A healthy smile isn’t just about beautiful teeth—your gums play an equally important role in both your oral health and the overall appearance of your smile. If you’re unhappy with receding gums or feel that your smile shows too much gum tissue, you may have come across two common periodontal procedures: gum grafting and a gum lift.
Although both procedures involve reshaping or improving the gumline, they are performed for very different reasons. One is designed primarily to restore lost gum tissue and protect your teeth, while the other focuses on creating a more balanced, attractive smile by reshaping excess gum tissue.
At Dr. Bradley Lander Periodontics, we help patients throughout Beverly Hills improve both the health and aesthetics of their smiles with advanced periodontal procedures tailored to their individual needs. Understanding the difference between gum grafting and a gum lift can help you determine which treatment may be right for you. If you’re researching Gum Grafting Beverly Hills, this guide explains how each procedure works, when it’s recommended, and how an experienced periodontist can help you achieve a healthier, more confident smile
Understanding the Difference
Although they both involve the gums, gum grafting and gum lift procedures treat entirely different conditions.
Gum Grafting is performed to rebuild gum tissue that has been lost due to gum recession.
A Gum Lift (also called crown lengthening or gum contouring) removes excess gum tissue to expose more of the natural tooth, improving the appearance of a “gummy smile.”
One procedure adds tissue, while the other removes it.
The best treatment depends entirely on your oral health, gum condition, and cosmetic goals.
What Is Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is a periodontal procedure that restores gum tissue that has receded away from the teeth.
As gums recede, the roots of the teeth become exposed, increasing the risk of:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Root decay
- Further gum recession
- Bone loss
- Tooth loss
- Changes in the appearance of your smile
During gum grafting, healthy tissue is carefully placed over the exposed root surface to rebuild the gumline and protect the tooth.
Modern grafting techniques provide predictable, natural-looking results while improving both comfort and long-term oral health.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Many people assume gum recession is simply a normal part of ageing.
In reality, several factors can contribute to receding gums, including:
- Gum disease (periodontal disease)
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Thin gum tissue
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Misaligned teeth
- Genetics
- Tobacco use
Because gum tissue does not naturally grow back once it has receded, early treatment is important.
Dr. Bradley Lander frequently treats patients whose gum recession could worsen significantly if left untreated.
What Is a Gum Lift?
A gum lift is a cosmetic periodontal procedure that reshapes the gumline by removing excess gum tissue.
Some people naturally have gums that cover too much of their teeth, making the teeth appear short or uneven.
A gum lift creates a more balanced smile by carefully exposing more of the natural tooth surface.
Patients considering a Gum Lift Beverly Hills often want to improve:
- A gummy smile
- Uneven gumlines
- Short-looking teeth
- Smile symmetry
- Overall facial aesthetics
The result is often a brighter, more proportionate smile without changing the actual teeth.
When Is Gum Grafting Recommended?
Gum grafting is usually recommended when gum recession begins affecting either oral health or aesthetics.
Common reasons include:
Tooth Sensitivity
Exposed tooth roots often become extremely sensitive to:
- Cold drinks
- Hot foods
- Sweet foods
- Brushing
Covering the exposed roots helps reduce discomfort.
Preventing Further Damage
Without healthy gum tissue protecting the roots, bacteria can accumulate more easily, increasing the risk of decay and additional periodontal problems.
Improving Appearance
Receding gums can make teeth appear unusually long or uneven.
Gum grafting restores a more natural gumline while improving smile aesthetics.
Supporting Long-Term Oral Health
Healthy gum tissue helps stabilize the teeth and protects the underlying bone from further deterioration.
When Is a Gum Lift Recommended?
Unlike gum grafting, a gum lift is usually performed for cosmetic reasons.
Patients may benefit if they have:
- Excessive gum display when smiling
- Teeth that appear too short
- Uneven gum contours
- A naturally “gummy” smile
In some cases, a gum lift may also be performed before placing crowns or other restorative dental work to expose additional tooth structure.
