Gum Recession Treatment (Gum Grafting)
Have your teeth started to look longer than they used to? Do you experience sensitivity when drinking cold beverages or brushing your teeth? These may be signs of gum recession.
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue gradually pulls away from the tooth, exposing the root surface. Because tooth roots are not protected by enamel, they are more vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and wear.
At Hunters Point Dentistry, we carefully evaluate the cause of your gum recession before recommending treatment. For some patients, improving oral hygiene techniques and regular periodontal care may be sufficient. For others, a gum graft may be recommended to help protect the exposed root and improve long-term gum health.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession can develop for several reasons, including:
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Thin gum tissue
- Bite-related forces
- Tobacco use
- Genetics
- Orthodontic treatment in certain situations
Often, gum recession develops gradually over many years without causing noticeable symptoms.
Signs You May Have Gum Recession
Common signs include:
- Teeth that appear longer than before
- Tooth sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweets
- Visible tooth roots
- Notches near the gumline
- Gums pulling away from the teeth
- Increased plaque buildup near exposed roots
- Concerns about the appearance of your smile
If left untreated, recession may continue to progress and increase the risk of root decay, tooth wear, and additional gum loss.
How We Evaluate Gum Recession
Every patient is different, so we perform a comprehensive examination before recommending treatment.
Your evaluation may include:
- Periodontal measurements
- Assessment of gum tissue thickness
- Digital X-rays
- Intraoral photographs
- Bite evaluation
- Review of brushing habits and oral hygiene
- Examination for signs of teeth grinding or clenching
Understanding why recession developed helps us recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the recession.
Your personalized treatment plan may include:
- Improved oral hygiene techniques
- Professional periodontal maintenance
- Treatment of active gum disease
- Custom night guard if grinding is contributing to recession
- Monitoring stable areas of recession
- Gum grafting (soft tissue grafting)
A gum graft is a periodontal procedure that adds healthy gum tissue to areas where recession has occurred. The goal is to protect exposed tooth roots, improve gum stability, and reduce the risk of future recession.
Not every patient with gum recession requires surgery. We only recommend gum grafting when it is likely to provide meaningful long-term benefits.
Benefits of Gum Recession Treatment
Treating gum recession may help:
- Reduce tooth sensitivity
- Protect exposed tooth roots
- Lower the risk of root cavities
- Slow or prevent further gum recession
- Improve gum health
- Enhance the appearance of your smile
- Support the long-term stability of your teeth
Our goal is to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible while helping maintain healthy gums for years to come.
Recovery After Gum Grafting
Recovery depends on the extent of the procedure.
Most patients experience mild soreness and swelling for several days following treatment. We will provide detailed instructions regarding diet, oral hygiene, and activity to help ensure proper healing.
Follow-up visits are important so we can monitor healing and answer any questions during your recovery.
Why Choose Hunters Point Dentistry?
Healthy gums provide the foundation for a healthy smile.
At Hunters Point Dentistry, gum recession is evaluated as part of your overall oral health—not simply as an isolated problem. We look for the underlying causes of recession and recommend treatment that is appropriate for your specific situation.
Our practice offers:
- Comprehensive periodontal evaluations
- Conservative, evidence-based treatment recommendations
- Modern digital imaging and diagnostics
- Collaboration with our in-house periodontist
- Personalized treatment plans focused on long-term oral health
- Ongoing preventive care to help maintain your results
We believe successful treatment begins with understanding why gum recession occurred and developing a plan to help protect your smile for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum recession can result from gum disease, brushing too aggressively, teeth grinding, thin gum tissue, genetics, bite-related forces, or other factors. Often, more than one cause is involved.
No. Once gum tissue has receded, it does not naturally regenerate. Some patients benefit from monitoring, while others may be candidates for gum grafting.
No. Many patients can be managed with improved home care, periodontal maintenance, or simply monitoring the area. Gum grafting is recommended only when it is likely to improve long-term oral health.
The procedure is performed using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Mild soreness during recovery is common, and most patients are able to manage it with the instructions provided after treatment.
Most patients return to their normal routine within a few days, although complete healing of the gum tissue takes several weeks.
As the gum tissue heals, it typically blends well with the surrounding tissue. Your periodontist will discuss what you can expect based on your individual case.
Yes. Continued brushing too aggressively, untreated gum disease, smoking, or ongoing teeth grinding may contribute to future recession. Regular dental visits and good home care are important for maintaining long-term results.
Coverage varies depending on your dental insurance plan and the reason for treatment. Our team will review your benefits and discuss your estimated coverage before treatment begins.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’ve noticed receding gums, exposed tooth roots, or increasing tooth sensitivity, don’t wait for the problem to progress.
Schedule a consultation at Hunters Point Dentistry to determine the cause of your gum recession. We’ll discuss your treatment options and help you decide whether monitoring, preventive care, or gum grafting is the best solution for protecting your smile.