Daryl E. Malena DDS
  Periodontics
10838 Old Mill Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
402 330 4100

Gingival recession, the exposure of the root area of the tooth, can be caused by periodontal disease, over-zealous brushing, a frenum or muscle pull from the lip or cheek, chemical trauma from chewing tobacco, or an innate lack of gingiva, the tough, pink gum tissue that should surround all of your teeth.  Without gingiva the cheek and lip tissue are attached to the teeth. This tissue is thin and very elastic and it offers much less resistance to the physical forces of chewing and tooth brushing. In these cases recession can occur very quickly.

Not all areas where gingival recession has occurred need to be repaired.  Some slight recession is fairly normal with age and the wear and tear from years of brushing.  If some of the tough, pink gingival tissue remains between the root of the tooth and the thin, elastic tissue of the lip or cheek, we often prefer to monitor the area (by carefully measuring the amount of root exposed) and only treat it if it continues.

On the other hand, areas that are sensitive or show in the smile, or teeth that are about to be prepared for crowns or are going to serve as bridge or partial denture abutments need to be treated.  Click here to find the pages that discuss this kind of reconstructive periodontal surgery.

Select from the topics at the left, or use the Search feature to find what you are looking for. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.