Receding gums leave the roots of your teeth exposed, which can make them sensitive, make teeth look longer and leave them easier to damage. A gum graft covers those roots with healthy tissue. At Spring Hope Family Dentistry, gum grafts are done by periodontist Dr. Jackson Sides, our specialist on board, right here in our office on the last Friday of every month. No outside referral needed.
Signs your gums are receding
Gum recession is easy to miss because it happens slowly and usually does not hurt at first. Watch for:
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- A notch or ledge you can feel where the tooth meets the gum
- Sensitivity to cold, sweets or brushing near the gumline
- A darker, yellower band at the base of a tooth, which is the root showing
- Food catching in new places, or gums that bleed when you brush
Common causes include gum disease, brushing too hard, naturally thin gum tissue, grinding or clenching, and crowded or misaligned teeth. We check your gums at your checkups, so if you have been told your gums are pulling back, those records are where Dr. Sides starts.
What a gum graft does
Gum tissue that has pulled back does not grow back on its own. A graft adds healthy tissue where the gum is thin or missing. Depending on your case, that can:
- Cover exposed roots so they are protected again.
- Ease sensitivity from roots that are exposed to cold and brushing.
- Thicken thin gums so recession is less likely to keep going.
- Even out the gumline when recession makes some teeth look longer than others.
There is more than one way to do a gum graft. The most common approaches use a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth, and some cases can use donor tissue instead. Dr. Sides explains which approach fits your gums, and why, before anything is scheduled.
If gum disease is behind the recession, we treat that first, with a deep cleaning, Arestin or LANAP laser therapy, so the graft heals on healthy ground. See all of our gum disease treatment options.
What to expect, from consult to healed
- 1
Consult with Dr. Sides. He examines and measures your gums, reviews your x-rays and explains your options. You will know the plan and the cost before anything is scheduled.
- 2
Graft day. The area is fully numbed, and laughing gas or oral sedation is available if you are nervous. Most grafts are done in a single visit.
- 3
The first couple of weeks. Expect some tenderness and swelling for a few days. You will eat soft foods, leave the graft area alone when you brush until we say otherwise, and follow the care instructions we send home with you.
- 4
Follow-ups and full healing. We check the graft at follow-up visits, and the new tissue keeps maturing over the next few months. Your regular cleanings and checkups stay with the same team.
Graft visits are booked on Dr. Sides’ Friday in Spring Hope, the last Friday of every month.
A periodontist near Rocky Mount and Wilson, without the referral
Seeing a periodontist usually means a referral, a new office and a drive to a bigger city. Dr. Sides comes to us instead. He sees patients at our Spring Hope office on the last Friday of every month, about 15 minutes from Rocky Mount on US-64, 10 minutes from Nashville and about 20 minutes from Wilson. You do not need a referral, your records are already here, and your cleanings and checkups stay with Dr. Abboud, Dr. Hilary and the same hygiene team.
Your gum specialist: Dr. Jackson Sides, DDS, MS
Dr. Sides is a periodontist: a dentist with three more years of specialty training in gum disease, gum recession, the bone around your teeth and dental implants.
- Doctor of Dental Surgery from the UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, graduated with honors, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Three-year periodontics residency at UT Health San Antonio, with a Master of Science and a certificate in periodontics. His training covered gum grafting, microsurgery, bone grafting, dental implants and gum disease.
- 2026 American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award
Gum graft cost and insurance
The cost depends on how many teeth need grafting and which approach fits your gums, so you get your exact price at the consult, in writing, before anything is scheduled. Many dental plans cover part of periodontal care, but it depends on your plan. We file your insurance for you, and financing is available through Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral for a gum graft?
No. Call and ask for a consult with Dr. Sides, or Dr. Abboud or Dr. Hilary will point it out at your checkup if your gums would benefit from a graft.
When is Dr. Sides in Spring Hope?
The last Friday of every month. Call (252) 478-3422 to ask about his next opening.
Does a gum graft hurt?
The area is fully numbed during the graft, so you feel pressure rather than pain. Most people describe a few tender days afterward. Laughing gas and oral sedation are available if you are nervous.
Can receding gums grow back on their own?
No. Once gum tissue pulls back, it does not grow back by itself. Treating the cause can keep it from getting worse, and a graft can cover roots that are already exposed.
How long does it take to heal from a gum graft?
The first week or two is the tender part, with soft foods and extra care around the graft. The new tissue keeps maturing over the next few months, and we check it at follow-up visits.
Is a gum graft covered by insurance?
Many dental plans cover part of periodontal care, but it depends on your plan. We file your insurance for you and give you your exact price before anything is scheduled.
Is a gum graft the same as LANAP?
No. LANAP is a laser treatment for gum disease, aimed at deep pockets around the teeth. A graft adds gum tissue where it is thin or has pulled back. Some patients need one, some need the other, and some need both. Dr. Sides will tell you which fits your gums.
Do you see gum graft patients from Rocky Mount and Wilson?
Yes. Our office is about 15 minutes from Rocky Mount on US-64 and about 20 minutes from Wilson, and you do not need a referral to see Dr. Sides.
Book a Gum Graft Consult With Dr. Sides
Call us and we will find you a spot on his next Friday in Spring Hope. No outside referral needed.