Gum Recession
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Gum recession exposes the roots of your teeth, making the teeth appear longer than they normally should.
Gum recession exposes the roots of your teeth, making the teeth appear longer than they normally should. Not only will you look older with receded gums, but your teeth will become sensitive to heat and cold. They will also be subjected to increased damage since the root surfaces are softer than tooth enamel and not as well protected.
Gum recession is a common issue and has many causes. Gum recession can develop because of pockets forming around the teeth due to gum infections, genetics, and some previous orthodontic therapy. Gum recession will only increase as infected or diseased gum tissue dies. The gum will eventually recede all the way to the root of the tooth when the disease is left untreated for extended periods of time.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will help you with any gum recession treatments. We offer a wide assortment of different and important periodontal and dental implant services. Our compassionate and caring team works meticulously on a goal of providing you the absolute best quality service for your overall oral health. We will address your dental concerns with you in a peaceful, relaxing environment, and approach your dental care as an important partner on your health care team. If you would like to have an evaluation about the potential of a gum recession solution, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273 to schedule your appointment today.
Unfortunately, gum recession often occurs slowly and over such a long period of time that you may not realize that there is a problem until it is has reached an advanced stage. At this time, the tooth root is exposed and susceptible to infection, decay, and even deterioration. Untreated gum disease can also lead to jawbone deterioration and is the single most common cause of tooth loss among adults. Additionally, untreated gum disease can result in other associated health issues which include diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They are board certified periodontist, which means they have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
Some Common Causes of Gum Recession
The most common causes of gum recession are:
- Severe periodontitis, gum disease- Once bacteria begins to build-up along the gum line, it can cause gum disease to develop. This affliction needs to be treated immediately because it will cause excessive bleeding and plaque build-up below the gum line. If you have reached this stage of gum disease, we will need to schedule an initial series of deep cleanings and regular checkups. You may need to consider tissue and root therapy, or even more intensive procedures to address the disease.
- Misaligned teeth-This ailment is caused by the uneven alignment of teeth due to an incorrect bite. If you are suffering from malocclusion you may notice excessive wear, tearing, and strain on your teeth and gums. If this is left untreated or uncorrected, your gums will eventually begin to recede. This will also result in bone loss, which in turn results in you losing a tooth or teeth.
- Inadequate earlier dental hygiene-If brushing and flossing are performed incorrectly or not at all, a plaque build-up will begin to affect your teeth. The plaque contains damaging bacterial toxins which will promote infection and erode the underlying jawbone.
- Overly aggressive brushing or flossing- Over brushing can almost be as damaging to the gums as too little. Brushing too hard or brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush will erode the tooth enamel at the gum line, and then irritate or inflame the gum tissue.
- Tobacco products- Any kind of tobacco use has devastating and damaging effects on your entire oral cavity. Chewing tobacco aggravates the gingival lining of the mouth and causes gum recession if used continuously.
- Genetics- Gum disease and gum recession can be the result of your predisposed genetics. You should try to learn as soon as possible if this is the case for Implant Dentistry and Periodontics to take preventative measures to lessen the impacts and learn about available treatments and preventative procedures that can help improve any damage caused by recession or disease.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
Symptoms that may be Indicative of Gum Recession
Gum recession is an incredibly widespread problem that Implant Dentistry and Periodontics diagnoses and treats daily. Here are a few telling symptoms:
- Sensitive teeth – When your gums recede enough to expose the cementum protecting the tooth root, the dentin tubules beneath will become more susceptible to external stimuli.
- Visible roots – One of the main characteristics of a more severe case of gum recession.
- Longer-looking teeth – If you are experiencing gum recession you may have a “toothy” smile. The length of the teeth is normal, but the gum tissue has been lost, making the teeth appear longer.
- Halitosis, inflammation, and bleeding – These symptoms are quite characteristic of gingivitis or gum disease. A bacterial infection causes gum recession will cause tooth loss if not treated promptly.
Treatment of Gum Recession
Every case of gum recession is slightly different, and therefore many treatments are available at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics. The nature of the problem which has caused the gum recession to begin with needs to be addressed first.
If overly aggressive brushing techniques are eroding your gums, a softer toothbrush and a gentler brushing technique will be advised. If poor oral hygiene is a problem, a good professional dental cleaning may be recommended to rid the gum pockets of debris and bacteria. In the case of a severe tartar build up, we will perform a scaling and root planing procedure to heal the gingival inflammation and clean the teeth.
Once the cause of the gum recession has been addressed, we may recommend a surgery of a more cosmetic or restorative nature. Gum tissue regeneration and gum grafting are two excellent ways to restore natural symmetry to the gums and make your smile look more aesthetically pleasing again.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do it in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to take up technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
When you visit our outstanding team at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, you will be surrounded in professionalism and a warm and friendly team that has the most advanced dental technology at our disposal in our clinic. We are quite endearing because we understand exactly how different and unique each patient really is. We methodically plan personalized treatments that work for your desires and budget. We strive to place value back into your undervalued personal asset, your smile, so every dental procedure we perform is with your best interests and oral health in mind.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we are focused on maintaining a relaxed and stress-free clinic, and we want you to be comfortable with our consistency in our abilities and services. Scheduling an appointment for a potential gum recession procedure is an important step towards being proactive in your oral health and regaining your healthy smile. To schedule an appointment, call our Indianapolis office, 8801 North Meridian St., Ste 103, Indianapolis, at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office, 9885 E. 116th St, Ste 300, Fishers, at 317-842-2273.