NJ Specialty Permit
No. 030026

Receding Gums

Gums recede for a variety of reasons.  Recession could be caused by generalized bone loss associated with age, overly aggressive tooth brushing, or periodontal disease.  If recessions occurs around isolated teeth, it should be treated as soon as possible with a gum graft.  During gum graft surgery, the Periodontist takes healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and places it over the receded gum areas to be corrected.  As you can see from the following illustrations, a healthy zone of attached gingival (gum tissue) can be reestablished.

Area of receded gum above the upper to be corrected.  Right lateral incisor, canine and 1^st and 2^nd bicuspids to be corrected.

Six weeks after complete healing you can see healthy gum tissue reestablished, protecting the roots and improving cosmetics.

Notice receded gum over the lower right central incisor.

Six weeks later, the gum graft has returned the central incisor to a more normal gum contour.