How many
Coverage
Where you live
Rough range
$600–$3,000
National range, narrowed by area. Exams, x-rays, sedation and follow-ups are often billed separately.
Not a quote. Ask the dental office for a written estimate with procedure codes before you agree to anything.
Add the rest of your treatment plan →Low end
$600
Average
$1,200
High end
$3,000
- Without insurance
- $600–$3,000
- With insurance · out of pocket
- $300–$800
- Typical coverage
- Varies by plan
With dental insurance that covers it, out-of-pocket cost is often around $300–$800, depending on your plan, deductible and annual maximum.
What you are paying for
What goes into the cost of a gum graft
A gum graft commonly costs between $600 and $3,000 without insurance, with about $1,200 typical. What you are paying for is mostly a specialist's time doing delicate surgery: preparing the root, handling a small piece of tissue and placing very fine stitches, followed by the checks afterward. Two things move the figure more than anything else. One is how much is being treated, since a single tooth and a row of several teeth are different operations. The other is where the tissue comes from. Tissue from your palate has no material cost but lengthens the surgery, while processed donor tissue is purchased and billed. Items that may be listed separately include the consultation, a cleaning beforehand, sedation and a protective shield for the palate.
Ways the bill can come down
Check your dental plan before assuming a graft is cosmetic. Many plans contribute when grafting treats documented recession and root exposure, so ask the office to submit a pre-treatment estimate with measurements and photos. If several neighboring teeth need treatment, doing them in one surgery usually costs less than returning for each. Ask whether using your own tissue or donor tissue changes the fee for your case. University periodontal residency clinics provide grafts at reduced fees. If your periodontist considers the recession mild and stable, monitoring it is a legitimate choice. Correcting the cause, such as an aggressive brushing habit, protects the result so you do not pay for the same area twice.
Table 1 — Factors that affect gum graft cost
Factors That Affect Gum Graft Cost
- 01
Number of teeth treated
Fees are usually set for the first tooth with a smaller charge for each additional neighboring tooth in the same surgery. Sites in different parts of the mouth are generally billed as separate procedures.
- 02
Your own tissue or donor tissue
Donor tissue adds a material cost that grows with the size of the area. Palate tissue avoids that but is limited in how much can be taken at one time.
- 03
Type of graft
Covering an exposed root and simply thickening a band of thin gum use different techniques with different fees. The periodontist chooses based on what the tooth needs.
- 04
Periodontist or general dentist
Most gum grafts are done by periodontists, who are gum specialists and charge accordingly. Some general dentists with additional training offer the procedure.
- 05
Sedation and extras
Local anesthesia is included in the surgical fee. Oral or intravenous sedation, a custom shield for the palate and any preliminary gum treatment are charged in addition.
Table 2 — Payment options
Payment Options
Dental Insurance
Plans usually pay part of the cost of covered procedures after a deductible, up to an annual maximum. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
Payment Plans
Many dentists offer in-house financing or work with CareCredit.
Dental Discount Plans
A yearly membership that gives reduced fees at participating dentists. Not insurance; check what it covers.
Dental Schools
Dental school clinics charge lower fees for care by supervised students. Appointments take longer.
Cost disclaimer
Cost estimates are based on national averages and may vary significantly based on your location, dentist, insurance coverage, and specific treatment needs. These figures are for informational purposes only and are not quotes or guarantees of pricing. Ask your dental office for a written estimate before treatment.