Almost 50%[1] of adults in the United States over 30 years old have signs of gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, this condition is an inflammatory condition in the oral tissues that causes many problems when left untreated. If allowed to progress, it can also lead to gum recession surgery in Rochester.
Gum disease is one of the most common oral health conditions dentists see. It begins as gingivitis, which causes oral tissues to appear red and slightly puffy. Gum disease treatments can be concerning for the patient; however, a periodontist may offer minimally invasive options to help stop and reverse the harm caused by gum disease.
What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession occurs when the roots of a tooth become exposed or the bone and tissue pull away from the root. It’s a slow process that you may not realize is happening until it becomes severe. Exposed tooth roots commonly occur in adults over 40 but can also happen to younger people.
Gum tissue covers and protects the root of the tooth. Without this protection, your tooth becomes more susceptible to decay and may experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods. In gum disease, the underlying bone also shrinks, causing the teeth to become mobile. Eventually, if left untreated, tooth loss is inevitable.
Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession can lead to oral health problems. Knowing what causes this condition is the first step to avoiding gum recession surgery in Rochester. The leading reasons your gums shrink back include:
- History of orthodontic treatment
- Aggressive brushing and flossing
- Genetics
- Misaligned teeth
- Clenching or grinding your teeth (Bruxism)
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
Unfortunately, some of these causes are beyond your control. However, discussing the causes of your gum recession with a periodontal professional in Rochester, NY, is always important.
Signs of Gum Recession
Initial signs of gum recession may be subtle and may include
- Teeth that appear longer
- Sensitivity to cold and hot
- Bleeding gums
Catching early signs of gum recession is important for proper treatment and full recovery.
Surgical Procedure for Treating Gum Recession
Once your gum recession occurs, the only way to reverse it is by surgical procedure done by an experienced perodontist. Here are some of the surgical treatment options:
Gum Grafting
The gold standard in gum recession treatment is a soft tissue graft. Gum grafting is a surgical procedure used to repair gum recession. In traditional gum recession treatment, a tissue graft is performed.
Also known as soft tissue grafting, this procedure requires the periodontist to remove a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth after administering a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. The periodontist then uses a special surgical technique to place the tissue over the exposed roots and secure it with sutures.
This procedure has a success rate of more than 95%[2] in treating gum recession and will help ensure the health of your gums and teeth.
Allograft Surgery
Allograft is a skin tissue graft harvested from a human donor and processed to be used for tooth root coverage. It is secured to the root surface in a similar way as a soft tissue graft. The benefit of this procedure is that the graft is not harvested from the root of the mouth, and therefore, the healing is more comfortable. However, this procedure has a lower success rate and stability over time.
Animal Collagen Graft
This graft material is made of processed animal collagen. The procedure and the benefits and disadvantages are the same as the allograft. Similar to the allograft procedure, the graft is not harvested from the root of the mouth, making healing more comfortable. However, this procedure also has a lower success rate and stability over time.
Laser Technology
Laser technology is a minimally invasive technique used to remove bacteria in deep periodontal pockets caused by receding gums. This would allow the affected tissues to properly heal from bacteria.
Get Healthy Gums With Gum Recession Surgery in Rochester
Ignoring symptoms of gum recession isn’t wise. The condition can significantly impact your mouth and increase your chance of losing teeth. You can better your gum and oral health by getting gum recession surgery from a skilled periodontist.
If you have gum recession and want to learn about treatment options, contact Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester at 585-534-3346. We’re ready to help you take control of your oral health.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/gum-disease/index.html
[2] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23504-gum-graft-surgery
