Gum recession treatment stops your gums from pulling back further and, where it is needed, covers exposed tooth roots again. Redondo Beach Dental Group treats receding gums in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Gum recession is common. A review in the Journal of the American Dental Association reported that 88% of people aged 65 and older, and 50% of people aged 18 to 64, have recession at one or more spots in the mouth. If your teeth look longer than they used to or feel sensitive near the gumline, call (310) 542-6988 to book a gum evaluation.
Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
Gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own, and no toothpaste, rinse or supplement has been shown to regrow it. What treatment can do is stop the recession from getting worse and, in many cases, move or add gum tissue so the exposed root is covered again. How much coverage is possible depends on how far the gum has pulled back and how much bone remains between the teeth, which is why an exam comes before any promise about results.
What Causes Gums to Recede
Recession usually has more than one cause, and the cause decides the treatment. The most common are:
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled toothbrush
- Gum disease, which destroys the tissue and bone that hold the gum in place
- Plaque and tartar left along the gumline
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Teeth that sit out of line with the others
- Naturally thin gum tissue, which tends to run in families
Signs worth getting checked
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweets near the gumline
- A notch or ledge you can feel where the tooth meets the gum
- Gums that bleed easily or look swollen
- Bad breath that does not go away
Recession often develops slowly and without pain, so many people first hear about it at a checkup rather than noticing it themselves.
How Gum Recession Is Treated, Step by Step
Treatment follows an order. Covering a root while the cause is still active usually means the gum pulls back again, so the first job is always to find out why it happened.
1. Measure and find the cause
At a gum evaluation, a thin probe measures how far the gum has pulled back on each tooth and how deep the pockets are between the teeth and gums. X-rays show the bone level. Together these show whether gum disease is involved and how much tissue has been lost.
2. Stop the recession from getting worse
When brushing is the cause, a softer toothbrush and a gentler technique are often enough to stop it. When gum disease is the cause, the infection has to be brought under control first, and gum disease treatment usually starts with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline. For sensitive roots in the meantime, a desensitizing toothpaste used every day can take the edge off over several weeks.
3. Cover exposed roots where needed
Not every receded area needs surgery. A small amount of stable recession with no sensitivity may only need watching. Gum surgery to cover the root is usually considered when the root is sensitive, the recession keeps progressing, there is too little firm gum left to protect the tooth, or the look of the gumline bothers you.
Gum Grafting or the Chao Pinhole® Technique
Soft tissue grafting, also called a gum graft, places new tissue over the exposed root and stitches it in place. The tissue may come from the roof of your mouth, from the gum nearby or from a tissue bank. Grafting is the longest-established way to cover roots and to thicken gum that is too thin, and it can treat a single tooth or several.
The Chao Pinhole® technique takes a different route. A small opening is made in the gum with a needle, and special instruments loosen the existing gum tissue and slide it down over the root. No tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth and no stitches are placed. It depends on there being enough healthy gum nearby to move.
Which one fits depends on how thick your gum tissue is, how many teeth are involved, how much bone is left and whether the area also needs more gum, not just repositioned gum. Your dentist will look at those measurements with you before recommending either. Healing time varies with the method and the number of teeth treated; after grafting, many people feel back to normal in about two weeks.
Keeping Recession From Coming Back
- Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and light pressure, angled toward the gumline
- Clean between your teeth once a day
- Stop smoking or using tobacco, which slows healing and raises the risk of further recession
- Keep up with cleanings, including periodontal maintenance visits if you have been treated for gum disease
- Mention any new sensitivity or change in your gumline at your next visit
What Gum Recession Treatment Costs
The cost of gum recession treatment depends on what you need. Changing brushing habits costs nothing, a deep cleaning is often billed one quarter of the mouth at a time, and grafting or the Chao Pinhole technique is priced by the number of teeth treated and, for grafts, the tissue used. Ask for an estimate after your evaluation so you know the number before treatment starts.
Many dental plans cover part of deep cleanings and gum grafting when they are needed for gum health, while treatment done mainly for appearance is less likely to be covered. Your deductible and annual maximum still apply. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to your treatment. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I regrow my receding gums?
Receding gums cannot be regrown with home care, toothpaste or supplements. Once gum tissue has pulled back, it stays back unless it is treated. A gum graft or the Chao Pinhole technique can often cover the exposed root again, and good brushing habits help stop further recession.
When is it too late to fix receding gums?
It is rarely too late to stop receding gums from getting worse, but the chance of fully covering the root drops as recession advances. The biggest limit is bone loss between the teeth, which reduces how much gum can be supported over the root. Treating recession early keeps more options open.
Can a dentist fix my receding gums?
A dentist can diagnose receding gums, find the cause and treat many of the reasons behind it, such as gum disease and brushing damage. Covering exposed roots takes a gum graft or a procedure such as the Chao Pinhole technique, and both are offered at Redondo Beach Dental Group. Your measurements decide which one, if either, is needed.
What will a periodontist do for receding gums?
A periodontist, a dentist with specialty training in the gums, typically measures the recession, treats any gum disease and then decides whether a gum graft or another root coverage procedure is needed. Deep cleanings, gum grafting and the Chao Pinhole technique are offered here. Ask us whether your case would benefit from a specialist’s opinion.
What is stage 4 receding gums?
The phrase “stage 4 receding gums” usually matches Miller Class IV, the most severe grade in a long-used classification of gum recession, where bone and gum between the teeth are lost as well. Newer systems grade recession in a similar way, by how far it extends and whether that in-between tissue is gone. At that level, full root coverage is less likely, and treatment focuses on stopping further loss and protecting the tooth.
What’s the worst thing for receding gums?
Brushing hard with a stiff toothbrush and leaving gum disease untreated are two of the most damaging habits for receding gums. Smoking also makes recession worse and slows healing after treatment. Switching to a soft brush, cleaning between the teeth daily and getting gum disease treated all help.
Does insurance cover receding gums treatment?
Insurance often covers part of receding gums treatment when it is needed for gum health, such as a deep cleaning or a graft to protect an exposed root. Treatment done mainly for appearance is less likely to be covered, and your deductible and annual maximum still apply. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies.
Book a Gum Evaluation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online, and mention any sensitivity or teeth that look longer so we can measure your gums at the visit.