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Question:
Horizontal Boneloss: I am 45 (female) with periodontal disease.
I had gum surgery 2 years ago and basically my gums are good except the bottom 4 teeth in the front. The gum recession is so bad that triangular gaps are formed between teeth. I feel minor soreness and one of those teeth is even wiggling a little when I bite.
I saw a periodontist and asked him if I should do the GTR - Guided Tissue Regeneration procedure. Surprisingly he said I do not have to do anything. He said he cannot do the GTR for me because the bone loss with those 4 teeth is "horizontal" so he cannot do the bone graft.
He suggested me to do gum grafting instead. Is it true that GTR is not possible if the bone loss is horizontal? ... Visitor from NY
Answer:
When someone gets recession on the lower front teeth, then the spaces between the teeth become exposed, which is what you are seeing.
Most of the time, as the gum receeds, the bone underneath recedes also. This occurs in a horizontal pattern, like the periodontist is telling you. If the bone shape is flat, then it is not possible to add bone to replace the lost bone.
Sometimes, hoeever, gum grafting can be done to fill or partially fill the spaces. This type of soft tissue grafting will not add support, but can improve esthetics.
As far as mobility on one or more of these teeth, this commonly occurs in the lower front because these teeth have only one short root and are not very strong.
Your bite should be checked to make sure you are not biting too hard on these teeth. If the looseness persists then it should be monitored, or in severe cases, the teeth will be connected together to stabilize them.
Christopher McFarland, DMD
Atlanta Prosthodontist - Periodontist
2530 Lawrenceville Highway
Decatur - Duluth - Atlanta, GA
(770) 492-0256
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