Gum Recession Treatment in Dallas

The most common causes of gum recession are:

• severe periodontitis (gum disease)
• misaligned teeth
• teeth grinding
• inadequate earlier dental hygiene
• overly aggressive brushing or flossing
• tobacco products
• trauma to the teeth
• prior orthodontic treatment
• genetics

Thin gums cannot support the teeth adequately and will eventually lead to gum recession and erosin of the exposed tooth root. Gum grafting can also be done to correct thin gums and prevent gur recession from occurring.

The tooth roots are softer than tooth enamel and are more prone to erosion and more sensitive to heat, cold and sweets. They can also be damaged from bacteria, food acids and aggressive brushing. Teeth with exposed roots can eventually become so worn down that they loosen or fracture.

During your initial examination and consultation, Dr. Ovadia or Dr. Tanur will determine the extent of your gum recession and the extent of any contributing factors. They will present what they found in detail and will thoroughly explain your treatment options so you understand what is happening and know what to expect. They will answer any questions and give advice on the best path to take to address your specific situation.

Our doctors use microsurgical instrumentation when performing a gum graft. Microsurgery incisions are far less invasive and require far less suturing. Healing is faster and there is much less postoperative discomfort.

The doctor harvests a small length of connective soft tissue from the palate for most grafts. Donated sterilized human tissue can also be used with equal success in many cases. When the doctor determines that either source will work equally well for the desired result, he will present your graft options to you during your initial consultation.

Dr. Tanur and Dr. Ovadia use a surgical “tunneling” technique for gum grafting which removes the need to make incisions around the teeth and pull the gums back in flaps. Healing is faster and far more comfortable than with traditional surgical methods, and scarring is avoided.

The new gums look very natural and do not have the small white patches that can result from traditional surgical methods. They will have the normal pink color and will integrate smoothly with the rest of your gum tissue.