Tooth preservation
Protecting exposed root surfaces
When the gum recedes, the root of the tooth is exposed — without enamel. That surface hurts more easily and decays faster.
Consultation and treatment take place in German, Spanish, English or Portuguese.
Why the root surface is the problem.
“An exposed root has no enamel protecting it.”
The visible part of a tooth is covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the body. The root below the gumline has no enamel — there is cementum, and dentine beneath it.
Dentine contains countless fine channels running to the nerve. When the gum recedes and this area is exposed, cold, sweetness, a draught of air and the toothbrush reach the nerve directly. That is the pain you feel.
There is a second problem: the exposed root surface is less resistant to acid than enamel. Decay develops there faster. Pain and decay risk meet at the same spot.
What is actually happening.
Cause
The gum recedes
Periodontitis, brushing too hard, grinding and age-related change are the most common reasons.
Symptom
Cold shoots through
Cold drinks, sweetness, cold air or the toothbrush trigger a short, sharp pain.
Vicious circle
The spot stops being cleaned
Because it hurts, it gets brushed less. Plaque stays, inflammation increases, the gum recedes further.
Decay
Root surface is weaker than enamel
The exposed surface withstands acid less well — decay develops there faster.
Not reversible
Receded gum does not grow back
So both things apply at once: protect the exposed surface and treat the cause.
Progression
Left alone, it spreads
As long as the cause remains, the exposed area grows. Early is easier.
How it works
How we approach it.
Treat the cause and protect the surface — both, not one.
Find the cause
We check whether periodontitis, brushing pressure, grinding or the bite is the main driver. Skip this and it returns.
Rule things out
We distinguish sensitivity from decay and from an inflamed nerve. Pain at night points to something else.
Treat the cause
Periodontitis is treated, brushing technique corrected, and a night guard considered where there is grinding.
Seal the surface
A protective coating goes onto the exposed root surface. Nothing is drilled and an anaesthetic is usually not needed.
Check the effect
Many patients notice the difference immediately after application. How much varies from person to person.
Reapply regularly
The layer is not permanent. At each check-up we look at it and reapply if needed.
About the cost
About the cost of this treatment.
The cost depends on the findings and the option you choose. Before treatment begins you receive a written treatment and cost plan (Heil- und Kostenplan) listing every item, with the insurance allowance and your own share. We start nothing before you have read it.
Costs and payment →Frequently asked questions
What does a protective coating actually do?
It forms a thin layer on the exposed root surface so that stimuli reach the nerve less easily through the dentine channels. Nothing is drilled, an anaesthetic is usually not needed, and it is done in a single appointment.
How long does it last?
Depending on the material and the site, expect a few months. Eating, drinking and brushing wear it away gradually — it is not permanent. At every check-up we assess it and reapply where needed.
I read that it releases ions. What for?
The material we use releases several ions over weeks, fluoride among them. It is expected to support remineralisation of the tooth surface and improve resistance to acid. That is support — not a substitute for cleaning and prevention.
Does this cure the sensitivity?
It can dampen the symptom; it does not remove the cause. If the reason for the gum recession is not addressed — periodontitis, brushing pressure, grinding — the exposed area keeps growing. The coating protects; treating the cause is what decides the outcome.
How is it different from toothpaste for sensitive teeth?
Toothpaste works gradually through daily use and makes sense when exposed dentine is the cause. The coating is applied at the practice and forms the protective layer immediately. Using both is not unusual.
Does it hurt, and how long does it take?
Nothing is drilled, so it is not a painful procedure. The application itself is brief. Afterwards we may ask you to avoid eating and drinking for a while.
Is it suitable for children or during pregnancy?
Since nothing is drilled, it can be used broadly. If you are pregnant, please tell us beforehand — we then decide on material and timing.
Is the coating enough on its own?
No. It takes the pain away at the surface, but it replaces neither treatment of the cause nor regular prevention. Both belong to it, otherwise the problem returns in a new spot.
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