Healthy Status Always » Gum Disease

What To Expect During A Gum Disease Exam

hosnee — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:25:36 +0000

You suspect that you may have gum disease. You have done the responsible thing and made a dentist appointment. The dreaded day has arrived and you wonder what to expect at the visit. Knowing in advance what may happen during this visit may put your mind at ease.

Knowing that you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, your dentist will want to do a complete periodontal examination and probing to evaluate the health of your gums and teeth. During the exam your dentist will be looking for evidence of gingivitis, periodontitis or bruxism (tooth grinding), and other dental problems.

Your dentist will be looking for evidence of the following:

Lumps or lesions in the mouth
Changes in color of your gums, inner cheeks or tongue
Any loose or missing teeth
The color, shape, size and texture of your gums
The presence of any bridges, crowns, fillings, dentures or implants
The presence of plaque on your teeth
The space between your tooth and gum (sulcus)
To see if your gums bleed during probing
Any evidence of gum recession
How your teeth come together when you bite (occlusion)

The dentist may also take a dental x-ray to help him determine the extent and pattern of bone loss around each tooth. The x-rays allow the dentist to see crown of the tooth (top), and root of each tooth.

It is possible that the dentist may want to have a panoramic x-ray done to see all the important structures of your skull, including maxillary sinuses and jaw joints.

Your dentists will keep track of these measurements so that future measurements will tell him how well you are handling treatment and if you are responding well to treatment. Some dental offices can track these measurements by computer.

Part of the exam will involve looking at surfaces of the mouth visually and today many dentists use a tiny video camera that is placed in your mouth to do this.

After the exam your dentist will tell you the results of the exam and if there was evidence of gum disease. If you do have gum disease he will recommend a treatment plan that will include good oral hygiene and repair of any teeth that are in need of repair. Repair may be done by filling, crown, root canal or tooth extraction. If you have severe gum disease you may be referred to a Periodontist or oral surgeon.

If the exam reveals that you do not have gum disease your dentist or hygienist will explain ways that you can help to prevent gum disease.

Preventing gum disease:

1. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day. After meals is prefered. Brushing will remove any plaque on the surfaces of your teeth. If plaque is left on your teeth it can harden and form calculus.

2. Use fluoride toothpaste to help prevent decay on the surfaces of your teeth.

3. Floss your teeth daily to remove the plaque that gets in between your teeth where brushing can't clean.

4. Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help control the formation of plaque.

Special Concerns Women Have About Gum Disease

hosnee — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:31:36 +0000

All her life, a woman will have times when she must take special care of her health. Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause are the special times of her life. She will have many healthcare needs during these special times, one of them will be protecting her oral health from the changes her body is undergoing.

Puberty

Puberty is when there is an increase in her hormone levels. This increase causes many major changes in her body including an increase in progesterone and possibly estrogen, which will cause an increase in the amount of blood that circulates to her gums. This increased blood supply may cause greater sensitivity whichmay lead to gum irritation from food particles and plaque that become deposited on her teeth and gums while she eats. Her gums may become swollen, become redder and feel tender.

As the woman goes further on through the puberty years, her gums will become less sensitive, so irritants won't tend to bother her gums as much.

It is vital that during puberty, every woman protects her oral health by brushing her teeth after each meal, floss daily and use a mouth rinse daily. Her dentist may decide to prevent damage to the tissues and bone that surround her teeth by doing periodontal therapy.

Menstruation

During each monthly menstruation a young woman may experience something called, "menstruation gingivitis". This is a condition that only lasts during the days of her period and then will clear up once her period has ended. She may not get it with every cycle, or quite possibly she may get it everytime. The symptoms of "menstruation gingivitis" are:

Bleeding gums
Bright red, swollen gums
Sores on the inside of her mouth

As during other times of her life, she needs to take special care of herself by eating nutritious meals and snacks, getting plenty of rest and following good oral hygiene habits. She should continue to brush after meals, even if her gums bleed. It is even more important to remove food particles in between her teeth when her gums are sensitive.

