When gum recession occurs, the body loses a major natural defense to bacteria. To prevent bacteria and further trauma, gum reconstruction using gum grafting may be necessary to restore form and function.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum disease is caused by a combination of several factors, which includes:
- Thin gum tissue
- A tooth or teeth that are malpositioned thus affecting the gum tissue
- Plaque and calculus causing gingival inflammation
- Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush that is too hard
- Natural aging process
- Mucogingival deformities
Gum recession can also cause root sensitivity to hot and cold foods as well as an unsightly appearance to the tooth as the gum becomes exposed. Additionally, as the gum recedes, so does the bone, which can ultimately lead to more problematic issues.
What Can be Done?
The first way we can correct gum recession is to use the adjacent gum tissue to repair the recession. The limiting factor is how much adjacent gum tissue is available from the graft site. We can perform what is called a ‘gingival graft’ that can correct the issues you may be experiencing.
The second way is to use the patients own gum tissue (called an ‘autograft’) which is tissue taken from the roof of the mouth and then grafted directly to the affected area around the teeth.
The third way is to fix the recession using a grafting material called ‘AlloDerm.’ AlloDerm was introduced back in 1994 and was used initially in burn reconstruction and in head and neck plastic surgery.
Prevention of Gum Recession
Receding gums can be both unsightly and painful. The best defense for gum disease is proper brushing and flossing along with regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings. If you are unfortunate and still suffer from receding gums, seeking treatment from a periodontist is always an option.
To learn more about Gum Grafting, we invite you to contact Peace Periodontics to schedule a consultation appointment.
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