There are many
reasons why the gums
and jawbone may
require corrective
treatment, including
periodontal disease,
trauma and birth
defects. Periodontal
disease
particularly, can
greatly disfigure
the natural
appearance of the
gums and teeth and
give the smile an
unaesthetic
appearance.
New ¡§cosmetic
surgery¡¨ procedures
are now available in
periodontics, which
effectively correct
cosmetic problems
and restore natural
beauty to the smile.
Here are some of the
most common gum and
jawbone corrective
treatments:
Common Gum
Treatments
-
Crown
lengthening
(gum lift)
¡V Crown
lengthening
is usually
performed to
correct a
¡§gummy¡¨
smile, or to
expose more
of the tooth
prior to a
restorative
surgery. In
some cases,
the teeth
look short
and stubby
and partly
covered by
gum tissue
due to
genetics or
gingivitis.
Excess gum
tissue can
easily be
removed to
reshape the
outline of
the gums,
expose the
natural
tooth
length, and
provide a
fuller, more
attractive
smile. The
same
procedure is
also an
excellent
way to
create a
more
aesthetic
gumline for
dental
crowns and
other
restorative
procedures.
¡@
-
Gum
grafts
¡V Gum grafts
are
generally
performed to
correct a
crooked
smile, or to
restore
symmetry to
the gumline
after
periodontal
disease has
been
treated.
Periodontal
disease
causes the
gums to
recede;
making the
smile look
overly
¡§toothy.¡¨
During a gum
graft, a
thin strip
of tissue is
removed from
the palate
and stitched
in place
over the
recession
site. Gum
grafts are
often used
to
re-contour
the gum line
and give the
teeth a more
pleasing
appearance.
¡@
-
Pocket
reduction
surgery
¡V
Periodontal
disease can
cause the
smile to be
marred with
unattractive
teeth, brown
gums and
ridge
indentations.
The aim of
pocket
reduction
surgery is
to clean the
root
surfaces of
the teeth e
subgingivally
(beneath the
gum line).
During this
procedure,
tartar,
plaque and
bacteria
that are
affecting
the teeth
and gums
will be
removed.
The gum is
first gently
separated
away from
the tooth,
and then the
calculus
(tartar) and
plaque are
removed
using
special
ultrasonic
and hand
instruments.
An
antimicrobial
liquid may
be
administered
to the area
to destroy
bacteria
colonies and
ensure the
pockets are
given the
chance to
naturally
heal.
Pocket
reduction
surgery is
an effective
way to
restore
health to
the gums and
bone.
Common Jawbone
Treatments
-
Sinus
augmentation
¡V This
procedure is
usually
performed
prior to the
placement of
dental
implants, to
ensure that
the
prosthetic
teeth are
both
functional
and firmly
affixed to
the bone.
The success
of an
implant
hinges on
the quantity
and quality
of the
jawbone to
which it
will be
attached.
If the
jawbone has
receded or
been
injured, a
sinus
augmentation
can slightly
elevate the
sinus floor
to allow new
bone to
form.
Generally, a
small
incision is
made in the
bone and the
underlying
space is
packed with
grafting
material.
The incision
is sutured
closed, and
the implant
will be
placed when
healing has
occurred.
¡@
-
Ridge
modification
¡V Ridge
modification
procedures
are used to
treat
deformities
in the
jawbone
which have
occurred due
to
periodontal
disease,
trauma or
birth
defects.
Birth
defects
particularly,
can leave an
unattractive
indentation
in the jaw,
which makes
placing
dental
implants
difficult.
During the
ridge
modification
procedure,
the gum is
gently
pulled away
from the
bone to
fully expose
the defect.
The defect
is filled
with bone
graft
material or
a similar
synthetic
product and
then sutured
closed.
When healing
occurs, the
cosmetic
appearance
of the jaw
is much
improved and
implants can
be
successfully
placed where
necessary.
¡@
-
Bone
grafts
¡V There are
a wide
variety of
reasons why
a bone graft
may be
necessary.
Bone
grafting
thickens the
jawbone to
allow for
the
successful
placement of
implant
anchors.
Bone grafts
can also
help elevate
the sinus
floor, fill
craters or
deformities
in the
jawbone
itself, or
allow for
successful
nerve
repositioning.
The grafting
material may
be harvested
from the
lower jaw,
the iliac
section of
the pelvis,
or
synthetically
created. In
most cases,
a small
opening is
made in the
jawbone and
packed with
the bone
graft
material.
Sutures are
placed and
restorative
treatments
are
performed
when healing
is complete.
If you have
questions or
concerns regarding
Gum or Jawbone
corrective
treatments please
ask your dentist.
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