Gum recessions – Warsaw – Niewada Clinic
Modern dentistry means working in full harmony of the so-called “white and red aesthetics”. Maintaining the natural proportions of the teeth in relation to the gums makes the smile fit perfectly into the frame of the mouth. Thanks to the field of periodontal microsurgery in our clinic we correct irregular gum lines, exposed tooth necks, crowns that are too long or too short, or gum or bone loss after tooth extractions.
Each case is individually evaluated by us. Based on a thorough diagnosis, we choose the most promising treatment protocol, which we will discuss with you during your visit to our clinic.
Treatment of Gum Recession
Visible tooth roots
Recession coverage
Recession is the exposure of the root surface due to a apical shift of the gingival line (“gingival shrinkage”), resulting in teeth that are visually too long and more sensitive to heat and cold.Moreover they are also more prone to caries!
Microsurgery is the answer. Before proceeding with the treatment, it is important to determine the exact cause of the recession and then eliminate it. The main causes are bite disorders, periodontitis or improper brushing.
Covering the recession helps to restore the lost gum and impede the process of root exposure. As a result, it prevents the loss of bone surrounding the tooth, protects it from decay, reduces sensitivity and improves aesthetics.
Gummy Smile
Gummy Smile is a situation, when too much gum becomes visible when smiling and the teeth appear optically smaller.
What Does The Treatment Look Like?
The procedure involves removing excessive gum and bone and then shaping the gum line accordingly, so as to visually expose more of the tooth. This procedure is performed on one or more teeth. Sometimes a gummy smile correction entails veneers or crowns. Restoring harmony between the gums and teeth makes the patient smile more confidently and more often.
Clinical crown lengthening
A subgingival fracture of the tooth wall or caries reaching deep into the space under the gums does not have to automatically mean that the tooth needs to be extracted! In these cases, we choose to expose the damaged surface before performing the restoration.
Even the best filling or crown won’t last long if it’s done deep under the gums, where you can’t clean your teeth well. A buildup of bacteria can lead to recurrence of tooth decay, as well as further periodontal problems.
With the crown lengthening procedure, we reshape the gum and bone to avoid the same problems in the future.
Gum grafts around implants
Gum and connective tissue grafts are widely used in cosmetic dentistry and implantology. We use them to equalize the gum line after bone loss, to change the so-called gum biotype and very often in implantology to improve aesthetics and restore lost tissue around the implants.
When one or more teeth are lost, bone and gum shrinkage occurs. The area looks unsightly, and the subsequent crown will be too long compared to the adjacent teeth.
Additionally, food can be trapped under the crown which can be irritating and cause inflammation. Therefore, such a defect should be corrected before the restoration is performed.
For this purpose, modern microsurgery is used – a soft tissue augmentation procedure is performed within the alveolar ridge and the original outline of the gum is recreated.
The new tooth will thus look natural and be easy to clean.
Frenotomy
It is a simple procedure performed under standard local anesthesia. It involves cutting (or sometimes complete excision, known as frenulectomy) of the abnormally located frenulum of lip or tongue.
Fiberotomy
Sometimes after the orthodontic treatment, the fibers surrounding the tooth are still active, trying to rotate the tooth back to its original position. This procedure involves cutting these fibers and is sometimes performed at the end of orthodontic treatment to maintain the results achieved.
FAQ
What Should I Do to Accelerate the Healing Process?
Gum recession is a disorder in which the gums shrink and expose the tooth root surface. It is often an aesthetic problem, that can also cause hypersensitivity to hot and cold, acidic or sweet foods as well as to brushing. The uncovered root is exposed to a direct attack of irritants and bacteria. It may predispose to the development of caries or inflammation of the tooth pulp and, consequently, to root canal treatment.
What to Do When Roots Get Exposed?
First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the source of recession, i.e. to learn how to properly brush teeth, replace improperly made fillings or crowns and eliminate tooth overload. Sometimes, misaligned teeth need to be corrected with orthodontic treatment. Once the causes have been eliminated, the recession correction can proceed.
What Causes Gingival Recession?
Recessions are often the effect of dental overload associated with bruxism, i.e. grinding and clenching of teeth, the presence of thin and delicate gums, inaccurately made and insufficiently polished “fillings” and prosthetic crowns as well as aggressive brushing and use of too hard toothbrushes.
How Do I Prepare for Recession Coverage?
Before covering the recession, it is important to take care of your oral hygiene, which can determine the success of the treatment. Therefore, visiting our professional hygienist will be necessary before the procedure.
