Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures

In addition to procedures to treat periodontal disease, Dr. Forrest also performs cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile. Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures include: Esthetic Crown Lengthening, Soft Tissue Grafts, Gum Reshaping, and Ridge Augmentation.

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 ask Dr. Forrest 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, "esthetic" crown lengthening is performed. During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue are 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.    

                  

Soft Tissue Grafts are available to stop further gum recession, and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line. 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, you may not be 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. Once these contributing factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft procedure will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss.

Sometimes when you lose one or more teeth, you can get an indentation in your gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. Not only is this indentation unnatural looking, it also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth. Dr. Forrest can fill in this "defect" with a procedure called ridge augmentation, recapturing the natural contour of your gums and jaw. A new tooth can then be created that is natural looking, easy-to-clean, and attractive.