|
Gum
Surgery
What
is cosmetic gum surgery?
Your
gum tissue is like a frame that provides
form and shape to the top of your tooth.
A less than attractive smile results
when the integrity of the gum is compromised
or the actual gum between your teeth
becomes weak. Usually due to poor hygiene
(gum disease), you actually begin to
lose gum tissue. Cosmetic dentistry
provides many cosmetic solutions such
as composite resin bonding, crowns,
and veneers to create a great smile.
These solutions are usually part of
an overall strategy which may involve
cosmetic gum surgery. Used to correct
a 'gummy smile' (a significant portion
of your gum is exposed when you smile),
cosmetic gum surgery is the procedure
of lengthening your teeth from the neck
of the tooth upwards. Your teeth then
appear to be longer and much less gum
is seen when you smile.
The
"Long in the Tooth" Smile
- Cosmetic gum surgery, or periodontal
plastic surgery, can correct almost
any deformity or gingival problems preventing
you from a beautiful smile. As we age,
our gums may shrink and recede which
makes our teeth look longer. While this
is often age-related, it can also occur
due to a bad bite. A cosmetic dentist
or a periodontist can correct this to
such an extent, that you'll have a very
youthful appearing smile.
The
"Gummy Smile" - This is a
problem where your teeth appear to be
too short. Gum sculpting is often the
solution. To solve this, a dentist uses
a laser to remove the excess tissue
of your "gummy" smile, which
then exposes more of your tooth.
____________________________________________________________
Who
is a candidate for cosmetic gum surgery?
You should consult your dentist about
cosmetic gum surgery if you believe
you have "Gummy Smile" (small
crown length), gum recession "long
teeth", an uneven gum line due
to "short teeth", gum loss
or gums which appear to be collapsing
(from missing teeth), dark or black
areas between bridges, implants, crowns
or teeth, or tooth sensitivity from
receding gums.
____________________________________________________________
Cosmetic
Gum Surgery Procedures
There
are two primary procedures for cosmetic
gum surgery, depending on your current
smile.
"Gummy
Smile" (Excessive Gingival Display)
A
"Gummy Smile" can occur due
to wear of teeth from teeth grinding,
a short upper lip, or having a longer
than usual upper jawbone. This smile
is when your teeth appear too small
and your gums appear to large.
"Long
Tooth Smile" (Gum Recession)
As
your gums recede, your teeth appear
longer than normal. While "long
teeth" may result in an unattractive
smile, you should also be concerned
with root sensitivity and possible tooth
loss. Recent advances in techniques
and materials have resulted in significant
improvements in both comfort, predictability
and esthetics.
___________________________________________________________
To
Correct a "Gummy Smile"
Cosmetic
gum surgery can be done to reduce the
excess gum and bone. The removal of
these tissues allows for normal sized
teeth and for a normal gum line appearance
by using an instrument, usually a laser,
to remove the undesirable tissue. Typically
your cosmetic dentist will prescribe
an antibacterial mouth rinse to be used
twice a day for a two-week period following
your surgery.
To
Correct a "Long Tooth Smile"
As
your gums recede, your teeth look much
"longer" than normal. Such
gum recession exposes your sensitive
root surface which often makes hot or
cold foods and drinks a painful experience.
Teeth can become loose as your gum recedes.
The cosmetic gum surgery solution is
basically when a cosmetic dentist or
periodontist removes tissue from the
roof of your mouth and then grafts it
onto your gum line. This tissue then
reinforces thin gums or fills in areas
where your gums have receded. Typically
your cosmetic dentist will prescribe
an antibacterial mouth rinse to be used
twice a day for a two-week period following
your surgery.
_______________________________________________________________
Advantages
& Disadvantages of Cosmetic Gum
Surgery
Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Gum
Surgery
Advantages:
Healing is usually quick and your more
youthful and beautiful smile is obvious
early on. It has been reported that
cosmetic gum surgery additionally improves
the health of your gums. The procedure
to correct receding gums may even reduce
your tooth sensitivity to cold or hot
foods or beverages while protecting
your roots from decay and lessening
further gum shrinkage.
Disadvantages:
Cosmetic gum surgery is of course, surgery.
Surgery is often performed in segments
under a local anesthetic - unless your
entire mouth is undergoing this procedure
at once, then a general anesthesia is
typically used.
>>
Next Section Contouring and reshaping
>>
Back to Top
>>Click
here to visit our Smiles Gallery of
Cosmetic Treatments
|
