Gum Diseases

Gum receding

09/18/2008 04:19PM

Question:

My dentist said I have receding around a tooth that is causing it to be sensitve. I was given a paste to use (it`s been a month) and doesn`t seem to help. Do you have anything else I might try??

Answer:

Treatment alternatives for tooth sensitivity due to gum recession:

1- We always start with simpler procedure; Prescribing toothpaste with high fluoride concentrations, or fluoride rinses, gels.

2- Soft tissue graft procedure to cover exposed root surface generally works well in solving sensitivity problem, preventing further recession with better esthetic outcome.

3- Varnishing the exposed root surface with special dental materials.

4- If nothing works, and the sensitivity cannot be tolerated, we recommend endodontic treatment. This should be always last option.

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Response by:

Binnaz Leblebicioglu, DDS, MS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Section of Periodontology
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University