Gum Grafting Mountlake Terrace | Dr. Ellie Javadi
Do you notice bleeding when you brush your teeth? Receding gums do more than hurt, they put your teeth at risk. If your gums are pulling away, you might have sensitive roots, teeth looking longer, or even small gaps forming at the gumline. Left unchecked, recession can lead to faster decay, bone loss, and loose teeth.
At Orchid Periodontics & Dental Implants in Mountlake Terrace, board-certified periodontist Dr. Ellie Javadi specializes in gentle gum grafting to rebuild tissue, protect your teeth, and stop further damage. A Seattle Met “Top Dentist” and microsurgery educator with two decades of experience, Dr. Javadi merges CBCT-guided planning, hair-fine sutures, and optional IV or oral sedation to achieve predictable results with minimal downtime.
What Drives Gum Recession?
Years of subtle wear can erode the gum edge, leaving the roots unprotected. Common factors include:
- Overbrushing with stiff bristles
- Untreated periodontal infection
- Naturally thin or delicate gum biotype
- Past orthodontic tooth movement
- Tooth grinding or lip piercings that irritate the tissue
Ignoring recession can lead to cavities, temperature sensitivity, and eventual tooth loss. For Mountlake patients, a grafting treatment can help rebuild the barrier before bigger problems emerge.
Gum Grafting Options in Mountlake Terrace
To restore receding gums, Dr. Javadi uses two specialized grafting techniques at Orchid Periodontics & Dental Implants. The method depends on your unique case, whether you need minimal reinforcement or more extensive coverage.
Gingival (Free) Graft — for early, localized recession: When gums are merely thinning but roots are still covered, Dr. Javadi harvests a narrow, firm strip of tissue from the palate and sutures it along the receding edge. The graft immediately thickens the gum band, strengthens its attachment, and stops further downward creep before it can reach the root surface.
Soft-Tissue/Connective-Tissue Graft — for exposed roots or several teeth: If recession has already uncovered the root or affects several teeth, a connective-tissue graft offers broader protection. Using either your sub-epithelial layer or a sterile donor matrix, Dr. Javadi drapes the new tissue over the exposed roots, sealing sensitive nerves, discouraging tartar buildup, and restoring a smooth, even gumline.
What to Expect on Gum-Graft Day
Gum graft surgery is typically completed in a single appointment, utilizing a standardized, evidence-based protocol. Each stage ensures precision, safety, and patient comfort.
- Personalized Planning – Dr. Javadi reviews digital scans, confirms recession depth, and explains the selected grafting technique and anesthesia plan.
- Targeted Local Anesthesia – The treatment area is fully numbed; a small recipient pouch is created to receive the graft.
- Tissue Harvest or Donor Preparation – A thin layer of connective tissue is obtained from the palate or a pre-sterilized donor matrix is prepared, depending on clinical requirements.
- Precise Graft Placement and Micro-Suturing – The graft is contoured to match the recession pattern and secured with ultrafine, dissolvable sutures that support rapid tissue integration.
- Post-Operative Instructions and Direct Contact – Before discharge, the team provides written guidelines for rinsing, diet, and activity, as well as a direct phone number for any post-operative questions.
Recovery & Home-Care Guidelines
Adherence to the following instructions during the first postoperative week will support your healing and graft stability:
- Diet: For five to seven days, patients should consume only soft, cool, non-spicy foods, such as yogurt, avocado, or blended smoothies, to minimize mechanical trauma to the grafted area.
- Oral hygiene: Mechanical brushing must be avoided at the surgical site. Instead, patients should rinse gently with the prescribed antimicrobial mouthwash. Conventional tooth brushing may resume once Dr. Javadi authorizes it at the first follow-up appointment.
- Physical activity: Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be deferred for at least 72 hours to maintain stable blood pressure and minimise the risk of postoperative bleeding. Light walking is permissible and encourages adequate circulation.
- Pain and swelling control: Discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication taken as directed. Application of an external ice pack for ten-minute intervals on the day of surgery will further reduce oedema.
How Much Does Gum Grafting Cost In Mountlake Terrace
The fee for gum grafting in Mountlake Terrace is determined on an individual basis. It reflects the extent of recession, the number of teeth involved, the grafting method required, and any adjunctive procedures, such as deep scaling or minor bone contouring, performed during the same appointment. Following a comprehensive examination, Dr. Javadi prepares a detailed, written estimate that contains each element of treatment, enabling patients to review their anticipated financial commitment in full before scheduling surgery.
Book Your Mountlake Terrace Gum-Graft Consultation
Each day that roots remain exposed increases the likelihood of sensitivity and decay. Call (425) 775-2002 or request an appointment online with Dr Javadi at Orchid Periodontics & Dental Implants in Mountlake Terrace for expert gum-grafting care in Mountlake Terrace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of gum grafting?
The cost of gum grafting typically ranges from $600 to $3,500, varying according to the number of teeth involved, the type of graft material selected, the practice location, and whether additional procedures, such as deep scaling, are performed concurrently.
How many years does gum grafting last?
When performed under healthy periodontal conditions and supported by consistent oral hygiene and professional maintenance, a graft can remain stable for decades; long-term studies commonly report success rates exceeding 90 percent after ten or more years.
Is gum grafting worth the money?
For patients with progressive recession, grafting provides durable root coverage that reduces sensitivity, lowers the risk of root cavities, and improves esthetics. These functional and preventive benefits often outweigh the one-time surgical cost, especially when compared with the expense of treating root decay or replacing compromised teeth later.
Who is not a good candidate for gum grafting?
Individuals with uncontrolled systemic conditions (e.g., poorly managed diabetes), active periodontal infection, heavy smoking habits, or insufficient supporting bone may be advised to postpone or forgo grafting until underlying issues are resolved, as these factors can impede healing and compromise long-term outcomes.
Hours of Operation
Our Regular Schedule
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- wednesday7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- FRIDAY1st & 3rd Friday of the month
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed