Your smile is your calling card, but what if your teeth are starting to look longer and every bite of ice cream causes piercing pain? This is how gum recession manifests itself, which is the receding of the tissues that protect the roots of your teeth. It's a problem that, over time, can even lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, dentistry offers an effective solution - surgical coverage of exposed tooth necks.
For whom is surgical coverage of exposed dental necks necessary?
Gum recession is a problem that many patients initially underestimate. It involves the gradual retraction of the gum that normally envelops and protects the tooth. As a result, the sensitive part of the root is exposed. Over time, hypersensitivity to cold, heat or acidic foods begins to appear, as well as a greater susceptibility to decay. Aesthetics also suffer - the teeth appear longer and the smile less attractive.
The most dangerous consequence of untreated recession is the loss of stability of the teeth and, in extreme cases, even their falling out. This is a slow but irreversible process if you do not react in time. Therefore, it is best to react as soon as possible. What if the receding gums are already significant and causing real health problems? Then surgical coverage of the exposed tooth necks is a must.
And you can read more about gum recession in our article with a similar title “Gum recession, or exposed tooth necks - causes, symptoms and treatment".
What exactly does the treatment involve?
Surgical coverage of exposed tooth necks is a periodontal surgery procedure. Most commonly, a so-called soft tissue graft is used, which is taken from elsewhere in the oral cavity, usually the palate.
This can be compared to strengthening the foundation of a building, healthy tissue is transferred where protection is lacking. As a result, the tooth neck is shielded and the gingiva regains its natural line.
The procedure itself is carried out under anaesthesia, making it completely painless. The surgeon gently prepares the recession site, then implants the extracted tissue fragment and stabilises it with sutures. The entire procedure takes approximately 60-90 minutes. After the procedure, the patient is given detailed recommendations on hygiene and diet, and healing usually takes several weeks.
The result? Neck protection, reducing hypersensitivity, improving aesthetics and above all - stopping the disease process.
Surgical coverage of exposed dental necks - is there another option?
Yes, it is to prevent gum recession. Although modern dentistry offers effective treatments, prevention is always better than cure.
Key principles of prevention include:
- gentle tooth brushing with a soft toothbrush,
- avoiding excessive force during washing,
- using the correct cleaning technique,
- regular tartar removal,
- regular check-ups with the dentist.
Patients often do not realise that they do the most damage... with their own toothbrush. Scrubbing too hard horizontally acts like sandpaper - slowly but effectively exposing the necks.
What else to look out for? The answer can be found in our article “(Not) proper oral hygiene - the 10 biggest mistakes".
And most importantly - if you see the first worrying symptoms - do not delay and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Why is it not worth putting off treatment?
Gum recession will not stop on its own. Over time, the problem worsens and leads to increasingly serious consequences - from pain and sensitivity to tooth loss. This is why it is so important to act quickly and use modern methods to not only stop the process, but also to restore aesthetics and comfort.
The sooner you react, the better the chance, That surgery can be avoided. Unfortunately, when the recession is deep, surgical coverage of the exposed tooth necks remains the only effective solution.