Orthodontics (teeth braces) and Cosmetic Dental Bonding using pink (gum-colored) composite resin to hide severe gingival (gum) recession. This patient suffers from dental anxiety. Images 1 & 2) The patient’s chief complaint was the crooked upper front teeth and the severe gum recession around his upper left teeth. Images #3 & 4) The gum recession is the result of prior gum surgery that completely disregarded aesthetics.

The patient consulted with our Periodontist and Orthodontist. He underwent conservative, non-surgical gum therapy. The Periodontist suggested limiting movement of the lateral incisor #10 because it had a poor crown to root ratio; therefore the central incisor #9 was retracted more than #10 was protruded. This would also aid in reducing the anterior open bite. The patient was then cleared for limited orthodontics, teeth braces, for the upper jaw only – per patient request.

Image #4) The Orthodontist bonded the upper arch #4 – #13 (2nd premolar to 2nd premolar). Note the cosmetic braces that use tooth-colored brackets and white wire. At patient request the orthodontic treatment plan focused on eight months of braces to align the upper arch only and not to close the open bite. After eight months the braces were removed and a bonded upper lingual retainer was placed.

Image #5 & 6) Cosmetic dentistry options for improving the appearance of the severe gum recession around the upper left teeth focused on either pink bonding at the gum line or porcelain veneers with pink gingiva (gums) at the gum line. The patient chose the pink bonding to reduce cost. This procedure did not require any shots and was completed in less than one hour.

Cervical teeth bonding material – white tooth fillings – were added to treat gum line erosion from toothbrush abrasion. Abfraction is used to describe a similar looking pattern of tooth structure loss that is related to bite problems.

Cervical – gum line – teeth bonding used to treat tooth abrasion. Teeth abrasion is commonly associated with overly aggressive use of a toothbrush. It can also be related to bite problems and is then called abfraction.

Porcelain crowns & dental bonding, white teeth fillings at the gumline.

Picture series showing teeth bonding at the gum line to treat damage from overly aggressive use of a toothbrush. Dental bonding is a type of white tooth filling material that can be use to treat this type of erosion.