Gum Grafting vs Gum Lift: What’s the Difference?
| Gum Grafting | Gum Lift |
| Restores lost gum tissue | Removes excess gum tissue |
| Treats gum recession | Treats a gummy smile |
| Protects exposed tooth roots | Improves smile proportions |
| Helps reduce sensitivity | Enhances aesthetics |
| Supports periodontal health | Primarily cosmetic (although sometimes restorative) |
Although these procedures are very different, both require advanced periodontal training to achieve beautiful, healthy, long-lasting results.
What Happens During Gum Grafting?
Every patient receives a personalised treatment plan, but the procedure generally involves:
- Comprehensive examination
- Local anaesthetic for comfort
- Placement of healthy graft tissue
- Securing the graft in position
- Careful monitoring during healing
Depending on your needs, the graft may use:
- Your own tissue
- Donor tissue
- Advanced regenerative materials
Dr. Bradley Lander carefully selects the most appropriate technique for each individual patient to maximise healing and create natural-looking results.
What Happens During a Gum Lift?
A gum lift is typically a straightforward procedure.
After numbing the area, excess gum tissue is carefully reshaped to reveal more of the natural tooth.
Modern techniques allow for:
- Precise contouring
- Minimal discomfort
- Faster healing
- Beautiful cosmetic results
Many patients are surprised by how dramatically a gum lift can transform their smile while preserving a completely natural appearance.
Recovery After Gum Grafting
Healing following gum grafting typically occurs over several weeks.
Most patients experience:
- Mild swelling
- Minor discomfort
- Temporary dietary adjustments
- Excellent healing with proper care
Dr. Bradley Lander provides detailed post-operative instructions to encourage successful healing and long-term stability.
Recovery After a Gum Lift
Recovery following a gum lift is generally quite straightforward.
Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two.
Some temporary tenderness may occur, but this usually resolves quickly as the gums heal.
The final appearance continues to improve as the tissues mature over the following weeks.
Can Both Procedures Improve Your Smile?
Absolutely.
Although their purposes differ, both treatments can significantly enhance smile aesthetics.
Gum Grafting improves:
- Gum symmetry
- Tooth proportions
- Smile harmony
- Root coverage
Gum Lift improves:
- Tooth length
- Smile balance
- Gum symmetry
- Overall facial aesthetics
At Dr. Bradley Lander Periodontics, treatment is never based solely on appearance. Every recommendation is made with both your long-term oral health and cosmetic goals in mind.
Which Procedure Is Right for You?
The answer depends entirely on your individual situation.
If your gums have receded, exposing tooth roots or causing sensitivity, gum grafting is often the appropriate treatment.
If your teeth appear too short because excess gum tissue covers them, a gum lift may produce the results you’re looking for.
Some patients may even benefit from a combination of periodontal procedures to achieve the healthiest and most attractive outcome.
A comprehensive evaluation is the only way to determine which option is best.
Why Choose Dr. Bradley Lander for Periodontal Treatment?
Choosing a specialist in periodontics is one of the most important decisions you can make when considering gum surgery.
Dr. Bradley Lander has extensive experience treating both functional and cosmetic gum concerns using the latest periodontal techniques. Whether you require gum grafting to restore receding gums or a gum lift to improve the appearance of your smile, every treatment plan is customized to your individual needs.
As a specialist in Periodontics Beverly Hills, Dr. Lander focuses on preserving the health of your gums while achieving natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing results. His comprehensive approach combines advanced technology, meticulous surgical techniques, and personalized care to help patients enjoy healthier gums and more confident smiles for years to come.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Bradley Lander
If you’re concerned about receding gums, exposed tooth roots, or a gummy smile, don’t assume there’s nothing that can be done.
Dr. Bradley Lander provides advanced Gum Grafting Beverly Hills procedures as well as cosmetic gum lift treatments to restore both oral health and smile aesthetics. Whether your goals are functional, cosmetic, or both, a personalised consultation will help determine the treatment that’s right for you.
Contact our Beverly Hills practice today to schedule your consultation and discover how expert periodontal care can help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful smile.