Pregnancy

A woman may experience gingivitis again at this special time of her life, except this time it is called, appropriately, "pregnancy gingivitis". Pregnancy gingivitis if she is going to get it, usually occurs during the second or third month of her pregnancy. The gingivitis may increase in severity as she advances in her pregnancy and up to her eith month of pregnancy. She may notice gums that bleed and swell, become reddened and may be tender. She may notice large lumps on her gums that are caused by irritants. These lumps are called, "pregnancy tumors", and are not cancerous and are usually painless and harmless. These lumps will disappear after delivery of the baby. If however, they persist, a periodontist may have to remove them surgically.

There have been some studies conducted that have linked periodontal disease with pre-term or low-birth-weight babies. Any infection during pregnancy is serious, including gum infections.

Scheduling an oral exam during your pre-pregnancy planning is a wise idea and will be one more thing you can do to actively care for the health of your unborn baby.

Oral Contraceptives

Women who use oral contraceptives may develop the same oral health conditions that women do during pregnancy and should also follow good oral hygiene and see their dentist at regular intervals (usually every 6 months) while taking oral contraceptives.

Menopause and Post-Menopausal Women

Women who have begun process of menopause or who are post-menopausal may also experience changes in their oral health. They may experience dry mouth more often, have pain or burning sensations in their gum tissue. They may also experience a new taste in their mouth that what they have previously experienced that may taste salty, peppery or sour.

Like other special times of change, there is a gingivitis that is special for this time of her life called, "menopausal gingivostomatitis". This however only affects a small percentage of women in this group. If they have menopausal gingivostomatitis, the symptoms are:

Gums that look dry or shiny
Gums that bleed easily
Gums that are pale to deep red in color

Estrogen supplements may relieve symptoms of menopausal gingivostomatitis, so ask your dentist or gynecologists if you have any questions concerning estrogen supplementation.

As women age bone loss is a concern and can be a part of both periodontal disease and osteoporosis. There may be a connection between the two conditions; research is currently being conducted to investigate the possibility.

As with other stages of her life, it is important to continue good oral hygiene habits.

Pregnancy And Dental Health

hosnee — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:01:36 +0000

Becoming pregnant is a wonderful state of being that causes a great deal of changes in the body. There is an old wives tale that when it comes to pregnancy there is, "A tooth for every child." While this is not exactly the truth, women will experience changes in their teeth and gums when they become pregnant and as they go through the different trimesters of their pregnancy.

There is a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis and approximately half of all women will experience it. Unlike regular gingivitis this type can cause a certain level of pain and discomfort and bring on such symptoms as bleeding, redness, swelling, puffiness, and tenderness in the tissues of the gums. If pregnancy gingivitis is allowed to develop into the more serious periodontal disease then the attachment fibers of the teeth can weaken and bone loss and loosened teeth can result. This can inadvertently affect the health of the baby, both before and after he or she is born.

Research studies have clearly shown that there is a strong connection between gum disease and women giving birth to babies who are preterm and low birth weight. Some studies have suggested that pregnant women with gum disease are seven times as likely to have a baby that comes into the world too soon and is tiny in size as opposed to women who do not show any signs of gum disease. It is strongly believed that the reason for this is a chemical that is "labor-inducing" and is found in the bacteria in the mouth known as prostaglandin. Women who have been diagnosed with severe periodontal disease often show extremely high levels of this chemical in their system.

Pregnant women who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease should visit their doctor as often as possible. A periodontist is likely to recommend a type of non-surgical procedure known as scaling and root planing. This procedure involves cleaning the teeth and roots of teeth in order to get rid of plaque and tartar that has built up in the pockets at the base of the teeth. The roots of the teeth will then be smoothed down in order to get rid of the bacteria and toxins that reside there.

Scaling and root planing are dental procedures that can be very effective at decreasing the risk that a woman with gum disease will suffer a preterm birth. These procedures are also effective at reducing many of the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany gum disease such as redness, swelling and tenderness of the gums.

In order to decrease your chances of a premature birth and all of the problems that this brings a woman should take a multivitamin supplement every day that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid which is a B vitamin, both in the months before she becomes pregnant and during her pregnancy. She should also give up smoking and drinking and engage in neither during her pregnancy. Even one drink and one cigarette can be harmful to a developing fetus. Always follow your doctor's and dentist's orders and take as good of care of your health and your body as you possibly can.

