New Hanover County · Since 1987
Gum Recession Treatment in Castle Hayne, NC
Receding gums expose root surface, which is softer than enamel, sensitive to cold, and prone to decay. Recession does not reverse on its own.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
Understanding gum treatment
Causes vary: gum disease, aggressive brushing, grinding, thin tissue you were born with, or a tooth sitting outside the bone. Treatment depends on which one it is, so identifying the cause comes first.
Full detail on gum treatment ›
Patients from Castle Hayne
Castle Hayne runs on shift work, the nuclear campus, the airport and the rail corridor, and employer dental benefits go unused every year.
Tobacco use remains the strongest modifiable risk factor for gum disease, and we approach that as a clinical fact rather than a lecture.
ILM airport sits just south of Castle Hayne, and the NC-133 run to N. 23rd Street avoids the worst of the city traffic.
GE Vernova Hitachi is the anchor employer, and shift patterns there shape how we schedule Castle Hayne appointments.
River Bluffs has added a different resident profile to what was a rural community a decade ago.
We see patients from across Castle Hayne and the surrounding area, including GE Vernova Hitachi, ILM airport, River Bluffs and the 28429 ZIP code.
New Hanover County is the built-out core of the region, growing around one percent a year, with roughly 21 percent of residents over 65 and the highest concentration of employer dental coverage in southeastern North Carolina.
Employer plans usually cover a meaningful share of this, and the balance resets in January whether you used it or not.
Early morning appointments starting at 8:00 so a cleaning does not cost you a shift.
You may be a candidate if
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- Sharp sensitivity to cold air or cold drinks
- A notch you can feel at the gum line with your fingernail
- Gums that bleed or look red at the margin
- Root surfaces visible when you smile
From first visit to finished result
- Periodontal chartingSix-point measurements and recession measurements per tooth. This is the baseline.
- Cause identificationBrushing technique, grinding, occlusion and gum disease each leave a different pattern.
- Treat the active diseaseScaling and root planing if there is periodontal infection.
- Grafting where indicatedSoft tissue grafting to cover exposed root and thicken the tissue.
- MaintenanceA shorter recall interval to keep it stable.
Afterwards
Switch to a soft brush and stop scrubbing. If you grind, wear the guard. After grafting, no brushing on the site for the period we specify, a prescribed rinse, and soft food while it heals.
Follow-up appointments are brief and we open at 8:00, so they rarely cost more than the start of a shift.
What it costs
Scaling and root planing is usually covered by dental plans at a percentage per quadrant. Grafting is priced per site. We stage the work when it makes sense so it is manageable rather than a single large bill.
Employer dental benefits reset annually and unused balance does not carry over. If you have not used yours this year, it is worth checking what is left before December.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger
Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.
Questions we get asked
Can I just live with it?
If it is stable and not sensitive, sometimes. The risk is root decay, which is harder to restore than a cavity in enamel.
Does brushing harder help my gums?
It does the opposite. Aggressive brushing with a hard brush is one of the most common causes we see.
How far is your office from Castle Hayne?
About 11 miles, or roughly 20 minutes via NC-133 South (Castle Hayne Road) to N. 23rd Street. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Castle Hayne?
Regularly. Castle Hayne is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and early morning appointments starting at 8:00 so a cleaning does not cost you a shift.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Gum Recession Treatment · Castle Hayne, NC
Honest dentistry, since 1987.
We will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what we would leave alone.
- Over 50,000 patients treated since 1987
- Comprehensive new patient exam including oral cancer screening
- Three doctors and a long-tenured team
- Most major dental plans accepted
Been told you need a lot of work somewhere else? Second opinions are welcome and we give them straight.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
