Gingival (Gum) Recession

What is gingival recession?
Gingival recession is the exposure of the roots of the teeth after gum level decreases to a level which is under dentine layer.

Among which age groups is gingival recession seen?
Gingival recession is seen among all individuals from teenagers to the elderly.

What are the causes of gingival recession?
Improper brushing technique, the number (more than 3) of brushes given to teeth, brushing the teeth roughly, disposition of the teeth, high and abnormal frenulums, gum diseases and improper fillings and veneers cause gingival recession.

To avoid gingival recession what should I do?
Teeth must be brushed with a medium-hard brush in circular motions. It should never be too hard.

How do gum diseases cause gingival recession?
Gum diseases are the inflammatory diseases which occur within the gums. Inflammation which emerges within the gums causes corrosion and recession of the bone tissue which covers the teeth.

May I use my old fillings and veneers after gum recession treatment?
All fillings and veneers must be renovated after gum recession treatment.

What kind of problems does gum recession create?
Plaque accumulation after gum recession, due to brush deterioration, cause decays, sensitive teeth and esthetic problems.

Will I lose my teeth due to gum recession?
Tooth loss may occur when gum level decreases to a certain level and hard tissue is lost completely.

What are the treatments of gum recession?
There are 3 treatment methods which are namely treatment of the damage on the tooth tissue, treatment of tooth sensitivity, and surgical replacement of gum tissue.

How is the damage on the tooth tissue treated?
Damage on the tooth tissue is treated by applying fillings or covering the tooth completely. In this treatment, tooth sensitivity is also cured.

In which circumstances is gum surgery preferred?
Gum surgery is preferred when gum recession occurs in the front area and causes esthetic problems, gum disease proceeds, and veneers are not enough for molar coverings.

How is gum surgery performed?
Gum surgery is performed in 2 ways. In the first method, which is called gum grafting, pieces which are called grafts are removed from the palate and placed in the area where recession occurs. In the second method, which is called flap (surgery), if there are healthy tissues around the area where recession occurs, these tissues are lifted from there and moved to the area where the recession is and covers them.

Will I feel any pain?
Gum surgery is performed under local anesthesia and it is not different from other prosthesis applications and surgical interventions. No pain is felt during operation and mild painkillers will be enough after operation. Sometimes, open wound on palate may remain if grafting method is used. For the next 3-4 days, this may cause discomfort if something touches that area. This discomfort completely disappears within a week and wound area heals without any scars.

To what should I pay attention after gum surgery?
The most important point after gum surgery is that the area should be kept from mechanical traumas. You should pay attention to what you eat and abstain from hard shelled food. Keeping the operation area clean is one of the most important factors which affects the result of the treatment.

May I smoke during healing process?
Patients should abstain from smoking before the gum surgery and during healing process of 1 week. It is very important that the newly formed tissue is nourished well and smoking affects nourishment negatively. Gum operations are not convenient for heavy smokers.

Are stitches put in after operation? When are they taken out if put?
Stitches are usually put in after gum surgeries and they are taken out after a week.

Are scars left after operation?
Color differences between the areas where the graft is taken and where it is placed occur after grafting processes. In cases, in which artificial grafts are used and in flap, no scar is left.

What are the innovations in gum surgery?
In recent years, various innovations are made in gum recession treatment. From now on, in gum grafting, artificial grafts are used instead of grafts which are taken from the patient in many cases and discomfort after this operation is eliminated.
Gels which contain dentin matrix protein, being used in flap surgeries, increase the success rate of treatments and decrease discomfort which occurs after operations.