease and the bone loss that comes with it
Aggressive or improper toothbrushing
Tooth position relative to the underlying jawbone
Natural changes in your anatomy over time

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting restores tissue where the gums have pulled back, protecting exposed roots and rebuilding a healthy, stable gumline.

Understanding your gum tissue

Your mouth has two types of gum tissue: keratinized (working) tissue and nonkeratinized (nonworking) tissue. An easy way to picture it—keratinized tissue is like the thicker, tougher skin on your palm, while nonkeratinized tissue is like the looser, more movable skin on the back of your hand. Some teeth need more of that thicker, protective working tissue around them; others simply need the tissue lifted and repositioned higher where the root meets the crown.

Your grafting options

We offer several grafting approaches and will help you choose the right one for your situation:

Your own tissue, traditionally taken from the roof of your mouth (palate)
Palate-free grafting, using donated, processed tissue so there's no second surgical site in your mouth
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), which uses your body's own healing factors to support recovery

We use advanced microsurgical techniques and biologics to encourage faster healing and reduce post-operative discomfort. Drs. Kyle Diehl, Claire Coleman, and Samantha Campbell are highly skilled microsurgeons with a critical eye for esthetics, so your results look natural and hold up over time.

Gingival Recontouring

Sometimes there's too much of a good thing. If your smile feels too "gummy," or your teeth look short or unbalanced, gingival recontouring reshapes the gumline to frame your teeth in their ideal proportions. It can be done on its own or in preparation for crowns, veneers, or other restorations.

A few things to know:

In some cases, a small amount of underlying bone is adjusted so the excess gum tissue doesn't grow back and your results stay stable long term.
For a gummy smile caused by an overactive upper lip, Botox or another neurotoxin can be placed in the muscles that lift the lip to gently reduce gum display.

What to Expect & Healing

Because we work with high magnification and minimally invasive microsurgical techniques, most patients experience precise results, faster healing, and less discomfort than they expect. We'll give you clear, personalized aftercare instructions, and sedation options are available if you'd like added comfort during your procedure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is gum grafting the only way to fix receding gums?

Yes—once gum tissue has receded, grafting is the only way to restore it. Catching recession early gives us the most options, so it's worth having it evaluated sooner rather than later.

Do you have to take tissue from the roof of my mouth?

Not always. Palate-free options using donated, processed tissue—and PRF from your own body—let us avoid a second surgical site in many cases. We'll walk you through what's best for you.

Will my gum graft look natural?

That's the goal. Our doctors are trained microsurgeons with a strong esthetic focus, shaping and blending tissue so your gumline looks natural and balanced.

Can you fix a "gummy" smile?

Yes. Gingival recontouring reshapes the gumline for better proportions, and in some cases Botox is used to relax the muscles that lift the upper lip. Sometimes a small bone adjustment keeps the result stable.

Does gum surgery hurt?

Most patients are surprised by how comfortable recovery is. Our microsurgical techniques and biologics reduce post-operative discomfort, and sedation is available if you'd like it.