Repairing Gum Recession

North Dallas Dental Health

High-Tech.
High-Touch.

Overview

Gum recession is common in people of all ages and is the result of your teeth missing or losing part of their bony foundation. Since bone is a scaffold that holds the gums in place, an absence of bone can lead to gum recession. Also, there are two types of gum tissue, one strong and one weak. Recession is more likely in the absence of strong gum tissue called attached gingiva (gum). This type has fibers that form a strong attachment to the tooth and underlying bone. The weak type lacks this attachment strength and is more prone to recession. When you have both bone loss and the weak gum, recession is often simply the result of normal, daily activities such as tooth brushing and eating. The use of a medium or hard bristle manual brush with abrasive toothpaste can speed up the recession in areas of weak gum.

A Great Solution

Some cases of gum recession are self limiting, but most are not. For example, recession that results from overzealous brushing can be stopped with a change in cleaning habits such as the use of a soft bristle brush and toothpaste without aggressive abrasive material (such as toothpastes designed to whiten teeth). Some areas may continue to recede, which is where therapy to increase the quantity of strong gum comes in. This usually involves the grafting of gum tissue, or in some cases donor tissue,from one part of the mouth to a site in which gum recession has occurred. In some cases other materials can be used to strengthen gums.

Advances in tissue engineering have increased the probability of generating new bone and speeding healing at the same time soft tissue grafts are placed. One such approach involves the use of the enamel matrix proteins (e.g. Emdogain). Additionally, there are now donor tissues available (e.g. AlloDerm) that allows us to graft and repair recession defects without the necessity of harvesting gum tissue from a separate donor site.

When should I check into repairing areas of gum recession?

If the recession continues.
If the area is of esthetic concern (appearance).
If the root of the tooth is sensitive to hot or cold.
If orthodontic therapy (braces) will move the affected teeth into prominence.
If restorations (fillings, caps, etc.) touch or go below the gum in an area of recession or thin tissue.

Why Our
Patients
Love Us

Our Testimonials

Schedule your consultation today and discover what personalized, high-tech, high-touch care can do for your oral health. Our team is here to guide you with clarity, comfort, and expertise every step of the way.

“I have gone to Dr John Wilson for extractions and implants and he is wonderful. Takes his time explaining everything and you leave there with no pain. I highly recommend him and his staff.”

– Lauran G.

“Dr.’s Wilson are THE pros in Dallas at what they do. This is my second experience with them to have a dental implant. This last time they saw me on an emergency basis as they were preparing to close the office for the Christmas holiday and the new year. I trust Dr.’s Wilson and their friendly and professional support team 100% and consider myself fortunate to be in their care.”

– Mike H.

“I was really nervous about my dental surgery. But Dr. John Wilson was very patient and understanding. He explained exactly what would happen and helped me prepare. He eased my anxiety, and everything went great. I really appreciate that he understood my concerns and eased my mind. He spent so much time with me before, during, and even weeks after the procedure, I always felt comfortable and knew what to expect.”

– Tatiana T.

“I’m really impressed with Dr Lakshmi Gorugantula and her assistant, Judy. Dr. Gorugantula is brilliant and fixed a problem that three other doctors were unable to solve. She took time to fully explain what was going on and made sure I fully understood. Great experience and highly recommended!!”

– PW P.

“I had an amazing experience at Dr. Wilson’s office for my teeth whitening! The entire team was phenomenal, making it one of the best dental visits of my life. Professional, friendly, and top-notch care—highly recommend!”

– Christopher H.

“These doctors are AWESOME! They went above and beyond for my special needs son to feel comfortable and understand what was going on. I’m so thankful for the wonderful doctors and staff.”

– April H.

“I have been a patient of North Dallas Dental for many years and have been extremely happy with their work. They even ask you to come in every year, free of charge to check their work. They are very conscientious, professional and nice! I highly recommend them!”

– Michele R.