New Hanover County · Since 1987
Gum Recession Treatment in Kure Beach, 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
gum treatment, explained
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 ›
What we see from Kure Beach
Kure Beach has the oldest resident profile in New Hanover County. A third of the town is 65 or older, and barely one in ten residents is under 18.
Recession and bone loss accumulate slowly, so by retirement the picture is often advanced without ever having been painful. Stabilizing it protects the teeth that will carry any future restorative work.
The dental needs here skew heavily toward restorative and prosthetic work rather than preventive care for children.
Fort Fisher and the aquarium bring the visitors; the year-round community is small, settled and largely retired.
Thirty-two minutes each way is the reason we plan Kure Beach treatment in as few appointments as the clinical work allows.
We see patients from across Kure Beach and the surrounding area, including the Kure Beach Pier, Fort Fisher, the NC Aquarium and the 28449 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.
We will tell you honestly whether this is worth doing now or whether it can be watched for a year, and we will say which of your existing work is likely to fail next.
We plan restorative treatment in as few visits as the work allows, because thirty-two minutes each way adds up fast.
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
How the treatment runs
- 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.
If getting to follow-up visits is difficult, tell us. We can often combine checks into fewer, longer appointments.
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.
If you are on Medicare, note that it does not cover routine dental treatment. Many supplement plans include a limited dental benefit with an annual cap, and we will check yours before quoting anything.
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
Why are my teeth so sensitive?
Exposed root has no enamel over it, and the dentine underneath transmits cold directly. Treating recession and using a desensitizing paste both help.
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.
How far is your office from Kure Beach?
About 18 miles, or roughly 32 minutes via US-421 North the length of Pleasure Island. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Kure Beach?
Regularly. Kure Beach is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and we plan restorative treatment in as few visits as the work allows, because thirty-two minutes each way adds up fast.
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 · Kure Beach, 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.
