Brunswick County · Since 1987
Gum Recession Treatment in Leland, 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
A closer look at 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 Leland
Leland is the fastest-growing town in the fastest-growing county in North Carolina, and roughly a third of residents are 65 or older.
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.
Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens and Waterford between them account for a large share of the town's households, and most of them are new construction.
The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is the whole conversation for Leland patients, and we are the first practice on the Wilmington side of it.
Half of Leland arrived in the last decade, which means a lot of our new patients here are transferring records from another state rather than another practice.
We see patients from across Leland and the surrounding area, including Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens and the 28451 and 28479 ZIP codes.
Brunswick County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the sixth fastest in the country, up about a quarter since 2020, and 35 percent of residents are 65 or older. That combination, rapid in-migration and an older population, is why so much of our Brunswick caseload is restorative.
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 are the first dental practice across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, which makes us closer to most of Leland than anything on the Brunswick side of the river.
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
The sequence of appointments
- 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
Will my gums grow back?
Not on their own. Recession is only reversed by grafting. Stopping the cause prevents further loss, which is the first priority.
Is a gum graft painful?
There is discomfort for several days, mostly at the donor site if tissue is taken from your palate. Modern techniques often use donor material instead, which is more comfortable.
How far is your office from Leland?
About 9 miles, or roughly 18 minutes via US-74/76 East over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Leland?
Regularly. Leland is part of our core service area in Brunswick County, and we are the first dental practice across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, which makes us closer to most of Leland than anything on the Brunswick side of the river.
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 · Leland, 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.
