Gum Recession
Gentle Care.
Clear Communication.
Outstanding Results.
What is gum recession?
The gums are the thick pink tissue around your teeth and their job is to provide a thick, healthy seal around the tooth so that plaque, food, and bacteria can be easily cleaned away by your brush and floss. Gum recession is a condition where the gums lose that seal by thinning and shrinking away from the teeth. When that seal is lost, bacteria can now crawl deeper into the gum tissue which may lead to other concerns like inflammation, root cavities, and more recession.
What causes gum recession?
Gum recession can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
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Heavy toothbrushing
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Clenching/grinding
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Gum disease
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Genetics/Anatomy
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Tooth position and/or orthodontic tooth movement
Does recession mean I am going to lose the tooth?
Gum recession is extremely common in adults and does not directly lead to tooth loss. However, if the seal of the gum tissue continues to weaken, it can lead to conditions like inflammation, infection, or cavities that can lead to tooth loss. These complications can be prevented with predictable treatment of the gum recession.
What is the treatment for gum recession?
The most common way to treat gum recession is called a gum graft. The goal of gum grafting is to thicken the gum tissue, thereby strengthening the seal of the gum to the tooth so that your brush and floss can keep the area clean and healthy for a long time. In order to strengthen the gums, a piece of tissue is surgically placed into the thinning area and sutured in place. That graft will then grow into new gum tissue, identical to the patient’s own gums, and provide a thick healthy band of tissue for a long time.
Our team strives to provide the outstanding results but also minimize the post-operative recovery. Dr. Setter has been specially trained in advanced minimally invasive gum recession treatments. Learn more about our advanced therapy here.
The best way to determine the ideal gum recession treatment for you is to contact our office today to schedule your comprehensive, no-obligation examination. Simply call us at 503-222-9961 or contact us using our convenient online form. We look forward to helping you have a happier, healthier smile!
To make an appointment, please call our office at 503-222-9961 or e-mail us at
frontdesk@setterperio.com. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you!