What is gum recession?
Gum recession (receding gums) is the loss of gum tissue along the gum line. It is a common problem that can occur at nearly any age. It results in exposure of root surfaces and can significantly change the appearance of your teeth. Once changes in your gum line are noticed, you should contact LESPARODONTISTES so that we can restore your youthful smile.
There are many factors that can contribute to gum recession and they vary from person to person. Some of the most common causes include untreated periodontal disease, aggressive brushing habits, teeth grinding or clenching, crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, oral piercing and orthodontic and restorative appliances.
Why should gum recession be taken seriously?
Gum recession can result in tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, a longer-than-normal appearance of the teeth or a notch near the gum line. If left untreated, the gum recession continues and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are damaged further. Gum recession can lead to tooth loss.
There are several techniques to correct gingival recession and we select the most appropriate one to treat each patients’ specific problem.
Free gingival graft
A small surface layer of tissue is removed from the palate and relocated to a tooth with gum recession or thin gum tissues. This grafting technique is specifically used to thicken the existing gum tissue.
Connective tissue graft
Donor tissue is harvested from the interior layer of the palate and relocated to a tooth with gum recession. It is sutured in place and the existing gum tissue is pulled overtop. This grafting technique is specifically used to cover exposed roots.
Allograft (AlloDerm®, PerioDerm) Acellular Dermis
In certain patients, it is deemed inappropriate to remove donor tissue from the palate. An allograft acellular dermis can be used instead to treat gum recession.
Pinhole Surgical TechniqueTM
The Pinhole Surgical Technique is a breakthrough procedure that treats gum recession without the use of scalpels or stitches and no donor tissue is required. It can treat an isolated gum recession or an entire arch in a single appointment.
First, the gum recession area is numbed and cleaned. Then a small hole is made above it, the size of a pinhole. Through this access point, small, angled instruments are inserted to free the gum tissue and reposition it to cover exposed areas of the teeth. Collagen strips inserted between the teeth through the small opening to reinforce the new gum placement and stimulate healing. The procedure takes less than an hour and recovery time is greatly reduced.