Gingival recession. The condition, process, and treatment.

The condition of gingival recession with its attendant patient complaints and additional professional concerns has been distinguished from the process of recession of the gingiva which has an obscure etiology. It has been suggested that the complaints and concerns regarding gingival recession be treated directly when they occur. Deviation from the expected anatomical form is not considered to be an excuse for therapy. The importance of the anatomical factors of alveolar bone dehiscence (long gingival fiber attachment) and lack of attached gingiva (absence of the fiber barrier) is not known. However, the current modailties of treatment have been examined in light of these hypotheses. Clearly, the effects of these anatomical factors on the process of recession of the gingiva need to be investigated.