Gum Recession

Gum recession is a process in which the margin of the gingiva is located below the level of the enamel and the surface of the root is exposed.

Gum recession may be caused by an aggressive and erroneous tooth brushing, a tooth brushing more than 3 times a day, an aggressive brushing technique, the location and position changes in the teeth, high and atypical frenulum, gingivitis, and incorrect fillings and veneers. It is not possible to define a certain age range for the gum recession, which can be seen in all groups of the society.

Gum recession may lead to an abnormal plaque formation, root caries, aesthetic problems and tooth sensitivity due to exposure of the root surface. When left untreated, aggressive losses may also be observed in the hard tissue surrounding the tooth over time, thus causing the tooth losses.

Treatment of the gum recession

In the treatment of the gum recession, firstly, the existing damages in the dental tissue are eliminated, the sensitivity is eliminated, if any, and finally, the surgical replacement of the lost gingival tissue is performed. If the lost and/or recessed gingival tissue is in the posterior regions, a filling appropriate for the color of the tooth is applied on the tooth surface, or the tooth surface is protected by applying a tooth veneering method. In the case that the gum recession is seen in an aesthetic region, the gingival surgery is essential to meet the aesthetic expectation.

The first method in the gingival surgery is to transfer the connective tissue taken beneath the retromolar or palatinal mucosa to the region where the gingiva is recessed, and this is called free gingival graft. The second method is defined as a flap advancement. In the flap advancement, in the case that the intact tissues adjacent to the region where the gingiva is recessed are healthy, they are advanced to the recessed region and fixed. Both methods are applied under local anesthesia; they do not cause a feeling different from the other operations which are applied intraorally under local anesthesia. The postoperative process, patient cooperation and patient follow-up are as important as the intraoperative process for the success of the procedure. After the procedure, the operation area should be kept clean, smoking should be avoided, consumption of the hard and spicy foods should be avoided, and the medicines prescribed by the doctor should be used meticulously.