Procedures to fix receding gums range from deep cleanings for mild cases to surgical grafts for severe recession, including Scaling & Root Planing to remove bacteria, Gum Grafting (using your own tissue or donor) to cover roots, Flap Surgery for deep pockets, Guided Tissue Regeneration to regrow bone, or newer techniques like the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) for repositioning without cutting. The best fix depends on the cause and severity, often involving professional guidance to stop progression and restore gum health.
Your dentist will likely recommend gum grafting if you have gum recession. In many cases, receding gums are a symptom of severe gum disease, but people can also be genetically prone to thinning gums. You can also develop gum recession if you brush too aggressively.
Treating pregnancy gingivitis involves excellent home care, like brushing twice daily with a soft brush, flossing daily, and using antiseptic rinses, plus professional dental cleanings to remove built-up plaque and tartar, as hormonal changes make gums more sensitive; dentists may also prescribe medicated mouthwashes or antibiotics for severe cases. Good nutrition, limiting sugary foods, and saltwater rinses also help manage symptoms.
Treatments include antibiotics, antimicrobial mouth rinses and surgery. Gum recession can't be reversed, but treatment can prevent it from getting worse.
The cost of treating gum recession is contingent upon the severity, typically ranging from $700 to $2,000 or more. For instance, treating a single tooth affected by gum recession typically costs between $600 and $1,200.
Signs that It May Be Too Late for Gum Grafting
When the bone supporting teeth has diminished significantly, grafts may not hold. Teeth may become loose or shift, further complicating treatment. Visible root surfaces that have become worn, decayed, or sensitive for long periods might not benefit fully from grafting.
Gum graft surgery has been used to treat receding gums for quite some time. This surgery is effective; however, it can be complex, invasive, and require significant recovery. Gum graft surgery begins with harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of your mouth or utilizing donor tissue.
15 Foods to Avoid with Receding Gums
Gum grafting may cause some discomfort, but much pain is not usual. Soreness typically subsides within several days; furthermore, a complete recovery occurs during the subsequent weeks, assuming ample care is taken.
The Pinhole Surgery Technique, also known as Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, was established by John Chao (DDS) and is a scalpel-free, suture-free, graft-free procedure to reverse receding gums, thus saving the teeth.
Do-it-Yourself: Home Remedies for Gingivitis
Yes, getting a tooth filling while pregnant is generally safe and often recommended to prevent further complications. Dentists routinely perform fillings on pregnant patients, especially when the issue could lead to infection or increased pain.
Many people think that it's normal if gums are tender when touched or that bleeding gums are normal. They are not normal, and if you experience them, you should see your dentist. Bad breath is normal after eating a meal with strong odors or flavors. However, persistent bad breath is a symptom of poor oral health.
Gum disease is the top contributor of receding gums. If you have a condition, such as periodontitis, it can cause destructive gum inflammation and lead to gum recession. You can learn about your personal risk of having gum disease with this Gum Disease Risk Assessment quiz.
It may be difficult to properly cover the exposed roots and the risk of failure will be higher. You will also have an increased risk of complications like pain, infection and delayed healing. If you think you might benefit from a gum graft, see your dentist as soon as possible.
What Foods to Avoid After Receding Gums Treatment
For most periodontal treatments, including gum grafting or pocket reduction surgery, a local anesthetic is enough to prevent pain during the procedure. You'll remain fully awake but won't feel anything in the treated area. This approach allows for quicker recovery and fewer risks compared to deeper sedation.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canals are famous for being one of the most feared dental procedures. The treatment involves removing infected pulp from inside the tooth to save it from extraction. Why It Hurts: Infection or inflammation in the tooth can amplify pain.
Your Smooth Recovery with Okanagan Periodontics
At Okanagan Periodontics, we prioritize your post-gum graft surgery recovery. Stitches typically last 1 to 2 weeks, dissolving on their own or requiring removal by your dentist. Redness, swelling, and pain should decrease over time.
The simple answer: teeth usually don't fall out from mild gum recession alone. Early gum recession mainly exposes more of the tooth surface and can cause sensitivity. However, when gum recession is paired with bone loss from periodontal disease, teeth lose their support structure.
Advanced Periodontitis (Stage 4): The most severe stage marked by significant bone loss, deep pockets, and tooth mobility. Advanced cases may necessitate tooth extraction, involving surgical procedures.
Insufficiency of Vitamin B12
Gum disease, commonly known as periodontitis, can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is an essential mineral for healthy gums. Gum recession can develop as a result of advanced gum disease. When your gums recede, your tooth roots become more visible.
Here are common signs and conditions that may indicate it's too late for a gum graft: Significant bone loss around the tooth. Loose or mobile teeth due to lack of structural support. Persistent, untreated periodontal disease.
Gum Contouring- A suggested alternative to gum grafting if the gum recession isn't too deep and irregular. After the application of a local anesthetic either a scalpel or a laser will be used to reshape the gumline. The benefit of the laser is it cauterizes the incision immediately improving the healing time.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique is a highly conservative treatment technique designed to allow for successful gum grafting and reattachment without the need for traditional surgical incisions. No need for a scalpel means there are no cuts to heal and no risk of trauma to surrounding healthy gum tissues.