Gum Grafting Melbourne
Gum recession occurs when the gums start to strip away from the neck of the tooth, exposing the roots. This can be both a cosmetic and a functional problem — our team is here to listen to your concerns.
A graft isn’t always the right fix
Many patients come to us wanting a gum graft because their teeth look “long” — but the underlying cause is often something else entirely. Proper diagnosis matters more than the procedure itself, so our team in South Preston will always assess what’s really going on before recommending any treatment.
It’s often gum disease
Recession is frequently a sign of underlying periodontal (gum) disease. A graft won’t fix that — the gums need a thorough deep hygiene clean to stabilise the problem first.
Sometimes it’s orthodontic
When teeth sit outside the bone — often from crowding — the gum over them thins and recedes. Moving the teeth back into position with orthodontics can be the real solution.
Occasionally it’s skeletal
In some cases the position of the underlying jawbone is the driver. These cases may need combined orthodontic and jaw-related planning, which we coordinate as part of your overall care plan.
And sometimes, a graft
Where it’s genuinely the right fix, a palatal gum graft uses tissue (often from the roof of the mouth) to cover the exposed root — but only once other causes have been ruled out.
And occasionally, once everything is properly assessed, the honest answer is that the situation is something to monitor and manage rather than fully correct. We’ll always give you a straightforward assessment rather than recommend a procedure that won’t solve the real problem.
How we assess your case
A considered, step-by-step approach — so any treatment we recommend actually addresses the cause.
01
Thorough assessment
We examine your gum health, tooth position and bite before any procedure is considered.
02
Address the root cause
If gum disease is present, we start with a deep hygiene clean to stabilise things.
03
In-house grafting
When a palatal graft is clinically appropriate, we can carry it out here in our Preston studio.
04
Coordinated care
For complex cases needing orthodontic or jaw-related care, we coordinate your treatment within our trusted network.
Get a proper diagnosis first
Book a consultation with our team in South Preston to find out what’s really going on with your gums — and the most suitable, least invasive way to address it.
Concerned about receding gums?
A consultation maps the cause — gum disease, tooth position, bone structure or brushing forces — and the gentlest path forward.
Gum grafting questions, answered
I think I need a gum graft — is that always the case?
Not necessarily. Recession is often caused by gum disease, tooth position or the underlying bone. If periodontal disease is present, the gums first need a deep hygiene clean — a graft alone won’t solve it. We always assess the cause before recommending any procedure.
Why do my teeth look “long”?
That look is usually gum recession — the gum has pulled back and exposed more of the tooth, or its root. The causes vary (gum disease, crowded tooth position, or the underlying bone structure), so we identify the reason before treating it.
Can orthodontics help with gum recession?
In some cases, yes. When teeth sit outside the bone — often from crowding — the gum over them thins. Repositioning the teeth with orthodontics can be a more effective, longer-lasting solution than grafting alone.
What is a palatal gum graft?
It’s a procedure where gum tissue — often taken from the roof of the mouth — is used to cover an exposed tooth root. It suits only certain cases, and only once other causes of recession have been ruled out. All treatments carry risks; see our treatment risks page.
Will I need to be referred elsewhere?
Sometimes. Complex cases — for example those needing orthodontic or jaw-related (orthognathic) treatment — may be referred within our trusted network, and we coordinate your care throughout.
Is gum grafting always the answer?
No. Once everything is assessed, the honest answer is sometimes that the situation is best monitored and managed rather than fully corrected. We’ll always be upfront rather than recommend a procedure that won’t help.
Is gum grafting covered by health insurance?
It varies between policies — cover depends on your fund and level of extras. See our health insurance page or check directly with your fund.
Gum grafting in Preston & Melbourne’s north
Our Preston studio on High Street provides gum grafting and recession treatment for patients across the inner north — Thornbury, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Reservoir and Coburg. Each case is carefully assessed and planned, and with on-site parking and Bell Station nearby, care is easy to reach from home. Grafting is often part of managing gum disease.
New patient exam & clean — $295
Comprehensive Dental Examination · Intraoral & Extraoral (OPG) X-rays and Dental Photos · Dental Hygiene Visit (Scale & Polish) · Fluoride Treatment · Oral Cancer Screening · Valued over $475, T&C’s apply
18+ years
caring for the Preston community with gentle, modern dentistry
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registered, experienced clinicians across general & cosmetic dentistry
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flexible options available, with all health funds welcome
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Gentle, highly qualified clinicians providing cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry for all ages — in a studio designed to feel comfortable and welcoming. Every smile journey here begins with a conversation.
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Prefer to talk? Call 03 9089 7574 — we’re happy to chat.
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