Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, a periodontist may be able to help.
Gummy Smile or Uneven Gum Line
Do you feel your smile is too gummy or your gums cover too much of some teeth while leaving the others the right length? If so, dental crown lengthening might be the solution for you. During this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed to expose more of the crown of the tooth. Then your gumline is sculpted to give your new smile just the right look.
Long Teeth or Exposed Roots
Sometimes gum recession as a result of periodontal disease causes the tooth root to become exposed, which makes your teeth look long.
Gum graft surgery and other root coverage procedures are designed to cover exposed roots, to reduce further gum recession, protect vulnerable tooth roots from decay, and improve your smile.
Indentations in the Gums and Jawbone
Tooth loss can cause an indentation in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. Not only is this indention unnatural looking, it can also impact the success of a replacement tooth, such as a dental implant.
Ridge augmentation can fill in this defect recapturing the natural contour of the gums and jaw. A dental implant can then be placed that is natural looking, easy to maintain, and functions like a real tooth.
