Gums help keep your teeth securely in place within your jawbone, act as a natural barrier for your teeth roots and bones stopping oral bacteria from affecting your teeth roots. When this tissue begins to recede from your teeth – a condition known as
gum recession – it can often be a warning that you should visit a periodontist “gum specialist” for expert care.
Gum recession is a fairly common issue that a large number of adults deal with. Because it can start so gradually, it may go unnoticed for a long time. You may only notice it when it gets severe. Going to the dentist regularly will help you find the problem sooner and take preventative steps to avoid further problems.
In addition to not looking very nice, gum recession also leads to other problems. The root of the tooth can become discolored and look bad. It can also cause tooth sensitivity, and you may notice a difference when you eat or drink foods that are hot or cold. If left unattended for too long, it can cause damage to the underlying bone which eventually leads to the loss of the tooth.
Causes & Signs of Gum Recession
Gum recession leads to teeth roots exposure. This can generally happen as a result of advanced gum inflammation and disease “periodontal disease”, badly positioned teeth, improper orthodontic treatments, piercing the tongue or lip or simply due to improper brushing techniques and force of brushing.
Teeth with exposed roots can have several problems. These may include; Sensitivity to changes in temperature, food packing at the neck of the affected tooth/teeth, spacing between the affected teeth, increased risk of decay, unattractive appearance with long teeth and/or uneven gingival gum margins and increased chances of wear at the necks of the affected tooth/teeth.
Treatment of Gum Recession
Treatment for gum recession is variable depending on the cause. These include oral hygiene instructions on proper brushing techniques, use of specialized de-sensitizing agents to manage teeth sensitivity, restorative procedures to manage worn out necks of affected teeth, orthodontic management to align teeth in proper position, diverse gum graft surgery techniques to cover the exposed roots such as “connective tissues grafts, free gingival grafts, pedicle grafts, allografts donor tissues or artificial tissues” and a combination of the above procedures. This will all help to treat and prevent additional recession, damage to the supporting bone and tooth loss.
Gum grafts can be used to cover exposed roots or develop and augment gum tissue where absent. During gum graft surgery, our periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor site or from a tissue bank source to cover the exposed root(s). This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to cover the exposed roots, improve tissue thickness making it more resistant to future recession and will also even your gum line, reduce teeth sensitivity and eventually improve your smile.
Benefits of Gum Graft Surgery
A gum graft can reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay. This may reduce tooth sensitivity and improve aesthetics of your smile. Gum grafts are also used to improve the quality of thin gum tissues that are vulnerable to recession and disease, to thick tissue types, which are more resistant to any injury affecting them. Whether you have a gum graft to improve function, health or aesthetics, patients often receive the benefits of both: a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health - your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence. .
At
Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center periodontal office, we can pinpoint the specific cause behind your gum recession and recommend an appropriate treatment plan to handle your case.
