Gum Recession

Receding gums occur when the margin of gum tissue that surrounds your teeth wears off or pulls back, a process that exposes more of a tooth or its root. Pockets or gaps then form between your teeth and gum line, giving easy access for disease-causing bacteria to build up. Untreated, the supporting tissue and bone structures of your teeth can be severely affected, eventually leading to tooth loss. Gum recession is an everyday dental concern seen in most patients, though many do not realize when they have it because the process transpires gradually. Tooth sensitivity is usually the first sign of gum recession, or a patient might notice a tooth that appears lengthier than normal. To confirm the presence of gum recession, a notch can often be felt close to the gum line. Receding gums can directly lead to further worries, so be sure that you contact our office if you believe there is a sign of it. Gums can recede for a number of reasons:

• Periodontal Diseases | The primary cause of gum recession, periodontal diseases are bacterial gum infections that infect gum tissue and the supporting bone that secures your teeth in place.
• Dental Care | Ineffective brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash simply invites plaque to develop into calculus (tartar), a hard substance that grows on and between our teeth. Only a professional dental cleaning can eliminate it.
• Aggressive Brushing | Brushing strenuously can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away, receding your gums.

Not only can gum recession make your smile appear imbalanced, but it can pose a serious oral health risk. When tooth roots become exposed, they are more prone to decay and do not receive the proper support from your gum tissue. Eventually, this can lead to more severe conditions, such as tooth loss. We provide a less invasive gum recession procedure, the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST). This technique helps restore healthy gum tissue while also minimizing your recovery time. The Pinhole® Surgical Technique, also commonly referred to as pinhole gum rejuvenation, is a gum grafting method that involves special tools to create tiny incisions through which gum tissue can be moved back into place. This is a less invasive procedure compared to traditional gum grafting.

This gum grafting technique offers patients several advantages, including being minimally invasive, having reduced recovery time, is more comfortable, and shorter treatment time. Additionally, patients typically see natural-looking results within a few days, whereas traditional gum grafting can require weeks to heal. As a practice that prioritizes biological dentistry, we are proud to offer our patients conservative solutions that minimize trauma to their gum tissue and provides a more comfortable dental experience.

Prior to beginning treatment, we administer a local anesthetic to the treatment area. PST is a fairly straightforward procedure. Typically, treatment time for each tooth is about one hour. After the procedure you may experience some swelling and minor discomfort, most patients require little to no downtime. However, for a few days following pinhole gum rejuvenation, you should avoid spicy and abrasive foods that could irritate the treatment area.

Prevention and Treatment

Gum disease can be controlled and treated with a proper oral hygiene regimen and regular professional cleanings by our office. More severe forms of gum disease can also be treated successfully, however, they may require a more extensive treatment plan. Such treatment might include deep cleaning of the tooth root surfaces below your gums, medications, and sometimes corrective surgery. To help prevent or control gum diseases, it is important to brush and floss twice a day to remove any bacteria that causes gum disease and to book an appointment with our office twice per year for checkups, or more frequently if you have any of the warning signs or risk factors mentioned above.