You might need to undergo surgery if you’re suffering from gum recession. The said dental problem involves the pulling away of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. This process, which happens gradually as you age, exposes more of the tooth or the tooth’s root.

Gum recession will make it hard to smile as an exposed root can be ugly to look at. It can also cause tooth sensitivity. If not managed, gum recession can lead to tooth loss.

Before that happens, know about the gum recession surgery cost and seek medical help

Average Gum Recession Surgery Cost

It is difficult to set the average cost of gum graft as the price will depend on the following factors:

• Your location
• Some locations have more expensive dental costs than others. Typically, the prices are higher in urban areas.
• Your dental center
• Not all dental centers are created equal. Some will charge higher due to their “state-of-the-art” facilities.
• How much work your dentist has to do
• You’d likely pay more if the gum recession is severe and involves more than one tooth. Obviously, your dentist will take longer to finish the procedure.
• However, it does not necessarily mean that the more damage, the more expenses you’ll have. The more teeth to repair, the lower the cost per tooth should be.
• Your insurance plan
• Will your insurance cover all of the expenses or just part of it? How much are your deductibles and copays? What are the policies of the company regarding the coverage of the gum grafting procedure? The answers to these questions will determine your out-of-pocket costs.

Sample Average Cost Of Gum Graft

Factors aside, can you have at least an idea of how much does gum grafting cost? Well, based on prices posted online, the procedure ranges from about $700 to $2,000 and up. That’s the amount per tooth. Yes, you will pay for each of them.

As for the samples:

• One post from RealSelf shows an average price of $1,000 to $2,000 per tooth. The cost, it says, is applicable in both the US and Canada. The answer came from a periodontist.

Aside from the said user’s answer, the website also posted that the average procedure price is $3,100. As for the range, they estimated it at $1,500 to $6,000.

• A private doctor in Florida charges between $600 and $1,200 for a gum graft. This is assuming that you’ll undergo a single procedure in one specific area.

They also offer services related to reshaping the gum around the teeth. A single tooth costs $50 to $350. Doing the multiple front teeth, on the other hand, typically prices at $1,000 to $3,000.

• A blogger who just had a gum grafting surgery this year discussed a little about her experience. She said that she paid $1,500+ for each procedure.

Gum Grafting With Insurance

How much does gum grafting cost if your insurance will back you up? Well, it depends on whether the company will cover your health expenses. Most companies consider the procedure as an elective. That means they will only pay for it if you can prove that the surgery is “medically necessary”.

Basically, you need to call your insurance company to confirm about the coverage.

Money-Saving Tips

What else can you do to reduce the dental costs aside from insurance? Here are some tips:

• Get a second or third opinion
• Your dentist might tell you to undergo gum grafting right away at the first sign of recession. But is it really necessary to opt for a surgery immediately? If you’re not sure, it will be better to get a second opinion.
• If it’s only a moderate recession, some doctors will not recommend gum grafting right away. Some prefer observing your condition for several days. This method usually applies to patients who are not yet suffering from tooth sensitivity.
  • Optimize your treatment plan

• The overall cost will be higher if you need gum grafting in more than one area. If this is the case, you can ask your dentist what part needs the procedure the most and start from there.
• A gum recession progresses slowly. That said, you can delay the treatment of other areas so you can first save money before you proceed to another surgery.
  • Opt for another procedure
• Your dentist can decide if you can opt for the filling of your tooth instead of grafting. Ask at least two experts to help you with your decision.

What To Expect

What should you expect during the gum grafting surgery? Know that there are three types of procedures your doctor might perform on you. These include:

• Connective tissue grafts
• Your surgeon will cut a flap of skin from the roof of your mouth. They will also remove a tissue from under the flap and stitch it to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root.
  • Free gingival grafts
• Your surgeon will remove a small amount of tissue directly from the roof of the mouth and then attach it to the gum area they are treating.
• This method is often applied to those who have thin gums.
  • Pedicle grafts
• In this procedure, the surgeon grafts from the gum around or near the tooth that needs repair.
• This method is only applicable to people who have plenty of gum tissue near their tooth.

After the surgery, expect the following:

• Generally, you can go home after you’re done with the procedure.
• Your doctor should give you instructions on aftercare, including proper diet, physical activity, and medications.
• You should observe a soft diet for a week or two.
• You should feel little or no discomfort if your surgeon didn’t remove any tissue from your palate.
• If a tissue is removed from your palate, you will feel uncomfortable for a few days. It may take a week or two for your mouth to fully recover.
• Though the full recovery can last as long as two weeks, you can return to your normal activities the day after your surgery.

A gum grafting surgery proves to be expensive. So, before you suffer from some serious recession, it will be more cost-effective to take care of your gums before it’s too late. May you always own a healthy smile!