Gum Disease Concerns During Pregnancy

hosnee — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:18:36 +0000

Swollen, tender and bleeding gums are often experienced during pregnancy and may be caused by higher than normal progesterone levels. Pregnant women also have an increased blood supply to the mouth. These symptoms are often called, "pregnancy gingivitis" and it can affect as much as 1/2 of all pregnant women.

It has been known for some time that certain elements pass from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. elements such as alcohol and tobacco can travel from the mom to the baby creating birth defects.

Recent research has uncovered the fact that the bacterium "Fusobacterium nucleatum" has been linked to both premature birth and stillborn babies. This very bacterium is also present in gum infections. This bacterium is NOT found in the uterine area at all, so doctors are puzzled as to how it can be the cause of premature birth or stillbirth. The answer seems to be in the connection between gum disease in the mom and the passing of bacteria through the placenta.

The immune system of the pregnant woman relaxes slightly during pregnancy so that it does not reject the fetus. When gum disease is present there are 10,000 times the normal population of bacteria in the mouth. Bleeding gums, a common symptom of gum disease can mean, that the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and thus travel though the mom's bloodstream and to the placenta where it enters the baby.

Women trying to conceive should visit the dentist as part of the preparation work for having a healthy baby.

Pregnant women should continue to see the dentist as instructed by their dentist and should also practice good dental hygiene at home.

It is especially important to floss while pregnant and to use a good anti-gum disease mouthwash.

Another concern when pregnant is that some research has shown that there may be a link between chronic gum disease and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication. Pregnant women who have preeclampsia experience high blood pressure and protein in their urine. It is not conclusive that the gum disease causes the preeclampsia only that women with preeclampsia were also found to have gum disease.

Pregnant women have special mouth issues that can develop. One such issue is the "pregnancy tumor (pyogenic granuloma)" that can grow to up to 3/4" in size and is common to grow in an area that is affected by gingivitis. These pregnancy tumors can actually show up anywhere on the body but are most common in the mouth. These tumors usually disappear after the baby is born. If they persist, they can be removed. Pregnancy tumors are harmless and painless to the woman.

If any symptoms of gum disease pop up during pregnancy, it is important the the woman seek dental care to determine the cause and to provide treatment. Caring for her teeth is one more way a pregnant woman can take care of herself and her baby during pregnancy.

Gum Disease Treatments

hosnee — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:52:36 +0000

Treatments for Gum Disease will depend on the severity of your infection. Your dental care professional will examine your teeth and gums and access the best way to prevent further damage and to treat the symptoms that you present with. Treatments for gum disease may include non-surgical treatments, periodontal surgery, laser therapy, dental implants and also cosmetic procedures.

There are AAP guidelines that dictate that gum disease should be treated in the least invasive manner possible for the comfort and cost-effective considerations of the patient. Non-surgical procedures are the least invasive for the patient.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

Scaling and root planing (careful cleaning fo the root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar from the deep pockets) are two non-surgical treatments.

After these two procedures dental patients will require ongoing maintenance to help prevent the reoccurrence of gum disease.

Non-surgical treatment does not always accomplish its goals and surgery may be needed.

Periodontal Surgery Procedures:

This is usually done when your dental professional determines that the gum tissue is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.

There are four common surgical procedures performed to care for patients.

Pocket Reduction
Regenerative Procedures
Crown Lengthening
Soft Tissue Grafts

Lasers:

Lasers may be used along with scaling and root planing to improve the effectiveness of these procedures. When lasers are used during dental procedures less bleeding may occur as well as a decreased occurrence of swelling and discomfort. Lasers must be used with care as additional damage can be caused to the tissue if improper wave length or power level is used.

Insurance companies pay for the procedure being performed and not the devices being used so choosing to use Laser treatment should not have a bearing on your insurance coverage.

Dental Implants:

This is a permanent tooth replacement option for those who have experienced tooth loss due to gum disease. Dental implants are artificial teeth that are placed into the jaw in order to hold in place, replacement teeth or dental bridge. Dental implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. They are natural looking and feeling. Dental implants can bring back your confidence and have you smiling again. Dental implants can also improve the ability to chew and speak.

Cosmetic Procedures:

Not only can cosmetic procedures improve the appearance, it may improve function as well.

