Gum Recession Treatment Options Compared

Gum recession doesn’t have one standard treatment — what’s appropriate depends on the cause, how much recession has occurred, and what’s driving it in your case. This compares the main non-surgical and surgical options, what each one addresses, and what’s worth considering before deciding between them.

Non-Surgical Options

Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning). Where gum disease is the underlying cause, this involves clearing built-up plaque and calculus from the tooth surface, including the areas beneath the gum line, and treating the root surface. Hence, bacteria are less likely to reattach. It addresses the bacterial cause of ongoing gum inflammation, which is a factor in further recession, though it doesn’t restore gum tissue that’s already been lost.

Desensitising treatments. Where sensitivity from an exposed root is the main concern rather than the appearance of the tooth, topical desensitising agents applied by your dentist, or specific toothpastes used at home, can reduce nerve sensitivity at the exposed root surface. This manages a symptom rather than addressing the recession itself.

Dental bonding. For minor recession, a tooth-coloured composite resin can be applied over the exposed root surface, covering it and reducing sensitivity and the visual appearance of a longer-looking tooth. This doesn’t restore gum tissue and is considered for smaller, more limited areas of recession rather than as a solution for larger cases.

Surgical Options

Free gingival graft. Tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth (the palate) and grafted directly onto the area of recession. This is used specifically to increase the width and thickness of the gum tissue around a tooth, which can help protect against further recession, rather than being primarily focused on covering the visible root surface.

Connective tissue graft. A small flap is created on the palate, tissue from beneath it is removed, and this tissue is grafted over the exposed root at the recession site rather than being visible on the surface itself. This is one of the more established surgical approaches for covering exposed root surfaces.

A study by Harris (2002), published in the Journal of Periodontology (DOI: 10.1902/jop.2002.73.9.1054), followed 100 patients with 146 Miller Class I or Class II recession defects — a specific classification covering less advanced recession without loss of tissue between teeth — treated with connective tissue grafts. Mean root coverage was 97.1% at 13 weeks and 98.4% at 27.5 months. This reflects outcomes for that specific patient group and technique; results vary depending on the individual case, recession severity, and surgical factors, and this isn’t a guarantee of a specific outcome for every patient.

Pinhole surgical technique. This approach repositions existing gum tissue over the recession site through a small entry point, without the flap-and-suture approach used in graft procedures. It’s a newer technique with a shorter research track record than connective tissue grafting, and the evidence comparing its outcomes to grafting directly is more limited. Whether it’s suitable is something to discuss directly with a periodontist familiar with the technique.

What These Options Have in Common — and Don’t

None of these options regenerates gum tissue that’s been lost in the sense of restoring it to its original state everywhere it once was. Non-surgical options manage the cause or the symptoms without adding tissue.

Surgical options can add tissue or reposition existing tissue to cover exposed root surface. Still, the outcome depends on the individual case, the amount of remaining healthy tissue, and how the site heals.

Risks and Limitations

As with any surgical procedure, gum grafting carries risks. These include infection, the graft not fully integrating with the surrounding tissue, and discomfort at the donor site on the palate during healing. Swelling in the days following surgery is part of the healing process itself.

Complete root coverage isn’t achieved in every case, and how much coverage is achieved varies between patients.

Ongoing oral hygiene and, where relevant, addressing the original cause of recession (such as gum disease or grinding) are part of what supports the result over time — surgical treatment on its own doesn’t prevent recession from progressing elsewhere if the underlying cause isn’t also addressed.

What Determines Which Option Suits You

• The cause — whether gum disease, brushing technique, grinding, or another factor is driving the recession
• The severity and location — how much recession has occurred, and whether it affects a single tooth or several
• Whether sensitivity or appearance is the main concern, versus a need to protect the tooth and surrounding structures from further recession
• Your overall health and healing capacity, which is relevant to surgical options specifically

An exam, including measuring the extent of recession and identifying the cause, is what determines which of these options is appropriate for your situation — this isn’t something to decide between without that assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a gum graft and dental bonding for receding gums?

A gum graft is a surgical procedure that adds or repositions tissue to cover the exposed root. Dental bonding places a composite material over the exposed root surface without adding gum tissue. Bonding is considered for smaller areas of recession, while grafting addresses more significant recession or cases where added gum tissue is the goal.

Is gum grafting the only permanent solution for receding gums?

Grafting is one of the few options that adds or repositions tissue over the recession site, but “permanent” isn’t the right way to think about any of these options — ongoing oral hygiene and addressing the original cause of recession both affect how the result holds up over time.

How do I know if I need surgery or if non-surgical treatment is enough?

This depends on the severity of the recession, the cause, and what you’re aiming to address — sensitivity, appearance, or protecting the tooth from further recession. An exam is what determines this for your specific case.

Does treating gum disease stop gum recession from getting worse?

Treating gum disease addresses one of the main causes of ongoing recession where it’s present. Still, it’s one of several possible factors — grinding, brushing technique, and genetics can also contribute independently. Your dentist can identify which factors apply to you.

Does private health insurance cover gum recession treatments?

This depends on your specific policy and the treatment involved. Checking with your health fund directly, alongside a treatment plan from your dentist, is the way to find out what applies to your situation.

Gum Recession Treatment in Gordon

If you’d like to know which treatment option applies to your situation, the next step is an exam to assess the cause and extent of the recession.

At Northern Dental Gordon, we see patients from Gordon, Pymble, Killara, St Ives, and Turramurra.

Call us on (02) 9498 8290 or book online. We’re at Suite 3, 2 St Johns Ave in Gordon.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, consider seeking a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.