PERIODONTAL PLASTIC SURGERY
DENTAL SURGERY FOR GUM RECESSION
The gums are the soft pink tissue that surrounds your teeth. It is also an important first line of defense against infection and tooth decay. This is why when the gums recede or pull away from the teeth, that so many problems can arise from tooth loss and the need for dental implants to more severe and advanced dental concerns.
CAUSES OF GUM RECESSION
The recession of gums tends to be caused or aggravated by any number of factors such as:
- Poor oral hygiene practices and failure to keep dental cleaning appointments and checkups.
- Excessive brushing or flossing, doing so too aggressively, or doing it incorrectly.
- Issues with tooth size and position. Large teeth in a smaller jaw are predisposed to generalized recession.
- Infections, bacteria, and other illnesses that attack the teeth and gums.
- Muscle attachments such as the frenum that attaches and pulls at the gum line.
- Bad habits such as chewing on pen caps or ice or using tobacco products.
- Appliances such as braces and dentures that are not fitted or maintained properly.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GUM RECESSION
Root surfaces exposed by gum recession can become sensitive to temperature and pressure changes, and can also decay or wear away. Exposed roots don’t look too appealing, either. Fortunately, recession is treatable. An important treatment consideration is whether the recession is stable or progressive and how much and when the bone loss has occurred.
TREATMENTS FOR RECEDING GUMS
A periodontist, is the one who will typically treat receding gums. The process of treating receding gums comes down to protecting exposed roots and tissue of the teeth and replacing the damaged gum tissue.
GRAFTING
Grafting of the gum tissue is a method for treating gum recession that can both create and augment areas of tissue coverage where none exists. It is important to restore as much of the natural structure and function of the gums as possible to protect the teeth. Grafting involves taking tissue from somewhere else in the mouth and attaching it to another area. For gum grafts, the tissue is most commonly taken from the roof of the mouth or behind the upper last tooth. Collagen membranes or purchased skin graft materials may also be used to grow back the gum tissue and cover the root surfaces.
ROOT CLEANING
Odontoplasty is the medical term for the process of reshaping and restoring the root structure of the teeth. Root debridement (cleaning) and reshaping are all extremely important factors that help the grafting of new tissue adhere to the exposed roots. Healing is also enhanced by the addition of growth factors or stem cells to encourage faster healing and bonding.
If you need treatments for receding gums or if you have questions about what dental care you may need, call us today at Loop Perio and schedule your appointment.