Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth. If left untreated the periodontal pockets continue to deepen, giving way to more infection, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss and other complications.

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When periodontal disease has destroyed the bone supporting your teeth this damage can be reversed by regenerating lost bone and tissue. Naturally it is first essential to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes, bone grafts or tissue- stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

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Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession. There are many causes of gum recession including periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, anatomic susceptibility, and tooth position. If recession progresses without treatment, it can lead to esthetic compromises, tooth sensitivity, tooth decay on roots, or even tooth loss. Recession does not always need to be treated. Therefore, it is important that an examination be completed to identify the potential risks for future progression. Soft tissue grafting is the most common treatment for recession. During this procedure, Dr. Anshu will move healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth (palate), and restore the tissue in the area of recession.

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For more information about gum grafting, click on the link below to view a video from the American Dental Association. ADA Video on Gum Grafting