What is gum recession?
Gum recession, also known as gingival recession, is the migration of the gum margin exposing the root of the tooth. This leads to considerable oral problems. In fact, it is a fairly common oral pathology.
There are four types of gingival recession, according to Miller’s classification:
- Class I: Recession of marginal tissues that does not reach the mucogingival line.
- Class II: Recession of marginal tissues that extends or goes beyond the mucogingival junction without loss of periodontal attachment (bone or soft tissues) in the interdental area.
- Class III: Recession of marginal tissues extending or going beyond the mucogingival junction with loss of periodontal attachment in the interdental area or malposition of teeth.
- Class IV: Recession of marginal tissues extending to or beyond the mucogingival junction with severe bone or soft tissue loss in the interdental area and/or severe dental malposition.
Prognosis of the disease
Something that the patient should know from the beginning is that the gum does not grow back, so to correct the esthetic defect and its consequences it is necessary to make a gingival graft. But before performing the graft it is necessary to eliminate the causal factor.
Symptoms of receding gums
Gum recession favors the appearance of:
- Hypersensitivity to cold and heat
- Appearance of root caries
- Progressive loss of the gum and bone that supports the tooth and, in some cases, can lead to tooth loss.
In the case of anterior (front) teeth, it can be an esthetic problem that worries the patient.
To avoid receding gums, it is essential to avoid habits such as smoking or overly aggressive brushing.
Medical tests for receding gums
The diagnosis of receding gums is made by observation. The patient himself will be able to detect it by looking at the typical symptoms of receding gums and hypersensitivity.
What are the causes of receding gums?
The most frequent causes are:
- Periodontal diseases such as pyorrhea.
- Traumatic brushing
- Tooth malposition
- Incorrect dental treatment
- Mechanical trauma (biting objects, piercings…)
Can it be prevented?
The best way to prevent receding gums is to avoid the causes of receding gums and plaque accumulation. The patient should be aware that it is essential to avoid habits such as smoking or overly aggressive brushing, while maintaining proper oral hygiene. In the case of observing any change or possible appearance of periodontal disease, the dentist should be consulted so that an evaluation can be made.
Treatments for receding gums
The steps to follow to treat gingival recession are:
- Elimination of the causative factor:
- Pyorrhea treatment: removing bacteria and tartar around the teeth and inside the gums, which is done by hand instruments (curettes) and/or ultrasonic instruments.
- Treatment for traumatic and vigorous brushing: change the brushing technique to a gentle and vertical tooth brushing from gum to tooth.
- After elimination of the causative factor, gingival resurfacing surgery may be considered.
If the recession continues to progress despite proper brushing, periodontal microsurgical techniques can be performed, which consist of a covering of the gum through the reuse of the patient’s own tissue or a biomaterial known as acellular dermal matrix (biomaterial).
Which specialist treats it?
The specialists in treating this pathology are dentists and odontologists.