Gum Recession Treatment

Gum recession can occur for various reasons and does not always immediately cause pronounced discomfort. Over time, part of the tooth root may become exposed, increased sensitivity to cold and hot may appear, and without timely treatment, the changes may gradually progress.

At «Oxford Medical», treatment is carried out after comprehensive diagnostics. The periodontist determines the cause of the recession, assesses the condition of the tissues, and selects the optimal treatment method. Make an appointment for a consultation to receive individual recommendations and start treatment in a timely manner.

Gum recession — is displacement of the gum margin, due to which part of the tooth root becomes exposed. It can occur near one tooth or in several areas at once. Because of this, the tooth visually appears longer, and the boundary between the crown portion and the root becomes more noticeable.

Gum recession is assessed by its extent and degree of severity.

By extent, it can be:

• localized — when the gum recedes near one or several teeth;

• generalized — when gum recession affects many teeth.

By degree of severity, recession can be:

• mild — a small part of the tooth root is exposed;

• moderate — a larger area becomes exposed;

• severe — a significant part of the tooth root is exposed.

During the examination, the dentist determines not only the depth of the recession but also assesses the condition of the tissues around the tooth. This helps determine the degree of changes and plan further treatment.

Gum recession can develop under the influence of one or several factors at once. In many cases, the changes develop gradually, so a person notices the problem only when part of the tooth root becomes exposed.

Most often, recession occurs due to:

• inflammatory gum diseases, primarily periodontitis, as well as periodontosis, which lead to gradual loss of tissues around the teeth;

• anatomical features of the periodontal structure, in particular a thin soft-tissue biotype or insufficient gum volume;

• bruxism, due to which excessive load on the teeth and periodontal tissues contributes to their gradual damage;

• orthodontic treatment — in some cases, the placement of braces may be accompanied by the development of recession in the presence of an anatomical predisposition or insufficient bone tissue volume;

• incorrect tooth-brushing technique, the use of a toothbrush with hard bristles, or excessive pressure during hygiene;

• chronic tissue trauma from lip or tongue piercing;

• smoking, which impairs the blood supply to periodontal tissues and slows their recovery.

In many patients, recession develops not because of one cause, but because of a combination of several causes. That is why, before starting treatment, the dentist identifies the factors that contributed to the development of the disease.

At the same time, similar manifestations can also occur with other periodontal diseases, so only a dentist can establish an accurate diagnosis after an examination and, if necessary, additional examinations.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend: seeing a dentist at the first signs of recession. The earlier the cause of the changes is identified, the more opportunities there are to stop the progression of the disease and avoid its complications.

Diagnosis of recession begins with a consultation with a dentist-periodontist. During the examination, the doctor assesses the degree of root exposure, the condition of the gums and tissues around the teeth, measures the depth of the recession, checks for periodontal pockets, tooth mobility, and other changes that may affect the choice of treatment method.

If necessary, the following may be prescribed to clarify the diagnosis:

• dental X-ray or computed tomography to assess the condition of the bone tissue;

• a panoramic image of the jaws (orthopantomogram), if it is necessary to assess the condition of the entire dentofacial system;

• periodontal probing to measure the depth of periodontal pockets.

A comprehensive examination makes it possible to determine the cause of gum exposure, assess the degree of tissue damage, and create an individual treatment plan.

Without treatment, recession can gradually progress. Over time, an increasingly larger part of the tooth root becomes exposed, which increases its sensitivity, and the changes become more pronounced.

Gum recession can lead to:

• increased tooth sensitivity and discomfort when consuming cold, hot, or acidic foods;

• the development of root caries, which is more difficult to treat than caries of the crown portion of the tooth;

• the accumulation of bacterial plaque and dental calculus on the exposed root surface, which increases the risk of inflammation;

• further loss of tissues around the teeth, which in severe cases can lead to their mobility.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend: do not wait until the recession becomes more pronounced. Timely treatment helps stop the progression of the disease, and recession coverage — restore the gum contour.

It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of developing recession, but proper oral care and regular preventive examinations help significantly reduce it. It is especially important to pay attention to prevention for people who already have periodontal diseases or other risk factors.

Prevention of gum recession includes:

• timely treatment of gum disease;

• proper tooth-brushing technique and the use of a toothbrush with soft or medium-hard bristles;

• daily cleaning of the interdental spaces with dental floss or interdental brushes;

• professional oral hygiene and preventive examinations by a dentist every 6 months or more often as recommended by the doctor;

• the use of a protective mouthguard for bruxism, if it was recommended by the dentist.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend not skipping preventive examinations even in the absence of complaints. This makes it possible to detect the first signs of recession in a timely manner and begin treatment before pronounced changes develop.

The cost of treatment depends on the cause of recession, the degree of root exposure, and the chosen treatment method. In some clinical cases, conservative therapy may be sufficient, while with significant gum recession, flap surgery may be required.

Current prices for medical services and doctors’ consultations can be viewed here. To make an appointment for a consultation with a dentist-periodontist, submit a request through the online appointment form or call the contact center.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.

Sources:

• European Federation of Periodontology
• US National Library of Medicine
• American Academy of Periodontology