Cosmetic procedures include:

Crown Lengthening – This is done to improve the esthetics of the gum line and to also lay down the groundwork for restorative dentistry.

Ridge Augmentation – This is used to fill in places of unnatural looking gaps or indentations caused by the jawbone receding due to tooth loss. Ridge Augmentation creates a more natural looking and easier to clean contour of your gums and jaw.

Soft Tissue Grafts – Gum disease often causes gum recession. These exposed roots can be sensitive to cold foods and hot or cold liquids. The grafts are made from tissue taken from your palate or another donor source and used to cover the exposed root. Grafts can be done for one tooth or several of your teeth. Grafts also even out your gum line.

Gum Disease And Your Health Connection

hosnee — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:18:36 +0000

It is important to prevent or correct gum disease not only for cosmetic reasons but because gum disease can have an impact on other health issues.

The bacteria in the mouth that results from the presence of gum disease can enter the bloodstream and travel to other major organs in your body where they can begin new infections in these sites. Research has been conducted that may support the idea that bacteria that starts out in our mouth may indeed contribute to the development of other diseases within the body like: heart disease. It may also increase our risk for stroke, preterm labor. Gum disease can also pose serious threat to someone whose health is already in a precarious position due to diabetes, osteoporosis or respiratory diseases.

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining of the heart or heart valves, which could damage the valves. It has been shown that patients who have Bacterial endocarditis often times have periodontal disease present also. The theory is that the bacteria present in periodontal disease can get into the bloodstream and travel to other organs including the heart.

Your mouth should be an important part of your health plan to keep your body free of disease. Make it a point to care for your mouth as if your life depends upon how healthy it is, because it just very well be the case. The best way to care for your mouth is to seek regular dental health care visits, find out how to brush your teeth properly, learn how to floss correctly and make an effort to really care for your mouth as instructed by your dental care professionals.

It is vitally important that all individuals practice good dental health but those individuals who suffer from diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis or who are pregnant should take special care to actively do what is needed for proper dental care. Individuals who have family members with gum disease should also be diligent about dental care as research suggests that there is a possible familial connection to periodontal disease. That connection is that family members are more apt to share saliva (eating or drinking out of the same utensils, toothbrushes touching).

Think of your mouth as the doorway to the rest of your body. You do not want bacteria entering your body; so keep your mouth as clean as possible by observing good dental hygiene.

When you brush, floss or use mouthwash think about these activities as your arsenal against infections in other parts of your body. Your toothbrush, floss and mouthwash bottle become your weapons against the diseases that are threatening your body. They give you some measure of control over disease. In a world where it can seem that we do not have much control, it is good to know that there are some things available to us that can make a difference in the state of our health.

Take good care of your mouth, and you take good care of the rest of your body as well.

Medications And Antibiotic Treatments For Gum Disease

hosnee — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:40:36 +0000

Some dentists will prescribe some forms of medication to accompany treatments such as scaling and root planning but there are instances where the disease is too advanced and surgery must be seriously looked at. Antibiotic treatments can be used with a variety of oral therapies as well as surgery and in some cases are used by themselves to decrease the levels of bacteria or to get rid of as much of the harmful bacteria as possible.

Many of those in the medical and dental professions however believe that antibiotics are prescribed to patients too often and this overuse and sometimes abuse of antibiotics can lead to the risk of bacteria and germs becoming resistant to the antibiotics, thus destroying their effectiveness in working the way they were meant to.

The knowledge of this potential resistant to antibiotics has scientists and researchers working to create new strategies to reduce the chance that a resistant to an antibiotic will occur. What happens sometimes is this- a person is prescribed an antibiotic for a bacterial related infection. The antibiotic may kill off most of the harmful bacteria but a few of the germs may remain behind in the body. These germs then will mutate or they will develop resistance genes that they take from other bacteria found in the body. These resistance genes can then quickly go to work to multiply, thereby creating strains that are resistant to the antibiotics that are meant to do away with them. These strains in the body mean that the next time the individual has a similar infection, the same drug will get rid of it. This is especially frightening for people with serious illnesses who require antibiotics on a frequent basis.

