In addition to procedures to treat gum disease, our doctor performs cosmetic procedures such as connective tissue grafting to enhance your smile. These cosmetic procedures that we provide in our Spokane, WA office are very similar to those procedures described in Periodontal Treatment, but with an aesthetic goal in mind.
Aesthetic Crown Lengthening
A beautiful smile is the result of well-aligned teeth that are fully exposed. If excess gum tissue covers part of the anatomy of teeth and results in teeth that appear too short or a smile that exhibits too much gum tissue, aesthetic crown lengthening is indicated. Aesthetic crown lengthening is performed to remove excess gum tissue to create a gum line at the correct position and expose the full anatomy of teeth. This procedure may be performed on natural teeth or on teeth that are planned for restoration with crowns or veneers.
Aesthetic Gum Grafting
As with disease-caused gum recession, soft tissue loss causes the tooth root to become exposed, which makes your teeth look long and can make you look older than you are. This recession can happen as a result of a variety of causes, including periodontal diseases, genetics, and tissue trauma including hard brushing as well as other factors. Gum loss also causes further bone loss.
Gum graft surgery and other root coverage procedures are designed to cover exposed roots, reduce further gum recession, and protect vulnerable roots from decay. This procedure can also eliminate unsightly aesthetic differences between teeth and can minimize further loss of bone.
Ridge Augmentation
Ridge augmentations are done to restore and enhance normal ridge contours in areas where teeth have been removed. These sites are usually planned for tooth replacement with pontics (fake teeth) as part of a bridge or in sites planned for dental implants. Ridge augmentations may include the use of connective tissue or the use of bone grafts or both in combination. Ridge augmentation helps maintain natural-looking dentition and the avoidance of facial collapse.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a state-of-the-art way of replacing teeth. Implants are titanium screw-like fixtures that replace teeth with permanent restorations (crowns and bridges) or support removable appliances. Implants stimulate surrounding bone and prevent loss of jawbone over time, helping preserve a youthful facial appearance. Implants do not decay and have a longer life expectancy than teeth supported with bridges. They can also provide a one-tooth fix to a one-tooth problem, unlike a bridge that must utilize the adjacent teeth.
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