PERIODONTICS AND ORAL IMPLANTOLOGY

PERIODONTICS AND ORAL IMPLANTOLOGY

Specialized gum care

Periodontics is that branch of dentistry which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all the diseases which affect the supporting structures of the teeth viz. gums, bone, etc. and restoring the health, function and aesthetics of the periodontal tissues.

Gum Disease Treatments

The treatment for periodontal disease varies, depending on the severity of the condition. Initial Treatment Plan: First, your dentist will evaluate the extent of the damage to develop the most conservative, initial plan. Dental hygiene will be evaluated to ensure that plaque (soft deposits on the tooth) has been removed on a daily basis. Next, calculus (also known as tartar) must be removed through a professional cleaning that is usually accompanied by a procedure called “deep scaling and root planing”. A local anesthetic may be administered during this procedure. Your dentist may also administer antibiotics to treat bacteria housed in the pocketed areas of the gum and recommend a medicated mouthwash to be used as a regular part of your home regimen.

Advanced Gum Disease Treatment Options

Tissue Regeneration
  • If the bone has been destroyed, your dentist may employ the latest technique called tissue regeneration, which involves grafting the bone to offer a better chance of bone re-growth. To strengthen thin gums, soft tissue grafts may also be used.
  • Guided tissue regeneration involves the insertion of a membrane that is used to help in the bone regeneration process. This is sometimes called upon during periodontal surgery.

Pocket Elimination Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be part of the treatment plan to help prevent tooth loss that may result from gum disease:

  • Periodontal flap surgery may be performed to reduce the pocket gap between the teeth and gums.
  • If the jaw bone has craters that house bacteria and contribute to gum disease, the bone may be reshaped through bone surgery to eliminate the craters and help prevent future recolonization of bacteria growth.

Gummy Smiles/ uneven Gums

Visit with your Periodontist today: A gum lift can correct a gummy smile. Gingival contouring (a minor surgical procedure) will result in a better smile. Most people with gummy smiles feel embarrassed in social situations as they stress over who’s focusing on their large gum line. Periodontists have made things easier. You can achieve your desired smile in a couple simple visits. Treating a gummy smile does not mean extensive surgery and lots of pain. In fact, it’s one of the easiest dental flaws to treat. When you’re ready to make-over your smile, schedule a consultation with your Periodontist to discuss your dream smile and your concerns. Most cosmetic dentists state that when you smile, your upper lip should fall where your gum and two front teeth join. To get a healthy, attractive smile, techniques such as lip repositioning and crown lengthening are used.

Minor Periodontal Surgical Techniques to Treat a Gummy Smile
Repositioning your lips

As one of the techniques used to treat a gummy smile, lip repositioning is most often used with crown lengthening but can also be used on its own. To treat, your cosmetic dentist takes out some of the tissue on the inside of your upper lip. After removal, your cosmetic dentist stitches the lip to your gums. Stitching prohibits the muscles that lift your lip from revealing an excessively large gum line. Lip repositioning is usually performed under local anaesthesia and takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Crown Lengthening

As one of the procedure in treating a gummy smile, crown lengthening consists of gum tissue removal. While you’re under anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist eliminates some of the gum tissue. This removal lengthens your teeth. Usually done in just one visit, crown lengthening only requires about two hours to complete. With advanced technologies and higher training, treating gummy smiles has never been easier. Consult your cosmetic dentist and discuss your treatment options.