Cosmetic periodontal procedures are a group of various techniques which can change the esthetics of your smile. They can be done to cover unsightly, sensitive, or exposed root surfaces, prevent future gum recession, change the length of your teeth, and change the underlying shape of the bone housing the teeth. If you are unhappy with the appearance of short or long unsightly teeth, this can be greatly improved by a combination of periodontal procedures by Dr. Harasty and cosmetic dentistry by your general dentist.
Although your teeth may appear short, they could actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with too much gum tissue. We can easily correct this by using a laser to perform the periodontal plastic surgery procedure, called crown lengthening. During this procedure, excess gum and/or bone tissue are reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one or more teeth, to even your gum line, and to create a beautiful smile.
Another cosmetic procedure is the soft tissue graft. It is used to cover unattractive tooth roots, reduce gum recession, and protect the roots from cold sensitivity and decay. This can be performed a number of different ways including using your own gum tissue, boxed donor tissue, and the Pinhole Surgical Technique. If this is indicated, Dr. Harasty will discuss your various treatment options in detail so that you can make the best decision for how you wish to proceed.
Tooth loss causes the jaw bone to recede which can lead to an unnatural looking indentation in your gums and jaw, and the appearance of facial aging. If grafting is not done, the original look of your mouth may not be recaptured by the replacement teeth because of spaces remaining under and between the replacement teeth and your natural teeth. They may appear too long and there may be large gaps in the gum tissue compared to your natural nearby teeth.
Bone grafting, at the time of tooth extraction, can preserve the socket/ridge and minimize gum and bone collapse. There is then less shrinkage of the hard and soft tissues which ultimately will allow for a more aesthetic tooth replacement for either a crown, fixed bridge, removable partial denture, or implant as the replacement teeth.
For more information about crown lengthening, 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.
