Here is an overview of some of the treatments that a periodontist may recommend in your case.
Root scaling and planing: If the gum recession is still early stage, this specialized deep cleaning technique may be able to eliminate the presence of disease-causing oral bacteria and address the receding gums. With this intervention, the periodontist will clean thoroughly underneath the gum tissue and smooth over any rough spots where bacteria might congregate. Any pockets between the gums and teeth are eliminated and the gum tissue is reattached to the top of the tooth.
Gum grafting: For more advanced gum recession, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage and restore healthy gum tissue. Gum grafting uses donor tissue, which may come from adjacent gum tissue or from the roof of the patient’s mouth, and inserts it at the site of gum recession to replace the missing tissue.
If you have noticed a loss of gum tissue (or increased sensitivity in the root area of the tooth, which can also suggest gum recession), it is essential that you get treatment promptly in order to prevent the further progression of your gum disease, which can lead to the loss of teeth and bone tissue in the jaw.
Furthermore, after getting an initial treatment for gum recession, you must be diligent about maintaining a thorough oral hygiene regimen at home and following up with a professional for ongoing monitoring at regular intervals. These actions will help to reduce your risk of a relapse.
You don’t have to suffer from the consequences of receding gums. Effective treatments are available. To learn more about your options, call our office to set up an evaluation with one of our experienced providers.