Receding Gums Treatment
Gum recession spring hill florida often occurs very gradually and is usually due to untreated periodontal disease, although other factors such as aggressive brushing, genetic predisposition, or certain medications can also cause gums to recede. Common indications that gum recession is occurring include the following:
- Teeth look longer: One of the clearest visible indications of gum recession is that your teeth suddenly appear to be longer
- Loose teeth: If gum recession is not treated, teeth can eventually become loose and even fall out.
- Exposed roots: When gums have receded to the point of exposing the roots of your tooth, you may experience extreme sensitivity or pain, especially when eating or drinking.
Although gum tissue does not naturally regenerate, there are several treatment options that can be performed. If you have noticed any of the aforementioned symptoms, contact our office today to schedule a consultation. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments for recessed gums and can help identify your underlying issue and develop a suitable treatment plan.
Treating Receding Gums
If gum recession is still in the early stages, it may be possible to halt its progression by making modifications to lifestyle habits. This may include changing your diet, quitting smoking, altering your oral hygiene habits, or scheduling more frequent cleanings and evaluations. A scale and root planing procedure may also be performed. Unlike maintenance performed at home, a professional dental cleaning can clean areas of your teeth that a normal toothbrush will not reach. Bacteria is removed from the surfaces of your teeth and below the gum line. Once removed, the roots of the tooth are then smoothed to allow your gums to reattach to your teeth.
Surgical Treatments
For more advanced cases of gum recession, surgical treatment may be necessary. The following are common procedures that may be recommended depending on your needs.
- Flap surgery: If the scale and root planing procedure is not successful, flap surgery may be performed. This safe and effective procedure involves making a small incision in your gums and lifting them up in order to remove the bacteria.
- Gum graft: This process involves placing grafting material that is either taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth or from a donor over the area of recession. This is one of the most common treatment options for correcting recessed gums.
- Pinhole Surgical Technique: This alternative treatment option to gum grafting involves making a series of small pinholes in the gums, then using special instruments to move gum tissue down to its previous length. Unlike gum grafting, this procedure is less invasive and does not require sutures.
One important thing to remember is that, while recessed gums can be corrected, the same issue will occur again if proper oral care is not taken. As such, we strongly recommend our patients schedule regular cleanings at least every six months or with greater frequency if you are genetically predisposed to these type of issues.
If you have any additional questions about treatment options for gum recession, or would like to schedule a consultation or learn more about our clinic and services, contact us today at (800) NEW-LOOK.
We look forward to improving your oral health, aesthetic appearance of your smile, and overall quality of life!