Tooth neck abrasions and gum recession can be caused by various factors: abnormal forces, excessive tooth brushing technique, plaque, tartar, abnormal tooth contact, whose effects can be exacerbated in cases of individual predisposition (thin gum structure, thin bone structure, crowded teeth). Gum recession occurring on the outer surface of the teeth generally does not equate to uniform loss of gums and bone around the teeth (commonly referred to as gum recession). Both conditions fall under the domain of periodontology within dentistry as a specialty, yet different types of cases require different treatment and prevention strategies. Although these types of abrasions and gum recessions (which occur only on the outer surface of the teeth) primarily do not endanger the tooth, they often cause uncomfortable pain or aesthetic problems for patients.
Plaque and tartar lead to gum inflammation and bleeding, and eventually, gum recession occurs over time. An excessively strong tooth brushing technique can also cause gum recession and tooth neck abrasions. Therefore, it is crucial to learn the correct tooth brushing technique (such as iTOP).
If force is not evenly distributed on the teeth and a tooth is overloaded, significant force concentrates at the tooth neck, which can also lead to damage to the tooth structure. This force can occur due to teeth grinding, clenching, and abnormal tooth contact.
Forces acting on the teeth are transmitted to the bone, leading to bone resorption and subsequently, gum recession.
Prior to surgery and 10 years after gingival plastic surgery performed at our clinic
Treatment Options:
For tooth sensitivity, using desensitizing toothpaste or applying protective varnish (“gum paint”) to the tooth neck at the dental office often resolves the issue in many cases. If this does not yield results, the tooth necks need to be filled. If gum recession is aesthetically disturbing to the patient, in addition to filling, surgical intervention to cover the tooth necks (gingival grafting) is possible. In extremely rare cases, if someone still experiences severe tooth neck sensitivity after this, root canal treatment may be necessary.
To prevent teeth grinding and prevent teeth overload, using a nightguard is recommended. Tooth neck abrasion often does not involve tooth decay, so in less advanced cases, cavity treatment itself is not necessary. However, if the cavity is larger, tooth necks need to be filled for tooth sensitivity and pulp protection.
Part of the therapy is maintaining satisfactory oral hygiene. Alongside regular dental scaling at the dentist’s office, maintaining regular and correct tooth brushing technique and interdental cleaning is essential, otherwise tartar will form again, or improper tooth brushing technique may further damage the tooth necks and gums. Dental hygienists assist in mastering the correct tooth brushing technique. In our clinic, we recommend and teach the iTOP technique to our patients.
In cases of individual tooth overload, alongside using a nightguard, controlling and, if necessary, adjusting the correct bite with minimal tooth grinding or buildup is possible. In more complex cases, orthodontic treatment or providing teeth with inlays/crowns may become necessary, but this can already be determined in the initial phase of treatment with appropriate dental diagnosis and evaluation of dental models.
Tooth neck abrasions are easy to diagnose, and it is best to recognize them at the earliest stage possible. This is screened during annual dental check-ups, which is why it is very important to attend dental examinations every year.
For any questions or concerns, please contact our colleagues at +36 1 200 1378 or email us at info@cosmodent.hu!
