Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures
Some patients may simply want to feel better about their smiles. That’s why we offer a range of cosmetic periodontal surgery options to leave our patients with healthy, bright smiles that they can be proud of. Cosmetic periodontal surgery may be used to prevent gum recession or cover sensitive, undesired, or exposed surfaces of the root. A number of these procedures can be successfully achieved with the work of a periodontist and cosmetic dentistry work by a qualified dentist.
Gum Graft
Patients may experience gum recession, during which gum tissue surrounding the teeth gradually pulls away from the teeth- which may be aesthetically undesirable for patients. Other issues include damage and loss of the supporting bone, or in severe cases, gum recession may cause tooth loss.
A gum graft, or soft tissue graft, is used to reduce recession of the gums, cover undesirable tooth roots, and protect tooth roots from decay or eventual tooth loss. Gum grafting uses donor gum tissue which the periodontist will surgically attach to the areas experiencing gum recession. This donor gum tissue may be taken from other areas of the patient’s mouth, or from another gum donor.
Gum Reshaping
The gingiva, or gums, may develop abnormally in some patients, which can contribute to a juvenile appearance. Additionally, certain medications such as antirejection drugs or heart medications may affect a patient’s gums. This may be seen in cases of gum overgrowth or hyperatrophication, which is the excessive atrophy or deterioration of gums. We can re-contour the patient’s gum tissue to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Crown Lengthening
Some patients may believe that their teeth are too short. However, in many cases, this is caused by unusually high gum lines. This creates the appearance that the teeth are too short, even if they may be average length. Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that reshapes excess bone and gum tissue where needed to expose more of the patient’s natural tooth. Crown lengthening may also be used for smaller projects, such as some teeth as opposed to the entire gumline.
Ridge Preservation
When teeth are extracted, the process of bone loss will naturally begin. Over time, the jawbone associated with the extracted tooth will begin to atrophy, or deteriorate, from lack of use. To prevent this, ridge preservation can be performed following a tooth extraction. Ridge preservation uses bone grafting to support the newly empty socket so that bone atrophy does not occur.
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