← All explanationsMucogingival surgery

Can thin or receding gums be treated surgically?

Mucogingival surgery involves gums and neighbouring oral mucosa. It may suit selected recessions or tissue problems. Complete coverage of exposed roots is not always achievable.

For training & practice ↓

Fictional close-up of front teeth with visible root exposure at one tooth. — Recession as an example; not every recession requires surgery.

01 / 03

Assess the tissues

Recession, attachment, inflammation and brushing habits matter.

02 / 03

Select a technique

Tissue may be repositioned or grafted; not every recession requires surgery.

03 / 03

Protect healing

Care and reviews are tailored to the procedure.

Read the full explanation

Assess the tissues
Recession, attachment, inflammation and brushing habits matter.
Select a technique
Tissue may be repositioned or grafted; not every recession requires surgery.
Protect healing
Care and reviews are tailored to the procedure.

Notes on the teaching images

Recession as an example; not every recession requires surgery.
One possible procedural principle; not an individual surgical plan.
Symbolic illustration of adapted care and follow-up according to professional instructions.

For your visit: open the communication cards

Watch the short explanation ↓

At a glance

Purpose?

Selected soft-tissue defects.

How?

Repositioning or grafting when indicated.

Limit?

No complete-coverage guarantee.

Knowledge in motion

Explained in 36 seconds.

Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.

Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.

Go to film text

Often confused

Recession does not identify the cause

A lower gum margin alone does not explain why it occurred. Inflammatory and other factors need assessment.

Quick answers

Is tissue always taken from the palate?

No. Palatal grafts are one possible technique.

Is it only cosmetic?

No. Sensitivity, tissue stability and cleaning may also matter.

Will roots definitely be fully covered?

No. Initial findings and healing limit results.

At the practice

For a personal discussion

Editorially suggested question to discuss with Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour:

Which causes need addressing before considering surgery?

Discuss exposed tooth necks to assess their causes and possible care.

Discuss gum recessionAppointment selection at Doctolib

Meet Dr. Niusha Barahmand Pour ↗

Learning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge

Recession: Displacement of the gum margin exposing root.
Graft: Transferred tissue.
Mucogingival: Relating to gum and adjacent mucosa.

Make the distinction

A lower gum margin alone does not explain why it occurred. Inflammatory and other factors need assessment.

Knowledge questionWhat affects root coverage?

For learning, not for assessing personal symptoms. Your answer is not stored or sent.

Initial findings and tissue conditions.
Only a preferred photograph.
Always one standard operation.

View answer

Initial findings and tissue conditions.

Achievable coverage differs between cases.

Sources and context

Editorial research: 2026-11-06. General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.