When Gums Recede Post-Veneers: Does Gum Recession Call For Veneer Replacement?
Over the years, even in healthy patients who practice good oral hygiene, it is normal for some gum recession to occur. Gum recession can be the result of trauma, gum disease or even simple aging. However, if you had veneers placed on your teeth several years ago and your gums are now receding, the darker root surface of your teeth may now be quite visible.
Fortunately, there are several ways that your cosmetic dentist can approach this problem. Replacement is not always necessary. It depends on your current situation.
Gum Grafting is an Option
It is possible for a periodontist to perform a gum graft in the area where your gums have receded so that you can continue to wear your current veneers. However, because the area between the veneers and your gums is so small, you will need to call on the services of a highly skilled periodontist.
Composite Bonding Can be Used to Hide the Recession
If your veneers are still in good condition, then a simple method of dealing with your gum recession would be to cover the area with composite resin. This tooth-coloured filling material can be matched to the colour of your veneers so that once placed, the two blend together. This would essentially camouflage your gum recession.
However, composite resin stains whereas veneers don't, so this could become an issue in the near future. If your veneers are already 8-10 years old; however, replacing them might be a better option.
It May Be Time to Replace Your Veneers
In the last 10 or 15 years, cosmetic dentistry has come a long way. What passed for well-made veneers a decade ago won't be as good as today's current standards. Nowadays, veneers tend to be less bulky and can be modified in more ways. For instance, if you opt for new veneers, your dentist can have their ceramist create veneers that match the colour of the underlying tooth at the gum line.
This way, even if your gum recession worsens in future, the edge of your veneers will blend in with the area making the recession less noticeable. The ceramist can also make the veneers more translucent at the margins to ensure that any future recession is much less obvious.
If you have noticed gum recession at the margins of your veneers, you should first consult with your dentist before seeking further cosmetic treatment. Your dentist needs to first determine the cause of the recession. If gum disease is the cause, then you should treat that before dealing with your veneers.
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