Cosmetic Treatment For Periodontal Concerns
Many patients don’t realize it, but the gums are just as important to the smile’s appearance as the teeth are. When the gums are uneven or too prominent or too small, they have a noticeable, negative effect on the smile.
A soft tissue graft is particularly valuable for patients who have experienced significant gum recession.
As such, orthodontics alone may not give patients their dream smiles. Certain patients will need cosmetic dental surgery to achieve their aesthetic goals.
In some cases, a periodontist can perform a soft tissue graft. When the gumline is too high, and too much of the tooth material is exposed, the periodontist can take soft tissue from the palate or another donor site and graft it into the location with insufficient gum material.
This procedure can be used to make the gumline proportional and even out the areas that are too high. It can be done on a number of teeth at the same time or on just one tooth, if it is the only problem area.
A soft tissue graft is particularly valuable for patients who have experienced significant gum recession. The graft can cover up exposed tooth roots, protecting the patient from decay and bone loss. In covering the roots, the gum graft may also reduce a patient’s tooth sensitivity.
Patients who undergo gum grafts as treatment for gum recession should take extra care to prevent a recurrence of periodontal disease in the future. It is particularly important for those patients to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine that reduces the amount of bacteria found in the mouth.
If a gum graft has been recommended in your case, rest assured that the periodontist can take steps to ensure your comfort during the procedure, which is typically performed under local anesthesia in the office.
Periodontists have other options, such as cosmetic gum lifts, to enhance the appearance of the gums as well. If you are dissatisfied with the frame your gums provide for your smile, talk with Dr. Beth Tomlin to learn more about available interventions that may help. Contact our Dallas periodontics and implant dentistry practice at 214-949-1836 today.
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