Other stories

A Closer Look at Periodontal Plastic Surgery

cos5Periodontal diseases can range from a simple gum inflammation to serious conditions that can cause major damage to the gums or the bone that supports the teeth. It can even lead to tooth loss. Treatment may begin with simple behavioral changes while, in some cases, patients may require periodontal plastic surgery.

Periodontal plastic surgery may also be performed on a patient for cosmetic purposes. After all, a beautiful set of teeth is important to maintain confidence and be able to live life to the fullest. Here are some of the popular periodontal procedures available today.

Crown Lengthening

For people whose teeth appear too short or too small or have an uneven gum line, crown lengthening is the answer. This is a procedure that is done to remove excess gum tissue to expose the crown of the tooth. Then, the gum line is sculpted to create the correct proportion between the gum tissue and the tooth. You can have this done on one tooth or an entire set of teeth.

Dental Implants

For people with missing or damaged teeth, dental implants are the solution. A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is placed in the gum to replace a missing tooth or hold a replacement tooth in place. It can also be implanted to provide support for a denture. They look and feel just like real teeth.

Ridge Augmentation

This procedure is done to correct irregularities in the jawbone, where natural teeth may be missing. They are also done to prevent collapsing of the jawbone after a tooth extraction, or help even out dental implants that may not fit well in the jaw compared to your natural teeth.

Root Coverage

During this procedure, gum tissue is taken from your palate and is used to cover any exposed tooth roots. This is recommended for severe cases of gum recession. Root coverage procedures are used to help develop gum tissue where it is needed and to make dental implants look more natural.

Pocket Depth Reduction

Pocket depth reduction is a procedure done to correct deep pockets caused by periodontal disease. During this procedure, pockets are cleaned and the gum tissue is secured in place. This will then eliminate any existing bacteria, which will prevent progression of periodontal disease.

In some cases, one may need not just one, but a combination of these procedures. Periodontal plastic surgery is used to create a framework necessary for further dental enhancements, such as veneers and orthodontics.

If you have any questions, please ask below!