Receding Gums: Which Dental Specialist Do You Need?

When you first notice your gums pulling back or your teeth looking a little longer, it’s normal to wonder who treats gum recession. Some people start with their general dentist. Others ask an orthodontist. And many end up searching online for answers. The truth is simple: different dental providers play different roles, and knowing where to start saves you time, stress, and unnecessary appointments.

Gum recession often develops slowly, so it’s easy to miss until the roots are exposed or sensitivity sets in. At that point, you need more than routine cleanings; you need the right specialist. Understanding when to see a general dentist, when orthodontics is involved, and when you need a periodontist for gum recession helps you get the right care without guessing.

This guide breaks everything down clearly so you know exactly who to see and when.

What a General Dentist Can (and Can’t) Do for Gum Recession

When it comes to gum recession, your general dentist is often the first person to notice something is changing. During routine cleanings, they look for early signs like tissue thinning, minor inflammation, or pockets starting to form. They can also treat early gum disease and help you improve home care. If buildup or inflammation is present, your dentist may recommend ongoing cleanings or periodontal maintenance.

A general dentist plays an important role in monitoring recession, explaining what they see, and referring you when the problem needs a specialist. What they can’t do is rebuild tissue that’s already been lost. They don’t perform grafts, advanced regenerative procedures, or surgical correction. Once recession becomes visible, sensitive, or progressive, the next step is a periodontist, the specialist trained to diagnose the cause and restore the gums.

Your dentist is the starting point. The periodontist is the solution.

When Orthodontists Are Involved in Gum Recession

People often think braces only straighten teeth, but they also play a role in understanding why recession happens. When dealing with gum recession, an orthodontist doesn’t treat the recession itself, but they can spot how tooth movement and bone structure affect the gums. Some patients develop gum recession from braces when teeth are pushed too far outside the bone or when their gums are naturally thin. Trauma from brushing or grinding can make it worse.

Orthodontists help identify these structural causes during treatment. They often collaborate with a periodontist, especially when gum grafting is needed before or after braces. Their role is to diagnose movement-related risks. The actual repair and protection of the gum tissue come from the periodontist.

What a Periodontist Does for Receding Gums (The True Specialist)

If you want to know what a periodontist does for receding gums, the answer is simple: they are the gum and bone specialists who diagnose the cause, stop the damage, and rebuild lost tissue. When you see a periodontist for gum recession, you get a deeper level of evaluation than you’ll find in a general dental office. They look at bone support, measure your tissue thickness, check for inflammation, and review anything that stresses the gums, including habits like grinding.

A periodontist also handles the treatments that repair recession. This includes gum grafting, which restores lost coverage and protects the tooth root. They also use advanced tools like L-PRF biologics and using conservative surgical techniques such as Minimally invasive tunnel techniques (VISTA/VSTA) for treatment of gingival recession . the importance of those techniques is faster healing reduce post op pain and swelling and improve thickness and stability of the graft.

These are procedures only a periodontist provides. They restore the foundation that keeps your teeth stable. When recession is visible, sensitive, or getting worse, this is the specialist who knows how to diagnose the cause and fix the damage.

Your Gum Recession Care Team: How Each Specialist Plays a Role

When you want to know who treats gum recession, it helps to see how each provider fits into the process. Your general dentist usually notices the first signs. They see changes in your gumline during cleanings and let you know when the recession is getting worse. But they don’t repair the tissue. That part falls to the gum recession specialist, the periodontist.

Orthodontists sometimes play a role too. They look at how your teeth move and how that movement affects the gumline. If the gums look weak or thin before braces, they often send you to a periodontist for a gum grafting evaluation.

A simple way to think about it:

• Your dentist spots the recession.
• Your periodontist treats the recession.
• Your orthodontist steps in only if tooth movement is part of the cause.

You also don’t have to wait for a referral. If the recession is visible or sensitive, you can go straight to a periodontist. It shortens the process and gets you to the right level of care faster. If you want to set up a visit or ask questions, contact us here.

Getting the Right Care for Receding Gums

Knowing who treats gum recession makes the whole process simpler. It keeps you from bouncing between appointments and gives you a clear place to start. A periodontist for gum recession provides the level of diagnosis and treatment that this problem needs. They understand the tissue, the bone, and the cause behind the recession. And they repair the area so it stays stable long term.

If your gums look uneven, sensitive, or the recession is getting worse, schedule a visit. We’re looking forward to helping you find the best solution for your needs.

FAQs

Do I need a referral to see a periodontist in Poway for gum recession?
No referral is needed to schedule an appointment with a periodontist in Poway. Many patients contact Poway Perio directly when they notice receding gums, sensitivity, or exposed roots.

Can braces or orthodontic treatment cause gum recession?
Yes. Patients in Poway who have had braces may experience gum recession if teeth were moved outside the supporting bone or if they naturally have thin gum tissue. In these cases, orthodontists often work with a local periodontist to protect or restore the gums.

Can my general dentist in Poway treat receding gums?
A general dentist in Poway can identify early gum recession and help manage inflammation, but they cannot rebuild lost gum tissue. When recession becomes visible or sensitive, a Poway periodontist is the specialist who treats the problem.

How do I know if I need gum grafting?
If you notice exposed tooth roots, increasing sensitivity, uneven gumlines, or worsening recession, a gum grafting evaluation is recommended. A periodontist in Poway will assess tissue thickness, bone support, and the cause of recession to determine if grafting is needed.

Will gum recession heal on its own?
No. Gum tissue does not grow back once it recedes. Without treatment, recession often progresses. Seeing a periodontist in Poway helps stop further damage and restore gum coverage when needed.

What causes gum recession in Poway patients?
Common causes include gum disease, aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, orthodontic movement, and naturally thin gum tissue. Many Poway patients experience a combination of these factors rather than a single cause.

Is gum grafting painful?
Modern gum grafting techniques focus on comfort and faster healing. Most Poway patients report mild soreness for a few days, which is typically manageable and improves quickly with proper care.

How long does gum grafting recovery take?
Initial healing usually takes about one to two weeks, with full tissue integration continuing over the following months. Many patients return to normal daily activities within a few days after treatment.