Gum Recession
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Gum recession often occurs gradually and can happen for different reasons, the most common of which is due to gum disease. Other common causes of gum recession include:
- Aggressive brushing and/or flossing
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Genetic predisposition
- Earlier orthodontic treatment
- Bruxism
- Misaligned teeth
- Trauma
- Use of tobacco products
Once your gums have receded or retracted to the point where the roots of the tooth are exposed, you may begin to feel extreme tooth sensitivity. You will also be at an increased risk of developing serious dental health issues, due to the roots being exposed to external damage. Over time, the root surface may begin to erode and become damaged by bacteria, aggressive brushing and acids from different foods and drinks, and over time may loosen or break. If you are experiencing gum recession, it is important to schedule an appointment to determine why this recession is occurring. Once the underlying cause is identified, treatment options can be determined.
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 examine 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 4-6mm 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 for 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 takes 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 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, frequently we will use a donor dermis material (for example, AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix), which is donated tissue that has been using 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 biology 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-monty payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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