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Dental insurance covers a range of procedures, from routine maintenance to major treatments, at a low cost. Gum grafting is one of the major services this supplemental insurance policy can help pay for. This procedure, typically performed by a periodontist, can help you restore receding gums to avoid sensitivity, prevent further dental problems, and recover a healthy smile. This article will explain how gum grafts work to help you understand their costs and get the right dental coverage for your needs.
Gum grafting is a dental procedure that treats gum recession, a periodontal condition where your gum line begins pulling away from your teeth and exposing the roots. The periodontist will start the procedure by administering local anesthesia to numb the teeth and gums.1 They may also offer sedation methods, such as nitrous oxide, to maximize comfort during the procedure. Then, they’ll make a small incision in the gums to clean the tooth roots and prepare the site to receive the graft.
Next, the periodontist will make a small incision in your palate, the roof of your mouth, and remove a small amount of tissue from the inner layer to leave the outer layer intact. They will suture the wound to close it. If there’s enough gum tissue near the target site, the periodontist may take tissue from that area instead. Finally, they will place the graft on the site, readjusting the surrounding gum tissue and suturing the wound closed. Depending on the stitches used, you may have to schedule a follow-up appointment to have them removed.1
Many dental insurance policies cover at least part of the cost of medically necessary gum graft procedures since they may be required to stop further gum recession. Failing to stop gum recession can lead to downsides like:
Gum grafts performed purely for cosmetic reasons often won't be covered by dental insurance.
Gum grafts can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,200 per area, depending on various factors. However, there may be additional costs associated with a gum graft:2
As mentioned earlier, dental insurance can help reduce the cost if you need a gum graft for medical reasons. The exact coverage varies by policy type, coverage amount, and insurer, but regardless, it can help make this treatment more affordable.
Here are some factors that impact the cost of gum grafts:
The amount and severity of gum recession impact costs significantly. Numerous and more severe gum recession may be more complex and require extensive time and effort to resolve. This can make the procedure cost more due to the extra time, resources (such as anesthesia), and skill needed.
Certain types of gum grafts are more extensive and require more effort to successfully complete. There are several types of grafts:3
A dentist specializing in gum disease and similar structures is called a periodontist. Working with a periodontist to get a gum graft may cost more than a general dentist to account for the additional training and expertise. However, some prefer the added peace of mind of receiving treatment from a gum disease specialist.
Some locations may have higher costs of living. This means the periodontist has to charge more to stay profitable, leading to higher gum grafting costs. For example, major cities may have more provider options to compare within close proximity, but the higher cost of living is reflected in higher costs of procedures. On the other hand, traveling to a periodontist in a less populated area could help save money, but fewer providers will be in any given area.
Gum grafts can be worth it for patients experiencing gum recession and similar issues. Here are some reasons to consider gum grafting:
Receding gums may lead to further oral health issues. Fortunately, thanks to gum grafting, you can restore lost tissue to help protect your health and recover your smile. Although these procedures can be costly, Aflac’s dental insurance can help reduce costs and put treatment within financial reach. Start chatting with an agent today to learn more and get a dental insurance quote.
1Cleveland Clinic - Gum Graft Surgery. Updated July 18, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23504-gum-graft-surgery. Accessed April 10, 2024.
2Cost Helper Health - How Much Does a Gum Tissue Graft Cost? https://health.costhelper.com/gum-tissue-grafts.html. Accessed April 10, 2024.
3WebMD – Gum Tissue Grafts. Updated September 20, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/gum-tissue-graft-surgery. Accessed April 10, 2024.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
In Arkansas, Policies A81100AR–A81400AR. Policies A82100RAR–A82400RAR. In Delaware, Policies A81100–A81400. Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A81100ID–A81400ID. Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In New York, Policies NY81100–NY81400. Policies NY82100–NY82400. In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK–A81400OK. Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Oregon, Policies A81100OR–A81400OR. Policies A82100ROR–A82400ROR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A81100PA–A81400PA. Policies A82100RPA–A82400RPAR. In Texas, Policies A81100TX–A81400TX. Policies A82100RTX–A82400RTX. In Virginia, Policies A81100VA–A81200VA. Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Coverage underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Dental, Vision and Hearing:
In Arkansas, Policy T80000AR. In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. In Oregon, Policy T80000OR. In Texas, Policy T80000TX. Not available NY or VA. Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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