U.S.Dental (also known as Tufts Dental)
Dr.Gina Sohn - Tufts Graduate
U.S Dentist in Seoul / Licensed in MA, CT, NJ
http://www.drginasohn.com
Tel 02-553-7512 / Overseas 822-553-7512
Gum Recession
Teeth sensitivity from exposed roots is quite annoying. When the weather gets cold, even the cold air we breathe in every day can start it.
Tooth brushing trauma is the predominant causative factor in the development of recession. Brushing too often with a hard tooth brush will cut the enamel and gum away and slowly expose root surfaces. Other factors that may lead to gum recession are inflammation from plaque, pull from high frenum, thin bony housing, and thin gum tissue.
The treatment includes either restoring the lesions with a filling material or surgically covering the root with a tissue graft.A question that is frequently asked is how does one decide the best treatment (restorative versus surgical).
Restorations are recommended when;
1. The defect is mainly in enamel.
2. There is adequate attached gingival.
3. Esthetic is not of primary concern.
4. There is some loss of interdental bone making complete root coverage impossible.
Gum graft is recommended when;
1. No enamel defect is present. It’s mainly in the root.
2. There is no attached gingival.
3. Esthetic is of primary concern.
4. There is no loss of interdental bone with adequate papilla length.
Gum graft.
There is evidence to indicate that gum graft procedures result in decreased root sensitivity and improved esthetics.
There are multiple periodontal esthetic surgery approaches for the treatment of gingival recession defects. These surgeries generally include the manipulation of the patient’s tissues to augment the soft tissues and cover the exposed root surface.
However, gum grafts aren’t always successful. In order to increase the success rate, there are factors to be taken into account;
The level of interdental bone may be of greatest significance for the outcome of root coverage procedures. From a biological point of view, complete root coverage is achievable in recession defects where interdental bone loss is minimal or none. When there is some loss of interdental bone , only partial facial root coverage is attainable.
An additional factor shown to influence the degree of attainable root coverage is the dimension of the recession defect. Less favorable treatment outcome has been reported at sites with wide (> 3 mm) and deep (> 5 mm) recession.5
Poor oral hygiene will influence the success of root coverage procedures.
Smoking is an additional factor as it relates to the wound healing aspect of grafting.
