A gum graft costs $600 to $1,200 per tooth in 2026, or $1,000 to $3,000 or more when several teeth are treated in one session. A gum graft (gingival graft) rebuilds gum tissue that has receded — pulling back and exposing the tooth root — to stop sensitivity, decay, and further gum and bone loss.
This guide covers what drives the price, when insurance helps, and — because not all recession needs surgery — how to tell whether you truly need a graft yet.
Gum graft cost by type
| Graft type | Typical cost per tooth | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Connective tissue graft | $600 – $1,200 | The most common; tissue taken from under the palate surface |
| Free gingival graft | $600 – $1,200 | Surface tissue from the palate; for thickening thin gums |
| Pedicle (lateral) graft | $700 – $1,300 | Tissue moved from gum next to the receded area |
| Donor/allograft tissue | $700 – $1,400 | Processed donor tissue — no second surgical site |
| Pinhole technique | $800 – $1,500 | Minimally invasive, no palate cutting; easier recovery |
Treating multiple adjacent teeth together lowers the per-tooth cost, since much of the fee is the surgical setup. A periodontist (gum specialist) typically charges more than a general dentist but is the usual provider for grafting.
What affects the price
- Number of teeth. The biggest factor — one tooth versus a group in one session.
- Graft source. Using your own palate tissue means a second surgical site; donor tissue avoids that and can change the price.
- Technique. The pinhole method and specialist care sit at the higher end.
- Provider and region. Periodontists and coastal metros price higher, as everywhere in dentistry.
Do you need a graft yet?
Recession is common, and not every case needs surgery right away. A graft is genuinely warranted when recession is:
- Causing root sensitivity or exposing root surfaces to decay
- Progressing over time (compared against past records)
- Approaching the point of bone loss or tooth instability
For mild, stable recession, monitoring plus a gentler brushing technique is sometimes enough — because over-aggressive brushing is a leading cause of recession. Ask your dentist: “Is this progressing, and what happens if we monitor it a while longer?” When recession is genuinely advancing, though, grafting early keeps it to fewer teeth and a lower cost.
Gum graft cost with insurance
When medically necessary — treating recession that causes sensitivity, decay risk, or bone loss rather than cosmetics — dental plans often cover gum grafts at around 50% under periodontal/surgical benefits, within the annual maximum. Purely cosmetic grafting (for a “gummy” or uneven smile line with no functional problem) is less likely to be covered.
To maximize coverage: have the office document the recession (measurements, photos) and file a pre-treatment estimate establishing medical necessity.
5 debt-free ways to pay less
- Dental school periodontics clinics perform gum grafts at 40–60% off under faculty supervision — the best value for specialist gum surgery.
- Treat early, treat fewer teeth. Advancing recession spreads to more teeth; grafting sooner keeps the total down.
- Ask about donor tissue to avoid a second (palate) surgical site — sometimes cheaper overall and always easier to recover from.
- Community health centers offer income-based sliding-scale periodontal care.
- HSA/FSA and cash-pay discounts apply — medically necessary grafting is a qualified expense.
Preventing recession (the free part)
The cheapest gum care is not needing the graft in the first place — or not needing a second one. Recession is driven by aggressive brushing, gum disease, grinding, and smoking. So the prevention toolkit costs almost nothing: a soft-bristled brush and gentle technique, treating gum disease early, a night guard if you grind (see our night guard cost guide), and not smoking. Pair a graft with these habits and it’s a one-time fix rather than a recurring expense.
What to expect
A gum graft is a single outpatient surgery under local anesthetic, usually taking under an hour for one or a few teeth. Recovery takes a week or two — soft foods and careful cleaning of the area — with more discomfort if palate tissue was used (the donor site heals like a pizza burn). Results are both protective and cosmetic: covered roots, less sensitivity, and a halt to the recession. For the related gum-disease treatment that often accompanies recession, see our deep cleaning cost guide.