Should Gingival Recession Be Treated?
Please see our previous blog on what IS gingival recession.
Should gingival recession be treated? The answer is, it depends! This blog will explore some of the reasons to treat or not to treat gingival recession. We hope you enjoy it!
We care about gingival recession for many reasons. Mostly because we want you to save your teeth for a lifetime and gingival recession is not a normal process of aging. Most importantly your dentist should help you determine the cause of your gingival recession and then tell you the things you can do to prevent it from continuing.
Several areas of gingival or gum recession noted
The gingival recession pictured here is severe. The patient has been informed as to the likely causes of his recession (Orthodontic movement of the teeth combined with excessive and hard tooth brushing) and instructed in how to prevent it from getting worse. Our patient really wants to have a better looking smile! The following are the patient’s main concerns:
- Dark colored front teeth
- Short side teeth (lateral incisors)
- Poor alignment of the front teeth
- Gingival recession is only a minor concern
Now, please look at the photo of our patient’s smile. Even with a wide smile, the gingival recession cannot be seen. The most noticeable things about the smile are the discolored or dark front teeth and the short side teeth that seem to stick out.
The patient’s concerns are apparent in this smile photo.
Our office decided to start with study models to show the patient what could be done to improve his smile. Conservative treatment including four porcelain veneers on his front teeth would take care of his esthetic concerns. We elected not to treat the gingival recession for these reasons:
- The gingival recession was not visible in his smile
- Gingival recession is very difficult to treat successfully
- We can monitor the recession over time and assure that it is not getting worse
- The patient has been instructed in the things he can do to prevent further gingival recession. This includes proper brushing and a gentle or no tooth paste.
- The gentlest thing next to gums is healthy tooth structure – not dental restorations
- Even with the recession, there is still adequate healthy gums around each tooth.
When you look at our result compared to the before treatment photo, you can see how well the gum tissue is responding to the new porcelain veneers. The improvement in the smile was perfect for our patient and addressed his cosmetic concerns while conserving healthy tooth structure and minimizing unnecessary surgery.
Our office would be happy to help you take the best care possible of your teeth. You can reach our Grand Junction, Colorado office at (970) 242-3635. Or visit our website at www.juliegillisdds.com for more information. We would love to have you visit and like us on Facebook or Instagram. Find us at Julie Gillis DDS on Facebook or DDSJulie on Instagram