Talking Dentistry

This month we’re talking restorative dentistry with Dr Andrew See who combines passion, artistic flare and extensive knowledge of dentistry to answer any questions you may have. He has advanced training in aesthetic and implant dentistry.

Reader’s question:

“I have some receding gums and my teeth are sensitive. I’ve had fillings done to cover them but the gum receded more. I’m under 40yo, is this normal and is there anything else I can do?”

Dr See says: A big myth is that your gums will always recede as you get older and that you can’t avoid it. Let’s get down to the brass tacks. Primarily the main cause is repetitive aggressive toothbrushing. Also if you have a lot of bacterial deposits around the teeth from poor oral hygiene and lack of professional cleans this will cause bone loss and receding gums. However, I see a lot of younger patients that have fantastic oral hygiene that always comes in for routine professional cleans that have significant gum recession nonetheless. The literature tells us that there are other things at play. Higher levels of recession are associated when you have thin gum tissues to begin with as well as if the tooth is slightly pushed outside the bone either from malposition of the tooth or from post orthodontic movements combined with aggressive toothbrushing. Is there anything we can do about it? It has been largely ignored because we simply did not have a reliable way to treat it. Left untreated often leads to tooth sensitivity like you’re experiencing. Restorations can be placed over the tooth surface to insulate it. However, because extra bulky material is placed over the tooth it causes extra plaque retention.

Alternatively to overcome this, clinicians drill out space for the material but this requires us to remove sound tooth structure instead. Either way, the join of the restorative is never be perfect and bacteria will reside in the join, irritate the gums and potentially make the recession worse.

Fortunately, advanced minimally invasive approaches using specialised instruments and techniques can correct gum recession, results in predictable outcomes.

Let’s look at a case that we completed to treat gum recession because of sensitivity. Michael saw us and his gum recession, he had exceptional oral hygiene, but his gum recession was getting worse and more sensitive. This was picked up by our skilled oral hygiene department and we were able to intervene early enough to successfully rejuvenate the gum tissues. We used specalised instruments to analyse precisely his clinical situation to make a proper diagnosis to help us decide which treatment was appropriate for him.

THE PROBLEMS

• Patient under 40yo

• Tooth sensitivity

• Thin tissue

• Teeth pushed slightly outside the bone

THE SOLUTION:

• Soft tissue grafting using the patient’s own tissue to cover the exposed root surface and thicken the tissues

** Any surgical or invasive procedure caries risk. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner **

9816 4885 dr.andrewsee advanceddentistrysydney.com.au

DR ANDREW SEE BDS Hons (Syd), FRACDS, MSc(Lond), PGDipDentImplantology, FCGDENT(UK), FICOI, MFDS RCSEng

HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT?

Dr Andrew See has dedicated the last 20 years to Aesthetic Dentistry and has unique qualifications in cosmetic dentistry and rehabilitation.

This includes a three year Masters in Aesthetic Dentistry from the prestigious King’s College London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Implantology.

Dr See completed his Fellowship by primary and secondary examinations for The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS).

FRACDS is the mark of professional achievement in dentistry and demonstrates attainment of an advanced level and skill in Dentistry.

If you have any questions you have always wanted to know about aesthetic or implant dentistry write to us at: infoadvanceddentistry sydney.com.au