Gum Recession
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Gum recession often develops gradually and can occur for a number of reasons, with gum disease being one of the most common. Other factors that may contribute to gum recession include:
- Aggressive brushing or flossing
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Genetic predisposition
- Previous orthodontic treatment
- Bruxism, or teeth grinding
- Misaligned teeth
- Trauma to the teeth or gums
- Tobacco use
Once the gums have receded enough to expose the roots of the teeth, you may begin to experience increased tooth sensitivity. Exposed root surfaces are also more vulnerable to problems such as decay, wear, and erosion. Over time, bacteria, aggressive brushing, and acids from certain foods and beverages can contribute to damage of these exposed areas.
If you are experiencing gum recession, it is important to schedule an evaluation to determine what may be causing it. Once the underlying cause has been identified, we can recommend appropriate treatment options to help protect your teeth and gums and prevent the recession from progressing.
Dr. Hodges and Dr. Sheppard are well-respected clinicians in advanced periodontal techniques, having completed considerable advanced education and both are highly experienced in performing gum grafting procedures. To learn more about gum recession and available treatment options, please refer to the following. To schedule an appointment for an evaluation, contact our Rockwall office today at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Gum Recession
Grafting Treatment Planning & Procedure
The first step in correcting recessed gums is determining why the recession is happening. We will perform a comprehensive examination to determine the underlying cause, the extent of your gum recession, and which gum grafting option is the optimal treatment option for you. Once this examination is complete, we will explain our findings, discuss available treatment options, offer advice on the best path forward, and answer any questions you may have
In order to determine if the underlying cause of your gum recession is due to gum disease, we will measure the depth of your gum pockets. Pockets that are between 4- 6 mm in depth indicate moderate periodontitis, and pockets that are deeper than 7mm indicate severe periodontitis. If gum disease has developed and is not corrected, bacteria and calculus will continue to grow, will cause your gums to continue detaching, and eventually cause the supporting bone to begin to deteriorate. Severe gum disease will lead to eventual tooth loss if not treated.
One of the most common treatments to correct gum recession is a gum grafting procedure. Prior to performing the procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you do not experience any discomfort. We also offer several different dental sedation options, including oral and IV sedation, to ensure you are calm and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Once you are numbed and comfortable, the gum grafting procedure will begin. Unlike traditional gum grafting techniques, which take a square of tissue from the roof of your mouth as the graft, our practice uses the “tunneling technique”, which involves removing and adding small amounts of tissue from the roof of your mouth to the area of recession using micro-instruments. In order to use these micro-instruments, we will be wearing surgical loupes during the procedure, which are high-powered magnifying lenses that allow us to make these very precise incisions. This approach eliminates the need for surface incisions in the gums and heavy anesthesia, is far more comfortable, ensures a faster healing process, and the end result looks completely natural.
If possible, instead of taking the tissue from the roof of your mouth, we will frequently use a donor dermis material (for example, AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix), which is donated tissue that has been used for gum grafting for over 20 years. By using the donated dermis tissue, your postoperative comfort will be even greater, and you will have a much lower risk of developing any complications. Once the graft placement is complete, we will apply biological modifiers in the treated area to help boost the healing process and reduce post-operative discomfort.
Gum Recession
Tips on Avoiding Issues
Brushing and flossing daily and scheduling regular checkups every six months are extremely important to have and maintain strong and healthy teeth and gums. By following these consistent oral hygiene routines, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease and experiencing additional gum recession. Scheduling regular examinations at least every six months also decreases your risk of developing gum disease, and also ensures that your periodontist can monitor the health of your gums and teeth and address issues that, if left unchecked, may result in additional gum recession.
Gum Recession
Procedural costs associated
The cost of treatment will largely depend on the severity of your case, the number of appointments necessary, grafting material type, and whether dental sedation is necessary. For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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