WatchGum Recession
Understanding gum recession when teeth start looking longer
Gum recession is often behind a tooth that looks longer or more yellow than its neighbors, or a sudden sharp jolt from hot and cold drinks. As the gums pull back, the root of the tooth, softer and more porous than the enamel above it, becomes exposed, which brings on sensitivity, root cavities, and uneven smile esthetics.
What's driving it, and why it matters, is what this video explains. The common culprits include aggressive brushing, crowded teeth, grinding from untreated TMJ issues, untreated gum disease, and sometimes just the way the teeth are positioned in the jaw. Once recession sets in, it tends to progress unless the underlying cause is addressed.
Most often, treatment means a soft tissue graft: a small piece of gum tissue, taken from your own mouth or a donor source, is secured over the exposed root. That graft does double duty, shielding the tooth from further damage while restoring a more even, natural-looking gumline.
Noticing any of these changes? Please don't wait. At Brammeier Dental of Naperville we'll pinpoint the cause, treat any contributing factors, and decide whether a grafting procedure is right for you before the recession progresses further.
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Our complete treatment guide covers what to expect, the procedure step by step, recovery, costs, and answers to the questions patients ask most.
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