Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, a periodontist may be able to help.
Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, a periodontist may be able to help.
Do you feel your teeth look too short and your smile is too gummy or do 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, the 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. Although your teeth appear short, they may actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with too much gum tissue. We can correct this by performing the periodontal plastic surgery procedure, crown lengthening. During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue are reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to more than one tooth, to even your gum line, and to create a beautiful smile.
Sometimes gum recession causes the tooth root to become exposed, which makes your teeth look long and can make you look older than you are. This recession can happen as a result of a variety of causes, including periodontal diseases. Gum graft surgery and other root coverage procedures are designed to cover exposed roots, to reduce further gum recession and to protect vulnerable roots from decay. During gum graft surgery, your periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root.
This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity. A gum graft can reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay. This may reduce tooth sensitivity and improve esthetics of your smile. Whether you have a gum graft to improve function or esthetics, patients often receive the benefits of both: a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health – your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence. Soft tissue graft is used to cover unattractive tooth roots, reduce gum recession, and protect the roots from decay and eventual loss.
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 also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth. Ridge augmentation can fill in this defect recapturing the natural contour of the gums and jaw. A new tooth can then be created that is natural-looking, easy to clean, and beautiful. Tooth loss causes the jaw bone to recede and can lead to an unnatural looking indentation in your gums and jaw, and appearance of a general aging. The original look of your mouth may not be recaptured because of spaces remaining under and between replacement teeth. They may appear too long compared to nearby teeth. Bone grafting following tooth loss can preserve the socket/ridge and minimize gum and bone collapse. There is less shrinkage and a more aesthetic tooth replacement for either an implant crown or fixed bridge around the replacement teeth.
For more information about gum grafting and bone grafting, please refer to the treatment section of our website, and click on each individual procedure for an in-depth description.
A frenum is a naturally occurring muscle attachment, normally seen between the front teeth (either upper or lower). It connects the inner aspect of the lip with the gum. A lack of attached gingiva, in conjunction with a high (closer to the biting surface) frenum attachment, which exaggerates the pull on the gum margin, can result in recession. Additionally, an excessively large frenum can prevent the teeth from coming together resulting in a gap between the front teeth. If pulling is seen or the frenum is too large to allow the teeth to come together, the frenum is surgically released from the gum with a frenectomy. A frenectomy is simply the surgical removal of a frenum. When Orthodontic treatment is planned or initiated, the removal of an abnormal frenum, with or without a gingival graft, can increase stability and improve the success of the final orthodontic result.
The amount of gums showing in a normal full smile is 1-2mm. A display of 4mm or more of gum exposure is considered unattractive. The incidence of gummy smile may approximate 14 percent in females and 7 percent in males. Hyperfunction of the lip elevator muscles often results in excessive gum display and is the primary factor when lip length is normal and the lower third of the face is proportional to the other thirds. A differential diagnosis of excessive gum display must include an examination for delayed eruption, orthodontic problems, and skeletal deformities. Some cases may require complex treatment involving crown lengthening, orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, lip positioning surgery and restorative dentistry.
The amount of gums showing in a normal full smile is 1-2mm. A display of 4mm or more of gum exposure is considered unattractive. The incidence of gummy smile may approximate 14 percent in females and 7 percent in males. Hyperfunction of the lip elevator muscles often results in excessive gum display and is the primary factor when lip length is normal and the lower third of the face is proportional to the other thirds. A differential diagnosis of excessive gum display must include an examination for delayed eruption, orthodontic problems, and skeletal deformities. Some cases may require complex treatment involving crown lengthening, orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, lip positioning surgery and restorative dentistry.
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Pinhole Surgical Technique, breakthrough gum grafting alternative treatment for gum recessions…
A minimally invasive solution with a fixed full-arch implant restoration for high patient satisfaction, Fixed (Non-removable) Same-Day-Teeth, providing immediate function and aesthetics
Unlike with regular scalpel “gum surgery” there is no cutting of the gum tissues or sewing with stitches, so the whole experience is virtually pain free. Laser
For nearly two decades, Dr. Noroozi and his dedicated team have transformed the smiles of thousands of patients, delivering exceptional results with minimal discomfort, fewer complications, and quicker recovery times. As the founder and clinical director of IMPrESS Perio Implant Center, Dr. Noroozi leads a renowned practice specializing in advanced microsurgery and minimally invasive periodontal and dental implant procedures.