Three new antibiotic drugs have recently been approved by the FDA that has been proven to not have problems with resistant. These drugs are applied directly to the periodontal pocket and are to be given in sustained-release does. The drugs are Atridox (doxycycline hyclate), Arestin (minocycline) and PerioChip (chlorhexidine gluconate). Antibiotics that are applied directly to the surface of the gums do not affect the functioning of the entire human body in the way that taking antibiotics orally does.

A variety of medications are presently used for people who suffer from gum disease:

Prescription Antimicrobial Mouth Rinse

This prescription mouth rinse is composed of an antimicrobial substance known as chlorhexidine that effectively inhibits bacteria formation during gingivitis treatment and following gum surgery.

Antiseptic "Chip"

This is a small piece of gelatine that contains chlorhexidine and is used to inhibit bacteria and decrease the size of the pockets at the gum line. This antiseptic "chip" is placed into the mouth after root planning has been done.

Antibiotic Gel

This gel contains the antibiotic ingredient doxycycline and has the same purpose as the antiseptic "chip". The gel is used after SRP and is released into the system slowly over a period of approximately seven days.

Enzyme Suppressant

This contains a small dose of doxycycline and helps to keep harmful enzymes in their place. The enzyme suppressant is a pill that is commonly used in conjunction with SRP.

Teenagers And Gum Disease

hosnee — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:14:36 +0000

The statistics taken on gum disease paint an interesting picture of the people most prone to develop gum disease. Many people wrongly assume that gum disease is a problem that naturally occurs as a person ages. This is not the case. Gum disease and old age do not have to go together. In fact while gum disease is uncommon in teenagers, the milder form of it, known as gingivitis, can easily strike at a young age. Let us examine teenagers and their chances of falling victim to gum disease.

Some researchers believe that teenagers who have parents with gum disease are more likely to develop it. The foods and beverages a teenager consumes also play a paramount role. Many teenagers consume far too many snack foods that are high in sugar and/or are fatty, fried or starchy foods. This can cause problems to start in the gums and teeth.

Teenagers who have braces on their teeth need to work harder to brush and floss their teeth than do those who do not have braces. Many teens get lazy and don't pay as much attention to their oral hygiene as they should and this can lead to the early stages of gum disease.

There are certain types of medical conditions such as diabetes, leukemia and Down syndrome that can increase a teenager's chances of developing gum disease as can a variety of types of antibiotics prescribed for many types of infections and common health concerns of teenagers.

The gums can suffer when the immune system is not strong just as many other parts of the body can suffer. Not eating a healthy well balanced diet, getting less than adequate sleep and trying to cope with high levels of stress can all run down the body's resources and can lead to gum disease. This is common with teenagers who are always on the go and often go straight from school to part time jobs.

Teenage girls run a higher risk of developing gum disease than do teenage boys. This is due to hormonal changes that take place when puberty begins. An increase in sex hormones in girls will change the way the gums react to the bacteria found in plaque. These changes can make the gums of teenagers girls very sensitive and more inclined to become sore and irritated. Some teenage females may notice that bleeding of their gums when they brush or floss their teeth occurs in varying degrees in the days leading up to their menstrual periods.

It is estimated that more than half of all teenagers worldwide have one form or another of gum disease, with gingivitis being the most common form. Teenagers who smoke are more likely to develop the problem than are non-smoking teenagers. Smoking breaks down the body's defences and causes the immune system to not work as nature intended. Blood vessels become restricted and the mouth tissues are constantly assaulted by the toxins found in cigarettes. The more a teenager smokes, the greater are his or her chances of developing gum disease. Smoking in teenagers is also related to developing mouth cancers early in life. This is yet another reason to kick the habit right away, and if you do not smoke, not to start.

Answers To Questions Concerning Gum Disease

hosnee — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:39:36 +0000

Most individuals are curious about their mouth and how gum disease can affect them. Getting answers should come from your dentist. Knowing what to ask your dentist can help you for your next dental visit.

Here are some general answers to these questions. Use these answers as a springboard for the conversation you will be having with your dentist.

What is my risk for developing gum disease?

To discover if you are at risk for gum disease ask yourself if your gums ever bleed? Do you have any loose teeth? Look in the mirror and see if your gums are receding or do your teeth look longer? Do your smoke or use tobacco products? Has it been longer than two years since a dentist has seen you? How often do you floss? Do you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, high levels of stress, osteoporosis, osteopenia? Have any of your family members been diagnosed with gum disease? Take the answers to these questions to your dentist and you will find out what your gum disease risk factor is.

