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Periodontal Surgery
On this page: Gum GraftsCrown LengtheningFunctional Crown Lengthening
On this page: Osseous Surgery Guided Tissue Bone Regeneration
Gum Grafts (Sub epithelial connective tissue grafts)
Periodontal procedures are available to stop further dental problems and gum recession, and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line.
Receded Gum Line
After Gum Graft
Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession. Perhaps you wish to enhance your smile by covering one or more of these roots that make your teeth appear too long. Or maybe you’re not bothered by the appearance of these areas, but you cringe because the exposed roots are sensitive to hot or cold foods and liquids.
Your gums may have receded for a variety of reasons, including aggressive tooth brushing or periodontal disease. You may not be in control of what caused the recession, but prior to treatment, Dr. Becker will help you identify the factors contributing to the problem. Once these contributing factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft procedure will repair the defect and help prevent additional recession and bone loss.
Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue which is absent due to excessive gingival recession.
During this procedure, Dr. Becker takes gum tissue from your palate (roof of the mouth) or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done to one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
A soft tissue gum graft can reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay; this may reduce tooth sensitivity and improve esthetics of your smile. A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health may be your key to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.
Crown Lengthening
Periodontal procedures are available to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line.
You may have asked about procedures to improve a "gummy" smile because your teeth appear short. Your teeth may actually be the proper length, but they’re covered with too much gum tissue. To correct this, Dr. Becker performs crown lengthening.
During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth, to even your gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.
Your dentist may also recommend crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Perhaps your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Whether you have crown lengthening to improve function or esthetics, patients often receive the benefits of both. A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health may be your key to smiling, eating, and speaking with comfort and confidence.
Functional Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that recontours the gum tissue and often the underlying bone surrounding one or more teeth so an adequate amount of healthy tooth is exposed. Crown lengthening is often used as part of a treatment plan for a tooth that is to be fitted with a crown. This procedure provides the necessary space between the supporting bone and crown, preventing the new crown from damaging gum tissues and bone.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Functional crown lengthening is an important part of an integrated effort to optimize your health, appearance, comfort and function.
Osseous Surgery
When deep pockets between teeth and gums (4 to 6 millimeters or deeper) are present, it is difficult for the dentist to remove plaque and tartar. Likewise, you may have trouble keeping these pockets clean and free of plaque.
If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, osseous surgery may be needed. One of the goals of periodontal surgery is to reduce the depth of the periodontal pockets to make them easier to keep clean.
With surgery, the dentist can access hard to reach areas that require the removal of tartar and plaque. The tooth root is cleaned and smoothed and bone around the tooth smoothed to help remove these pockets and disease. The gums are then sutured back into place or into a new position that will be easier to keep clean at home.
Bone surgery may be used to rebuild or reshape bone that has been destroyed. Grafts of the patient’s bone or artificial bone may be used, as well as special membranes. The dentist may use splints, bite guards or other appliances to stabilize loose teeth and to aid the regeneration of tissue during healing.
After surgery, Dr. Becker may apply a protective dressing over the teeth and gums. An antibiotic and mild pain reliever may be prescribed.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult for the dentist to remove plaque and tartar.
Guided Tissue Bone Regeneration
This surgical procedure "regenerates" the previously lost gum and bone tissue. Most techniques utilize membranes, which are inserted over the bone defects. Some of these membranes are bio-absorbable and some require removal. Other regenerative procedures involve the use of bioactive gels.