General Dentistry

Therapy for Gum Recession for a Beautiful, Healthy Smile

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Treatments for Gum Recession

Patients suffering from gum disease may slowly see their gums pulling away down the roots of their teeth. The process is generally pretty slow, and most people don’t pay attention to the issue unless it is their front teeth that are affected or until it becomes a real problem. It’s important for patients to keep an eye on their gum tissue. Look for puffiness, redness, and/or gum recession to ensure the health of your gums and teeth.

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is a loss of the tissue covering the roots of teeth. As recession continues down the surface of the root, more of the root is exposed and become very sensitive. Eventually, if the issue is not addressed, tooth loss may occur.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession is often a symptom gum disease or periodontitis. Another risk factor is genetics. Due to weak connective tissue and other genetic issues, it may be easier for a patient to suffer from gum disease and recession. Other issues include aggressive brushing, grinding of the teeth, and even a misaligned bite.

 

Dangers of Gum Recession

Gum recession may lead to an unattractive tooth appearance, but there are also severe dangers that come with gum recession. One issue which occurs with gum recession is decay of the roots of the teeth. The roots become exposed when the gums shrink away, allowing for more exposure of a softer part of the tooth to harmful sugars and chemicals.

Gum recession can also lead to the loosening of teeth. These loose teeth can become very difficult to save and, over time, it’s a major possibility that the patient will end up losing their teeth! While this happens at a more advanced stage, it should still be a concern for any patient with a receding gum line.

Signs of Gum Recession

It can be difficult to notice recession because it happens so gradually. It is important to monitor gum recession in its early stages and it is important to treat when it gets to a certain point. The first thing you’ll want to pay attention to is whether or not you have swollen, red, or puffy gums. These are signs of gum disease, which will lead to gum recession. It’s also important to look for bleeding of the gums, which is another sign of gum disease.

You also may notice sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages and a toothier smile. If you notice that your teeth look larger than they were before, you’ll want to visit your dentist for them to have a look. This is especially so if more and more of your teeth become exposed over time.

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Recession Treatment Options

It is important to understand that—once gum recession occurs—there is no way it will grow back on its own without gum grafting or some type of dental treatment.

In order to treat early periodontitis (early gum disease) a deep cleaning (also known as a scaling and root planing) will need to be completed. This process involves the dentist cleaning below the gums with a special ultrasonic scaling tool, which will help to remove tarter, debris, and bacteria. From there, the dentist will perform a root planing, which involves smoothing over the root of the tooth. A patient may notice their gums returning to normal as they heal. It is important to note that this will generally only help with very minor recession.

For most cases of recession, a gum graft or transplant will be necessary. The pinhole surgical technique can also be used for gum surgery, but it requires a certain level of skill on the part of the dentist. This procedure involves the use of a special instrument that is used to gently loosen the gums and help return them to their original place. In order to see which options are available, a patient will need to speak with their dentist.

Insurance & Financial Information

In order to better determine the out-of-pocket costs of a procedure to treat gum recession, you’ll need to speak with your dental insurance company. Some insurance plans may cover a portion of the procedure, others may not.

If cost is still a factor, consider speaking with your dentist about a payment plan to help you get the needed treatment.

Schedule an Appointment

If you have noticed any signs of gum recession or noticed signs of gum disease then schedule an appointment with your dentist to have them evaluate you. If you don’t have an appointment for a regular checkup and cleaning scheduled, you’ll want to get one scheduled. Proper cleanings and checkups can help you to avoid gum recession, manage gum disease and help keep your mouth healthy.

 

Our dental clinic is conveniently located in Lone Tree, CO near Southlands but also services Lone Tree, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Centennial, Stapleton, Green Valley Ranch, Castle Rock, Virginia Village, Parker, Littleton, and all neighboring communities.

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