One of the main causes of gingival recession is an irregular or abnormal tooth position. A tooth may protrude because it was crowded when permanent teeth began to push through the gingivae. As a result, inadequate jaw bone covers the tooth’s root. The con- dition sometimes is noticeable by age 10 years. Heredity is another factor. A person simply may have thin, fragile or insufficient gingival tissue. Other causes of recession include aggres sive or excessive toothbrushing, trauma to gingival tissues and periodontal disease.
When minor recession is ignored, continued reces- sion and bone loss around teeth are likely. Treat- ment methods vary according to the type and severity of recession. If it is due to excessive or aggressive brushing, a dental office staff member can show you more effective oral hygiene methods. Soft-tissue graft surgery (called gingival or gum grafts) and other procedures help create more attached gingiva to prevent gingival reces sion from progressing and to help regenerate and re-establish root coverage. During a tissue graft, the dentist removes a thin piece of gingival tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth or another site in the mouth and grafts it to the site where the gingival tissue has receded. In some cases, freeze-dried tissue prod- ucts or synthetic membranes may be used. Tissue grafts may be performed around one or more teeth. Creating gingival tissue reduces the likelihood of further recession, helps cover exposed roots, enhances the appearance of the gum line and prevents or treats root sensitivity. If recession is due to periodontal disease, the first step usually involves a special cleaning, called scaling and root planing. For many patients, this treatment—along with excellent oral hygiene at home and regular dental checkups—can help stop periodontal disease and prevent further gingival loss.
