Yaksu-dong Dental Clinic: Treating Receding Gums Without Tooth Reduction

Hello.

I am Dr. Kim Tae-young, the head director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic in Yaksu-dong, where I explain cases I have personally treated.

The periodontal tissue surrounding the teeth in the oral cavity, as shown in the image, consists of the alveolar bone (bone) and the gums covering its exterior.

When the gums become inflamed due to periodontal disease or naturally recede with aging, the gums between the teeth sink, exposing the gaps.

Among the patients who visit our clinic, especially middle-aged and older individuals, many come to consult about ways to fill these empty spaces caused by receding gums, as food gets stuck or they are aesthetically dissatisfied with the gaps.

Treatment methods can be broadly divided into two categories:

• Simple methods like resin bonding
• Reshaping of tooth structure using prosthetics like crowns or veneers

Today, I will explain a case where receding gums were aesthetically restored through treatment.

My gums bleed when I wake up.

The patient visited us complaining of swollen and frequently bleeding gums in the area of the two front teeth.

Their teeth were misaligned and too close together, creating a periodontal structure inherently prone to periodontal disease.

This is an X-ray of the affected area.

The tooth had previously undergone root canal treatment, and periodontal disease was present, along with observed mobility.

Poor tooth alignment causes changes in the shape of the gums around the teeth and leads to inflammation.

The severely mobile teeth appeared to require extraction, and an evaluation of the surrounding teeth and gums after implant placement was necessary.

Implant Placement

We proceeded with implant surgery simultaneously with extraction.

We checked the insertion direction without any particular difficulty, and for the bone deficient due to periodontal disease, we restored the missing volume through bone grafting, specifically alveolar bone grafting.

When performing front tooth surgery, if the initial stability of the implant is good, the tooth is usually completed on the same day.

However,

because the patient's surrounding gums were not in good condition and the fixation was weak, we opted for a treatment method where the patient would wear and remove a temporary denture, despite the aesthetic inconvenience.

Relationship with Surrounding Teeth During Implant Prosthetics

This photo shows the implant stabilized and a temporary tooth placed.

Compared to the initial visit, the previously mobile tooth was misaligned and the surrounding gums were swollen. After implant prosthetics, the teeth became aligned and the gums subsided.

As we tried to create the exact same tooth shape as the symmetrical adjacent tooth, the gap between the gums appeared larger.

In such cases, if the symmetrical teeth are also treated with prosthetics during implant prosthetics, it helps in shaping the teeth and filling the empty gum space with the prosthetic.

However, the patient did not want additional gum surgery or treatment for other teeth, only wishing to treat the two problematic teeth.

Making only one side of the prosthetic thicker to fill the empty space could look even stranger.

After considering methods to fill the empty space without touching other gums or teeth, we decided to try treatment using resin.

Using resin, we first built up the symmetrical tooth towards the empty space to create a fuller contour, then adjusted the implant prosthetic.

In this case, since the existing tooth was relatively thin, the empty space could be filled using resin.

The implant prosthetic was also symmetrically adjusted, filling much of the empty space.

Although some empty space remains, it is expected that the gums will naturally fill in over time.

Concluding the Treatment

When smiling, it can be seen that the empty space is almost invisible and looks natural.

We also tried to create the prosthetic's shape naturally to resemble the worn and partially chipped parts of the existing teeth.

During treatment, it is not always possible to establish an ideal treatment plan.

The treatment direction can be determined by various oral conditions and the patient's requests.

In this case, simple resin bonding brought about noticeable changes and satisfaction.

Today,

I introduced one of the treatment methods for filling receding gums.

I hope your questions have been answered, and if you have similar concerns,

I recommend visiting us for a detailed examination.

Thank you.^^

Treatment Start: 2024.08.06

Treatment End: 2024.10.31

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We believe that proper treatment leads to proper results. My goal is to create a trustworthy dental clinic where everyone who visits with worries can leave feeling relieved. – Bareunyoung Dental Clinic

Directions: 2nd floor, JYJ Building, 179 Dongho-ro. Right in front of Exit 6 of Yaksu Station, towards Yaksu Market. Use Village Bus 5 (Yaksu Station), Village Bus 12 (Namsan Town, Yaksu Police Station), or bus stops (Yaksu Heights, Sindang Social Welfare Center, Gaon Library, Kumho Tunnel Entrance). From Yuyu Pharmaceutical towards Kumho Station.

This post was written directly by Bareunyoung Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information and hospital advertising (in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act). The photos are of the same patient, and treatment methods and other side effects (pain, inflammation, prosthetic detachment) may vary for each patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do gums recede?

Gums can recede due to inflammation from periodontal disease or as a natural phenomenon of aging. This can expose the spaces between teeth, leading to food impaction or aesthetic concerns.

How are spaces caused by receding gums treated?

There are various treatment methods. Simple methods using resin or reshaping the tooth structure with prosthetics like crowns and veneers can fill the spaces. The appropriate method is chosen based on the patient's condition.

Can gum spaces be filled without tooth reduction?

Yes, it is possible. In this case, according to the patient's request, the gum space was naturally filled using resin in conjunction with implant prosthetics, without touching the existing teeth.

Can severely mobile teeth also be treated?

Severely mobile teeth may require extraction. After extraction, implant placement can be considered, and bone grafting, such as alveolar bone grafting, can restore deficient bone volume for stable treatment.

Can receding gum spaces after implant placement be filled with resin?

Yes, it is possible. During implant prosthetics, considering the relationship with surrounding teeth, resin can be used to create a fuller contour for the symmetrical teeth, and the implant prosthetic can be adjusted to fill the empty space.

Can natural results be expected after gum space treatment?

Yes, absolutely. In this case, after treatment, the empty space was almost invisible when smiling, and a natural appearance was achieved. The shape of the prosthetic is also designed to harmonize with the surrounding teeth.