FAQ’s About Gum Cosmetic Dentistry, PART 1
This article, part 1 of 2, explores some of the questions frequently asked about the variety of cosmetic procedures that focus upon the aesthetics of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth; the gums.
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, most patients think about teeth bleaching, porcelain veneers and dental implants. But did you know that there are a number of procedures designed to improve the appearance and symmetry of the gums as well? Think about it. Your gums are just as important to the overall quality of your smile as your teeth are. You could have beautiful pearly whites, but this has zero aesthetic appeal if your gums are so swollen and inflamed that they have encroached upon the surface of the teeth, leaving nothing but a row of little white nubs visible. Dr. Levine has seen thousands of patients presenting with a similar, if not the same case, as well as countless others with various cosmetic gum-related issues. So, in order to better understand what is possible with cosmetic dentistry, here are some of the questions frequently asked by patients.
Question: How can cosmetic dentistry improve upon the appearance of my gums?
Answer: As it was previously stated, the appearance of your gums is as important to the overall quality of your smile as healthy white and even teeth are! A crooked gum line, swollen or receding soft tissue can be exceptionally unsightly, even if your teeth are perfectly white and symmetrical. The branch of cosmetic dentistry that is concerned with restoring the aesthetics of the gums focuses on improving symmetry, evenness and a natural tooth-to-gum ratio. By covering up exposed tooth roots and removing gum tissue that has encroached upon the tooth crowns, Dr. Levine can both vastly improve upon the quality of your smile, while restoring a better standard of oral health and comfort (since exposed roots can make you more vulnerable to bacterial infection and more sensitive to temperature extremes).
Question: What procedures are offered by Dr. Levine?
Answer: Root coverage, crown lengthening and gum grafts are the main procedures offered by cosmetic dentistry. Crown lengthening is generally prescribed to patients whose gums have encroached significantly over their teeth, making their smile appear gummy. Root coverage using gum grafting is recommended by Dr. Levine for patients whose gums have significantly receded from their teeth, making their smile appear almost equine (horse-like). Please note that the cause behind a receding or encroaching gum line will always be determined first before a procedure is recommended. Oral bacterial infection is frequently the cause behind gum imperfections. If this is the case, your aesthetic problems can quite readily be addressed by Dr. Levine using non-surgical periodontal treatment and/or a course of anti-biotic medication before considering cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentistry: Stay Tuned!
Stay tuned for the next and final installment of our two-part article series on cosmetic dentistry and the procedures reserved for the treatment of aesthetic imperfections of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth.
The post FAQ’s About Gum Cosmetic Dentistry, Part 1 appeared first on Kenneth R. Levine, DDS.
The post FAQ’s About Gum Cosmetic Dentistry, Part 1 appeared first on Kenneth R. Levine, DDS.
