Gum Recession Treatment

Gum recession is the exposure of the tooth roots caused by the gum tissue retracting. Gum recession is most commonly caused by:

• Genetics
• Teeth that are out of alignment
• Teeth grinding
• Trauma to the teeth
• Overly aggressive brushing or flossing
• Severe gum disease

 

The dangers of gum recession
Root surfaces are softer than tooth enamel and so are more prone to erosion and are more sensitive to heat, cold and even sweets. They can get so worn that the teeth loosen or break.

Treatment for thin gums
Gum grafting can also be used to treat gums that are too thin. Thin gums can’t support a tooth properly and will eventually lead to gum recession and bone loss.

Start on your road to rejuvenated gums with a free consultation with Elevate Dental. We will evaluate the extent of the gum recession, creating a map of where the gum line has receded.

We also check for other issues that might need to be handled to prevent gum recession from continuing. You will get treatment plan options and advice on the best path to choose for your specific condition.

To make an appointment, call 951-699-4440 or click here to request an appointment online.

Traditional gum graft surgery is a lengthy and painful procedure. However, with new advancements, our Doctors can repair your gums with a fast and comfortable minimally invasive procedure known as microsurgery.

Microsurgery uses small instruments with illuminated microscopes. This means small incisions with far less suturing needed and far less discomfort post-treatment. Instead of cutting into the gum, our Doctors create a small tunnel in the neck of the tooth in which to insert the gum graft.

Microsurgical techniques make our gum grafting minimally invasive. We only need to use local anesthesia, although sedation is an option for long appointments and for patients who are anxious. No prescription medicines are needed after treatment, just over-the-counter pain killers for a couple of days, if the patient so chooses.

Minimally invasive also means minimal impact on the body. Conventional gum grafting requires the sacrifice of healthy gum tissue and can lead to further gum loss after healing. There is an additional cosmetic benefit: conventional surgery leaves a white patch which doesn’t blend aesthetically. With our minimally invasive techniques your new gum is naturally pink.

Treatment varies according to which type of gum grafting is decided upon, but all treatment follows the below basic steps.

Generally, we recommend treating the full mouth in two visits of two hours. If only a few teeth are affected, the patient should be in and out in about forty minutes. In certain situations, we use plasma-rich growth factors (PRGF) from the patient’s own blood to boost healing.

Post-treatment, most people take a couple of doses of over-the-counter pain medication for a day or two. We like to see our patients for three follow-up visits over a period of three to six months.

We use four main ways to obtain gum graft material. We decide which to use based on the condition of the patient’s gums and teeth as well as the patient’s own preferences.Traditional Gum Grafting uses the patient’s own connective tissue from the roof of the mouth. Using the traditional method of gum graft surgery, an incision is made to collect the tissue. The incision has to be covered up with surgical dressing and takes up to two weeks to heal. The procedure can be painful and requires prescription medication. Our doctors will use this procedure on rare occasions when more fibrous tissue is needed.

Using micro surgical techniques, we can harvest the needed tissue from the roof of the mouth using the “trapdoor” method. This is done by making a small incision in the roof of the mouth, which is then sewn up. The incision heals in one to two days and only over-the-counter pain medication is needed, if at all.