Those who know about gum recontouring tend to see it as a fix for gummy smiles. After all, most patients get this treatment to remove the excess tissue hiding their enamel. Still, you could easily wonder: can gum recontouring also help receding gums? Your Bangor dentist is here to address that very question, so there’s no need to ponder endlessly. Just keep reading to learn about receding gums, how gum recontouring can help them, and why to treat the recession at all.
What Exactly Are Receding Gums?
Of course, the first thing to address is what receding gums are. How recontouring fixes them won’t make sense otherwise.
Receding gums are gum tissues slowly pulling away from one’s teeth. When left unchecked, they expose a patient’s tooth roots and make their teeth seem unnaturally long. These tissues also put you at risk of tooth decay and sensitivity, as they make your smile’s dentin vulnerable to bacteria. Their recession can even lead to bad breath, infections, etc.
In general, the biggest cause of receding gums is poor oral hygiene. Built-up plaque can easily inflame and infect the gums, slowly destroying the tissues around one’s teeth. Such gum disease often leads to (among other things) gum recession.
Can Gum Recontouring Help Them?
Whatever you may have thought, gum recontouring can help with receding gums. This procedure has the power to essentially undo the pink tissue’s recession.
You see, gum recontouring doesn’t just remove excess gum tissue. It can also graft tissue from your mouth’s roof (i.e., your palate) to cover the exposed parts of your teeth. Once that’s done, a dentist can pull your existing gums over the graft and thus protect your tooth roots. The process would even be relatively painless and smooth; it shouldn’t cause you much (if any) discomfort.
To see if you’re a candidate for gum recontouring, simply talk to your local dentist. They’ll gladly assess your gums and see if treatment suits you.
Why Treat Your Receding Gums?
If you treated your receding gums with gum recontouring, you’d enjoy the following perks:
- Nicer Looks – With your receding gums fixed up, you’ll have a more attractive and youthful smile to show off.
- More Confidence – Most patients feel more confident once their teeth look normal and less exposed.
- Less Pain – By protecting your exposed tooth roots, recontouring should reduce any tooth sensitivity you have.
- A Stronger Smile – Gum recontouring covers up exposed tooth roots, reducing your risk of cavities and infections.
If you want gum recontouring to help your receding gums, don’t delay; see your dental provider for treatment!
About the Practice
Creative Dental Solutions is based in Bangor, ME. Led by a dedicated dental team, our practice always strives to make each patient’s smile thrive for a lifetime. We do so by offering preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to your specific oral needs. That way, you and your family are sure to end each appointment with stronger and prettier grins! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (207)-942-3000.