Healthy gums hug the tooth like a perfectly-fitting turtleneck sweater. When poor oral hygiene, trauma, or disease causes plaque to accumulate around and beneath the gum line, bacteria start to destroy the soft tissues that support the teeth. The gums pull away from the tooth and form “pockets” that become breeding grounds for more bacteria.
The normal aging process and too-aggressive brushing can also lead to receding gums. You may notice that your teeth look longer when the gums recede and expose the tooth roots. This can make you look older and ruin an otherwise healthy smile. You may also experience sensitivity to pressure and hot and cold.
There are many treatments for receding gums. If gum disease is the cause, your dentist may recommend deep cleaning (root scaling and planing), antibiotics, and pocket reduction surgery. This involves lifting back the gums, removing bacteria, and placing the gums snugly around the tooth. Gum contouring is a similar procedure that reshapes and repositions the gums to cover the exposed roots and prevent sensitivity.
Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation
Santa Cruz dentist Dr. Matiasevich offers a breakthrough gum reshaping treatment called Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation. Unlike conventional gum reshaping, this method requires no cutting, no sutures, and minimal downtime. Dr. Matiasevich can treat multiple teeth in one visit, quickly and painlessly.
During the procedure, the oral surgeon uses a thin needle to make a tiny pinhole in the gums. Special instruments are then used to loosen the tissue and reposition it over the exposed tooth. There are no incisions or sutures, so there is also minimal bleeding and swelling.
Dr. Matiasevich is one of the few doctors in the world trained and certified to provide this procedure. If you want a pain-free, minimally-invasive treatment for receding gums, schedule an appointment with Dr. Matiasevich today.
