Very Bad Receding Gum Line, Best Option? (photo)

Question

I have a bad receding gum line! I have seen 3 different dentists about it and they all have different opinions about how to go about fixing this problem. Pull it and get a fake tooth. Lazer surgery to kill whats causing the gum to pull away (very expensive) and oral surgery. What is the best option? I am 33 and am not to keen on the fake teeth just yet.

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

Excellent photo! From the looks of your situation, you appear to have a frenum (muscle attachment) pulling down on the gum around your lower central incisor. Without seeing your X-rays, it appears that you would need a minor surgical procedure called a "frenectomy" to release the tug of that attachment. You might also need a gingival grafting procedure after to raise the height of the gumline to its original position. Your best bet is to discuss these options with a periodontist (gum specialist). While the frenectomy can also be done with a laser, I don't think the issue is "killing the bacteria", but more a mechanical issue of releasing the tug of the frenum.

Andy Shieh, DMD · Answer

It all depends on what you want?  If you don't care on the crookedness of the teeth, then I say do nothing since you can't really see the gum recession normally with your lower lip in its position, maintain the bone and gum tissue you have now is critical so you don't loose more support.  If you loose more bone and gum tissue in that area, you'll end up loose those two teeth. If you want to correct the crookedness of that area, then that's where the money and "false teeth" options will come in.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

You have taken a very good photo of the area. It appears from your photo that you have a very high frenum attachment and that is what is causing the damage. You may need a frenectomy. I would not recommend having the tooth extracted. I would get an opinion from a local periodontist in your area to get another opinion.

Charmen Douglas, DDS · Answer

Gum recession doesn&rsquo;t typically occur within minutes.  It is a process of destruction stemming from conditions associated with bite, oral habits, bone loss, gum disease or aggressive brushing.  Maintaining professional cleaning is important.

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