Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Gum Defects

Gingival Recession

Gingival recession, or gum recession, is an apical movement of a tooth’s gingival margin from its normal physiological position. A healthy gingival margin is  1-2 mm coronal to the cementum-enamel junction (CEJ).  When your gums recede, it results in pathological exposure of the root surface. This exposure leaves you vulnerable to tooth sensitivity, pain, infection, and even tooth loss. 

Mucogingival Defect

Mucogingival defect occurs when gingival recession deteriorates to the point where the tooth’s attached keratinized tissue becomes missing. Subsequently, there is an open passage for bacteria to enter into the sulcus, all the way down to the tooth and bone.  In order to maintain gingival health and stability, it is important, clinically, to have at least 2 mm of attached keratinized tissue.  

By precisely measuring the gingival recession and gingival sulcus, clinical attachment loss can be determined. These measurements help us evaluate the extent and degree of attachment loss. Mucogingival defect is confirmed when a dental probe can penetrate beyond the mucogingival junction line.  Early detection of mucogingival defects is critical to prevent fast progression of an attachment loss and subsequent tooth loss.

Such soft tissue gum defects are one of the most common yet most underdiagnosed oral health pathologies.  If you have any questions regarding your gum health or the diagnosis, prognosis, etiology, and pathogenesis of soft tissue gum defects, please call or text Arden Dental Center at (630) 529-0303 to book your complimentary consultation with Dr. Wen Lu today! Arden Dental Center is located at 303 E. Army Trail Rd., Ste. 421, Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108, easily accessible to all of Chicagoland via 1-290 and I-355. 

Stay tuned for our next blog post:  “Etiology of Gingival Recession.”