Receding gums Gum disease
Gum recession is the gum pulling back from the tooth and exposing the root. Gums do not grow back on their own. A periodontist covers exposed roots with a gum graft or the Pinhole Surgical Technique, which repositions the gum through a small opening without stitches.
Signs
- Teeth look longer
- Sensitivity to cold
- A notch or ledge at the gumline
- Root surface visible
- Gaps near the gumline
Risk factors
- Hard or horizontal brushing
- Thin gum tissue (genetic)
- Periodontitis
- Clenching and grinding
- Lip or tongue piercings
- Tobacco
Can receding gums grow back?
No. Gum tissue that has receded does not regrow. Stopping the cause (hard brushing, gum disease, grinding) halts further recession. Covering the root needs a procedure.
How are receding gums treated?
| Treatment | How it works |
|---|---|
| Connective tissue graft | Tissue from the palate placed under the gum over the root. The most studied method for root coverage. |
| Free gingival graft | Surface tissue from the palate to thicken thin gums. |
| Donor tissue graft | Processed tissue in place of palate tissue; no second surgical site. |
| Pinhole Surgical Technique | A small opening; the gum is loosened and moved down over the roots, held with collagen strips. No graft, no stitches. |
Is gum recession serious?
Exposed roots decay faster, stay sensitive and lose support. Recession with bone loss from periodontitis can loosen teeth. Early treatment keeps the options simple.
Questions
Does gum grafting hurt?
The area is numb during surgery. Afterward, the palate donor site is usually the sorer spot for a few days. Donor tissue and the Pinhole technique avoid the palate.
How long does a gum graft last?
A graft that heals well is permanent tissue. It stays stable when the cause, such as hard brushing, is corrected.
Is Pinhole better than a graft?
Each suits different cases. Pinhole treats several teeth through one opening with less discomfort; grafts add tissue thickness that Pinhole does not. A periodontist chooses by gum thickness and bone level.
Sources
Gum disease Read next
GingivitisGingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque at the gumline.
Bleeding gumsBleeding gums are the most common early sign of gum disease.
Gum painGum pain most often comes from inflamed gums, food or debris trapped under the gum, a periodontal abscess, or brushing too hard.
Loose teethAn adult tooth that moves has lost support.
Bad breathMost chronic bad breath (halitosis) starts in the mouth: bacteria on the back of the tongue, in gum pockets and under old dental work release sulfur compounds.
Gum disease and your healthPeriodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and its effects reach beyond the mouth.