Gum graft cost guide · United States
Gum graft cost, explained.
What a periodontist charges for a gum graft, why two quotes for the same tooth can differ by a thousand dollars, and how to find a practice that publishes real answers.
The short answer
A single gum graft usually costs $550–$1,600 without insurance. Connective tissue grafts — the standard for one exposed root — cluster around $700–$1,600 per tooth. Insurance may cover 50–80% when the graft is medically necessary, subject to an annual maximum.
Four graft types, four price bands
The technique is the biggest single driver of the bill. A periodontist chooses it based on how much attached gum remains, how deep the root is exposed, and whether a second surgical site is needed.
| Graft type | Typical range | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Connective tissue graft (CTG) | $700 – $1,600 | Most common for a single exposed root; a small strip of tissue is taken from the palate. |
| Free gingival graft (FGG) | $550 – $1,200 | A surface graft used when attached gum is thin, often on lower teeth. |
| Pedicle or laterally positioned flap | $450 – $1,100 | Local gum is shifted over the root; needs enough neighbouring tissue. |
| Acellular dermal matrix (donor tissue) | $800 – $1,900 | Avoids a palate harvest; material fee is billed on top of the surgical fee. |
| Periodontal bone graft | $650 – $1,500 | Rebuilds bone around a tooth or implant site; often combined with other surgery. |
Ranges reflect 2026 US cash-pay quotes for one tooth or one site. They exclude sedation, bone grafting, crown lengthening and post-operative visits billed separately.
The four things that move a quote
How many teeth
One tooth is a single site. Four adjacent teeth may be quoted as one quadrant, which lowers the per-tooth price but raises the total.
Graft material
Your own palate tissue is included in the surgical fee. Donor tissue or a membrane adds a material charge, often $200–$600.
City and practice
Metro practices with a periodontist on staff charge more than rural offices. The same procedure can differ by 40–60% between markets.
Sedation and add-ons
Nitrous, oral sedation or IV sedation is billed separately. So is a biopsy, a frenectomy or a bone graft done at the same time.
Ask for the quote in writing — with codes
A useful estimate names the CDT code for each procedure, the graft material, whether sedation is included, and what the follow-up visits cost. Without those four items, two quotes are not comparable.
Our guide to gum graft cost with insurance explains the codes and the questions that get a straight answer.
How to choose a periodontistNot dental advice. Every fee, coverage rule and recovery timeline on this site is general information. Your tooth, your gum thickness and your plan determine the real number. A periodontist has to examine you before quoting.
Read our editorial policy andabout page.
Find a periodontist near you
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Read before you commit
What is a gum graft?
The three techniques, who needs one, and what the surgeon actually does.
Gum graft recovery, day by day
What to eat, what to avoid, and when to call the office.
Gum graft vs bone graft
Two different problems, two different bills — and when you need both.
Also in the guide library:gum contouring cost andgummy smile treatment.
Common questions
How much does a gum graft cost without insurance?
Most single-tooth gum grafts fall between $550 and $1,600 in the United States, depending on the technique. Connective tissue grafts, the most common type, usually sit around $700 to $1,600 per tooth. Donor-tissue grafts and metro-area practices can run higher.
Does insurance cover gum graft surgery?
Many dental plans cover part of a gum graft when it is treated as periodontal therapy rather than a cosmetic procedure. Coverage is commonly 50% to 80% after a deductible and is capped by an annual maximum, often $1,000 to $2,000. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate with the CDT codes in writing.
Is a gum graft per tooth or per quadrant?
Practices quote both ways. A small graft on one tooth is usually billed per tooth; multiple adjacent teeth are sometimes quoted per quadrant or as a single surgical site. Always ask what the fee includes: surgeon time, graft material, sedation, follow-up visits and any membrane or biologic.
How long does gum graft surgery take?
A single-tooth connective tissue graft typically takes 45 to 90 minutes including preparation and suturing. Multiple teeth or combined procedures take longer. Most patients are in the office for about two hours on the day of surgery.