Is there a connection between tobacco smoking and gum disease? Smokers are more likely to have calculus on their teeth, or have deeper pockets between their teeth and gums and as a result lose more of the bone and tissue needed to support their teeth.

Is gum disease genetic? There may be a genetic factor in gum disease and research also shows that the bacteria found in saliva can be passed from family members.

How do I avoid gum disease?

The best way to avoid gum disease is to see your dentist on a regular basis, and to practice good dental hygiene.

What can I do to treat gum disease?

Your dentist will go over the treatment options with you. He/she is obligated to use the most non-invasive procedures to treat gum disease which may include non-surgical procedures.

Is gum disease harmful to a pregnant woman?

Research has linked gum disease with preterm birth, which may result in low-birth weight babies. Pregnant women need to seek dental care prior to becoming pregnant if possible or soon after discovering they are pregnant.

Is there an age at which, I can stop worrying about gum disease?

Gum disease can strike at any age. The risk actually increases with age. Factors that can contribute to gum disease are not necessarily age related but these factors tend to increase with age. Factors for gum disease include: a diminished immune status, certain medications, depression, decreased flow of saliva, lower financial status.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

If you notice the following symptoms, you should seek dental care:

If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or floss them.
You notice that your gums seem to have pulled away from your teeth.
You have persistent bad breath
You see pus in between your teeth and gums
You have loose teeth

These and any other questions you may have about gum disease should be discussed with your dental care professional. Information about gum disease can help you to have healthier teeth and gums.

Symptoms And Treatment Of Gum Disease

hosnee — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:32:36 +0000

Gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontal disease) are serious infections that anyone can contract. These oral infections are especially serious for the elderly, those with suppressed immune systems and those with chronic systemic diseases. Knowledge is power, understanding the symptoms of gum disease can help identify the need to see a dentist so that gum disease can be caught in the early stages before too much damage has been done to the support bone and tissue of the gum. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection seen in the mouth and affecting the gums, bones and teeth.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and has the following symptoms:

Reddened gums
Swollen gums
Gums that bleed easily

The cause of gingivitis is usually inadequate oral hygiene.

The treatment of gingivitis usually only requires that proper oral hygiene be learned and followed on a regular basis. The dentist will scale the plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth surfaces and remove the calculus from between the tooth and gum. This is usually all the treatment that is required for gingivitis.

Periodontal disease:

There are different types of periodontitis including aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis and periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases.

Rapid attachment loss (gum from tooth) and bone destruction are two symptoms of aggressive periodontitis.

Inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, aggressive detachment and bone loss as well as pocket formation and receding of the gum line are all signs of chronic periodontitis.

Periodontitis, especially when seen in very young patients is often a sign of systemic diseases such as diabetes. Dentists who see this type of periodontitis will refer the patient to a medical doctor for further evaluation and diagnosis of any underlying systemic disease.

Individuals who suffer from HIV infection, poor nutrition, and have suppressed immune systems may present in the dentist office with necrotizing periodontal disease, which is characterized by necrosis of the gingival tissues, supporting tissues or bone.

Treatment

If tissue around your teeth appears to be unhealthy by your dentist or periodontist, you may require periodontal surgery.

There are four periodontal surgeries:

Crown Lengthening
Pocket Reduction
Regenerative Procedures
Soft Tissue Grafts

Teeth that have been lost due to gum disease can be replaced with the aid of dental implants.

Individual with "gummy" smiles (too much gum tissue) and those who have periodontal disease undergo crown lengthening procedure. The purpose of the procedure is to adjust the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth in an effort to restore the tooth. This procedure is done for both cosmetic and functioning reasons.

When gum tissue does not fit snugly around the teeth, pocket depth reduction is performed to remove bacteria that are present behind the gum line, so that the gum can better attach to the tooth.

Regeneration procedures involve placing membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue in place under the gum tissue to reverse the damage caused by deterioration of bone and tissue.

The exposed roots of teeth can make the tooth appear too long and can also become sensitive to hot and cold drinks and food. A soft tissue graft will repair the exposed roots by adding gum tissue that is donated for this purpose.