Overview
Receding gums treatment focuses on stopping further gum loss, protecting exposed roots, reducing sensitivity and, where needed, rebuilding gum coverage. The right pathway depends on the cause (brushing, bite/teeth position, gum disease, thin biotype or trauma), how quickly things are changing, and your goals for comfort and aesthetics.
- Short-term: calm inflammation, reduce sensitivity, protect roots.
- Medium-term: stabilise gums with cleaning, technique changes and bite protection.
- Long-term: consider grafting or orthodontics for selected cases to improve coverage and thickness.
Main treatment options
Non-surgical (often first line)
- Sensitivity control: in‑surgery desensitising varnish and high‑fluoride toothpaste; can be repeated.
- Professional gum care: scale and clean and, if needed, deeper periodontal cleaning to remove plaque/tartar and reduce inflammation.
- Bonding/composite: tooth‑coloured material to cover exposed root dentine and reduce sensitivity or uneven appearance.
- Technique changes: soft brush, light pressure, small circles or electric brush; non‑abrasive toothpaste.
- Bite protection: custom night guard or bite adjustment if clenching/grinding or traumatic bite is contributing.
Surgical (selected cases)
- Connective tissue or free gingival grafts: adds thickness and may partially cover roots, improving stability and comfort.
- Tunnelling/pinhole procedures: minimally invasive alternatives in suitable anatomies.
- Adjunctive orthodontics: moving teeth to a more stable position can reduce traumatic forces and recession risk.
Which path is best depends on gum thickness, recession depth/width, tooth position, presence of gum disease and your preference for conservative versus definitive correction.
Typical costs in Australia
Private fees vary by city, clinic, complexity and the number of teeth/sites. These indicative ranges help with ballpark planning:
- Professional periodontal cleaning: $180–$350 per quadrant
- Desensitising varnish: $30–$90 per tooth
- Bonding/composite to cover roots: $200–$450 per tooth
- Custom night guard (occlusal splint): $300–$700
- Soft‑tissue graft (per site): $900–$2,500
- Pinhole/tunnelling techniques (per area): $1,200–$3,000
- Limited orthodontics (adjunctive): $3,000–$7,000
Health fund extras may contribute to periodontal and restorative codes; surgical grafting is typically a larger out‑of‑pocket item. Many clinics can stage care to spread costs.
What to expect at your appointment
- Assessment: gum measurements, photos, recession map, bite assessment and radiographs if indicated.
- Immediate relief: sensitivity control and cleaning of inflamed areas.
- Personalised plan: home‑care guidance, non‑surgical steps, and whether surgical or orthodontic input may help.
- Costs & timing: which items can be done now, what can be staged, and expected review intervals.
- Review: typically 4–12 weeks to confirm stability before considering grafting or further steps.
When to seek urgent help
- Rapid change in gum level or sudden root exposure
- Tooth becomes mobile, painful or bites feel “high”
- Pus, bad taste or swelling around the tooth
- Severe sensitivity that prevents normal eating/drinking
If any of these are present, prioritise an earlier visit. For broader gum concerns, see Gum Disease and Bleeding Gums.
Who treats receding gums?
- General dentists manage diagnosis, cleaning, sensitivity, bonding and guards.
- Periodontists are gum specialists for surgical grafting and complex disease.
- Orthodontists help if tooth position or bite forces are contributing.
Many cases start with a general dentist and are co‑managed with a periodontist if grafting is considered.
Prevention and home care
- Use a soft brush with light pressure; consider an electric brush with pressure sensor.
- Use non‑abrasive toothpaste; avoid aggressive scrubbing or whitening pastes on exposed roots.
- Floss or use interdental brushes daily; follow professional technique advice.
- Wear a night guard if clenching/grinding; reduce acidic snacks and drinks.
- Keep regular periodontal reviews to track stability.
Confidential help
If you need help comparing receding gums treatment options, estimating costs, or finding a clinic that suits your situation, you can send a confidential enquiry below.
This site is not a dental clinic. It is an information and referral platform designed to connect people with relevant dental help.