Braces can cause gum recession with improper care and pressure on the gums.
You have decided to enhance your beautiful smile. You are geared up for the straight and symmetrical teeth that you have always dreamed of having. Nevertheless, one day when you look in the mirror, you notice that the gum line of one of the teeth on the lower jaw seems to be slightly lower than the others. It is a common worry among orthodontic patients, and the question that is frequently asked at Lema Dental Clinic is very simple: Have my braces done this?
The brief reply is: On their own, braces don’t “cause “gum recession; however, they can set the stage for it.
The Foundation of Your Smile
Think of your teeth like a high-end coastal villa. The braces are the renovation crew moving the structure to a better location. However, the “land” the house sits on—your jawbone and gum tissue—must be thick and stable enough to support that move. If the ground is too thin or the crew moves the house too fast, the soil starts to erode.
In our clinical experience at Lema Dental Clinic in Turkey, we see that gum recession is rarely about the brackets themselves. Instead, it’s about how the biological environment responds to the pressure of tooth movement.
Why Recession Happens During Orthodontics?
Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız not only focuses on the alignment when he evaluates a patient for a smile makeover. He investigates the “biotype”—which means the thickness of your gum tissue. Some people naturally have “thin” gums, which can be more easily injured by the gum pulling back.
Here is what we notice at the clinic when gum recession happens during the treatment:
- Use of too much force: Rapidly moving the teeth or forcing them outside the “envelope” of the bone that supports the teeth.
- The Plaque Trap: Braces gather food like magnets. If one neglects oral hygiene, inflammation (gingivitis) due to the tissue can lead the tissue to recede.
- Existing Bone Loss: If there was a bone thinning issue underneath before getting braces, the treatment can make it more apparent.
- Frenal Pull: Occasionally, a muscle attachment (the frenum) pulls on the gum line, and the braces’ tension makes the situation worse.
Risk Factors: Who Should Be Careful?
The reality is that not everyone is at equal risk. Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team emphasize that a “pre-flight” check of your periodontal health is the most important step before any wires are tightened.
| Risk Factor | Impact on Treatment | Management Strategy |
| Thin Biotype | High risk of tissue “melting” away. | Gentle, slow tooth movement. |
| Poor Oral Hygiene | Inflammation leads to bone loss. | Professional cleaning every 3 months. |
| Heavy Smoking | Reduced blood flow to the gums. | Cessation or significant reduction. |
| Aggressive Brushing | Mechanical wear on delicate tissue. | Switching to an ultra-soft electric brush. |
How We Prevent Gum Recession at Lema Dental Clinic
At our Istanbul facility, we are committed not only to teeth straightening but to working with biological systems as well. Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız regularly emphasizes that the key to a Hollywood smile that lasts is not only the position of the teeth but also the health of the “pink frame” around them.
Let’s focus on preventative measures for a minute. We don’t just put on braces. We start the treatment with bone scans. We can determine whether a patient has a high level of risk for gum recession. If yes, we can suggest a minor gum graft before or during the treatment. It’s akin to strengthening the foundation of that gorgeous sea-facing villa before the renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions(From Our Patients)
“There’s no need to be frightened but you shouldn’t just ignore it either. When you notice signs of gum recession, the first thing you need to do is to tell your dentist. The treatment doesn’t have to be stopped, but the tooth can be ‘parked’ – in other words, we stop moving it – so that the tissue can get used to it, or we may change the force we’re applying.”- Dentist Polen Akkılıç
Unfortunately, gum tissue differs from skin in that it simply won’t ‘grow back’ when it’s gone. But, we can stop it from deteriorating further. Lema Dental Clinic can perform a gum graft to replace that tissue if there is a severe recession, but this will only be done after your teeth have been properly aligned and stabilized.
There is no clear answer to that, as both sides of the argument still exist. On the other hand, Invisalign allows you to carry out oral hygiene more easily since you can take them off to brush. However, the pressure applied to the bone is the crucial factor. Both could lead to recession if the treatment plan is not accurate.”
Typically, in the beginning, it is not painful, and that’s why it’s deceptive. You may feel a bit of sensitivity to cold water which could be a sign that the tooth root is gradually getting exposed. This is your body’s way of warning that you are exerting too much pressure and that it’s time to get checked by a dentist.”
“The fact is that Lema is the only place where we apply advanced surgery with orthodontics in Turkey. Moreover, we don’t only analyze your teeth. We consider the bone, the gums, and the facial aesthetics altogether. You get globally recognized technology plus a very individualized approach.”
- Wennström, J. L. (1996). Mucogingival considerations in orthodontic treatment. Seminars in Orthodontics, 2(1), 46-54.
- Melsen, B., & Allais, D. (2005). Factors of importance for the development of dehiscence during labial movement of mandibular incisors: A retrospective study of adult orthodontic patients. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
- Joss-Vassalli, I., et al. (2010). Orthodontic therapy and gingival recession: a systematic review. Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research.
- Sarver, D. M. (2001). Enamel etching and bonding: The effect of orthodontic treatment on the periodontium. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics.
- Yared, K. F. G., et al. (2006). Periodontal status of mandibular central incisors after orthodontic labial movement. European Journal of Orthodontics.
