Is Dental Bonding a Better Alternative to Gum Grafting?

Receding gums are a growing concern, especially as we age. Research shows that 90% of older adults experience gum recession on at least one tooth.

While gum recession doesn’t always require treatment if it remains stable, it can sometimes affect your smile and oral health. Fortunately, there are effective solutions to restore your gums and bring back a more youthful appearance.

In this article, we’ll compare two popular treatments—gingival grafting and composite bonding—to help you make an informed decision.

How Can Dental Bonding Fix Receding Gums?

Fixing gum recession with bonding is simple. Your dentist applies a tooth-colored composite material to the exposed roots, then shapes and smooths it. The goal is to create the illusion of a natural, recession-free gumline by hiding signs of recession.

One of the most noticeable effects of receding gums is the formation of black triangles between teeth. These gaps can make your smile look older and affect your overall facial appearance.

Dental bonding is one of the most effective ways to fill these spaces, often providing immediate and impressive aesthetic results.

However, it’s important to note that bonding doesn’t rebuild or strengthen your gums like grafting does. It’s a cosmetic solution that reshapes the teeth to visually conceal recessions—nothing more, nothing less.

Is Dental Bonding Better Than Gum Grafting?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each treatment has its own pros, cons, and specific indications depending on your unique situation.

Dental bonding may be a better option if you’re looking for a quick, affordable, and non-invasive solution for cosmetic concerns. The procedure requires no surgery, no recovery time, and can usually be completed in a single visit. Plus, it’s cheaper than alternatives like gum grafting, the pinhole surgical technique, or orthodontic treatments.

However, bonding doesn’t target the gums—it only reshapes the teeth to create the illusion of a normal gumline.

So, if your goal is to protect and strengthen your gums or prevent further recession, bonding won’t help. In fact, it can sometimes cause more plaque and food to get trapped, making it harder to keep your teeth clean. Over time, this can lead to inflammation and may even make gum recession worse.

When Gum Grafting Wins Over Dental Bonding?

If your gums are fragile or your recession is severe, gum grafting is likely the better choice. Besides covering exposed roots, a gum graft strengthens and thickens your gums, making them healthier and more resistant to further recession.

In some cases, gum grafting is the only viable solution. For example, in advanced gum recession (as shown in the image below), bonding alone wouldn’t be enough to restore the appearance of the teeth. In this case, a gum graft is the only option that can actually rebuild lost tissue and fully cover the exposed roots.

The downside of gum grafting? Not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure.

Plus, like any surgery, gum grafting comes with a recovery period, so the results aren’t as immediate as they are with bonding. While complications are rare, there’s a small risk of the graft not taking—but this can usually be avoided by carefully following your dentist’s aftercare instructions.

When Is Dental Bonding the Right Choice?

Dental bonding works best in certain situations. Here’s when it might be a good option for you:

• ✅ Your gum recession is minor – Composite bonding is effective for small recessions, especially in the spaces between teeth.


• ✅ Your gums are healthy – Inflammation-free gums are a prerequisite for a successful bonding procedure (same goes for grafting). If you have active gum disease, bonding won’t be a suitable option.


• ✅ Your recession is stable – The recession must be under control before treatment. If it’s still progressing, bonding could make things worse.


• ✅ You have excellent oral hygiene – Poor hygiene can not only worsen gum disease but also cause the composite to stain and wear down quickly.


• ✅ You want instant results – The bonding technique offers the fastest cosmetic improvement, usually in a single visit.


• ✅ Your concern is primarily cosmetic – If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your smile rather than strengthen your gums, bonding is a great option.


• ✅ You’re not a candidate for surgery – If you can’t undergo a gum graft, bonding can be a non-invasive alternative to visually conceal exposed roots.

When Gum Surgery is the Best Option for You

Here’s when a gum graft might be a better choice:

• ✅ You’re a good candidate for surgery – You shouldn’t have any medical conditions that prevent you from having surgery. Also, for the graft to take hold and heal well, there must be good blood flow in the area. Without this, the graft won’t survive or heal properly.


• ✅ You have severe recessions – For advanced gum recession, gum grafting is often the only possible solution. Bonding won’t be effective in concealing significant recession.


• ✅ You want to strengthen your gums and prevent further damage – Gum grafting can thicken your gums, making them stronger and more resistant to future recession. This long-term benefit is one of the main advantages grafting has over bonding.

What to Expect from Dental Bonding for Receding Gums

The cosmetic results of composite bonding are immediate, so you’ll notice a significant improvement right after your first session.

You can expect the composite to look good for 5 to 10 years, though this varies depending on factors like your oral hygiene, diet, and gum care. For example, if you regularly consume staining foods or drinks like coffee, the composite may stain more quickly, meaning you might need touch-ups more often.

To keep the composite looking its best for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to limit these types of foods and drinks—or at least rinse or brush your teeth right after consuming them.

It’s also important to maintain excellent oral hygiene. If your gums recede more, new root surfaces can show, which may make the bonding look uneven or unattractive.

Dental Bonding vs. Gum Grafting: The Verdict

Composite bonding is a great option for a quick, easy cosmetic fix to hide receding areas. However, it requires proper care to prevent wear and staining and to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

On the other hand, gum grafting not only conceals recession but also thickens the gums and helps prevent further damage. However, it involves a surgical procedure and a healing period that might not be suitable for everyone.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your unique situation. Only a qualified dentist can help you make the right decision.