Periodontal Plastic Surgery

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PERIODONTAL PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES

Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, a periodontist may be able to help.

 

GUMMY SMILE OR UNEVEN GUM LINE

Does the appearance of your teeth seem too short, your smile too gummy or your gum line uneven? Crown lengthening may be the solution for you.  Excess gum tissue can be removed to reveal more of the tooth and the gumline is sculpted to give you a more pleasing smile.


LONG TEETH/EXPOSED ROOTS

Where the root of the tooth has become exposed due to trauma such as tooth brushing or periodontal disease, the tooth may appear longer.  This can have the effect of making you appear older than you are. 

Periodontal plastic surgery can be performed to graft gum or regenerate new tissue over these sites helping to improve appearance, reduce further recession and protect tooth roots from dental decay.


INDENTATIONS IN THE GUMS AND JAWBONE

Tooth loss may cause resorption of the surrounding bone and an indentation in the gum where the tooth used to be. This indentation results in a loss of symmetry that can negatively affect the appearance of your smile and make any replacement tooth appear too long.

Ridge augmentation procedures can help to fill these defects improving the contour of the gum and jaw and creating a more natural looking smile.   

 

DENTAL CROWN LENGTHENING PROCEDURES

Aesthetic Crown Lengthening

For some people, their teeth appear too short. This may be due to the gum, or the underlying bone and gum, covering too much of the crown of the tooth.  This results in a gummy smile.  To correct this, we can perform a crown lengthening procedure.  During this procedure, excess gum and, if necessary, underlying bone is removed and the tissues sculpted to expose more of the tooth.  This can be performed on a single tooth or multiples of teeth to create a more natural smile.

Functional Crown Lengthening

Sometimes a tooth or teeth can be so severely worn or broken down that there is insufficient tooth tissue to build a new crown without encroaching upon what we periodontists call the biologic width.  The biologic width is the width of soft tissue between the top of the bone supporting the tooth and the edge of the gum that is attached to the tooth.  This creates a natural seal against infection and cannot be compromised such as by placing the margin of a crown or filling into this soft tissue barrier.  Crown lengthening adjusts the surrounding gum and bone level to allow sufficient space between the crown or filling margin and underlying bone and to give your dentist sufficient tooth tissue to support a new crown.  Failure to do this may result in infection and progressive bone loss around the tooth.

 

GUM GRAFT SURGERY

Trauma, microtrauma from tooth brushing or periodontal disease can all contribute to gum or gingival recession where the root of the teeth become exposed.  Gum graft surgery can help to repair the defect and with refined tooth brushing techniques help to minimise further recession and bone loss.

During these procedures, gingival tissue is taken from a donor site, often your palate, and used to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one or more teeth.  These procedures contribute to improved gingival symmetry creating a beautiful new smile, improved periodontal health and reduced tooth sensitivity all of which are key to speaking and smiling with confidence.

 

REGENERATIVE PROCEDURES

These procedures aim to regenerate new support – gum and bone – that has been lost due to periodontal disease or trauma.

During these procedures, the gum is gently lifted and the teeth roots cleaned of bacteria and debris.   Any bony defects may be filled with bone graft material and /or hard and soft tissue stimulating proteins and the defects covered with a resorbable collagen membrane.  The bone graft and proteins encourage your body’s natural ability to form new bone and soft tissue and the membranes used to exclude the gum from growing back into the defect before new bone can grow.  

With refined oral hygiene techniques and regular maintenance visits to our practice these procedures will increase the chance of you maintaining your teeth and reduce the progression of periodontal disease over your lifetime.

 

  • During the last thirty years I have had a number of dental professionals both here and overseas and can only think of one other who comes even close to the standard of treatment I have had from Doug and his outstanding long term and loyal team. During these past five years I have found Doug to be someone I can trust unconditionally, both as a person and as a professional.

    I have been entirely satisfied with all aspects of my dental care. Doug actually listens to my concerns and perspective, and gives thoughtful consideration and feedback whereas in the past I often felt the communication was, as of course in dental care it usually is, entirely one-sided.

    Doug's demeanour is understated and unassuming, for very good reason. He has a great sense of quiet confidence, I expect due to the knowledge that he provides unrivalled dental care.
    - R Statham - Auckland
  • As a person who dreads going to the dentist I was very nervous about having to see a Periodontist and what it all entailed. However, when I first met Dawn she immediately put me at ease with her warm, friendly personality. Before treatment started she explained everything and ensured that I had all the relevant facts. She ensured that I was comfortable during all stages of treatment, never rushing anything and constantly asking if I was OK. I have now been a patient of Dawn for 7 years and can highly recommend her professional skills as well as her lovely personality.
    - Anonymous
  • With two operations, one including a bone graft to replace diminished bone from 30 years of wearing a partial denture I was more than a little nervous. Doug and his team were absolutely fantastic, great to deal with, highly professional and very skilled. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a team that will leave you feeling like you have made the best choice.
    - S. Cuttriss
  • WHY I go to Doug Waters: Free easy parking round the back to the warm reception from Jacky and the others who really run the outfit; the waiting room with the day’s Herald newspaper and the book "History and Creation of Gary Larsen’s THE FAR SIDE “ cartoons; the Television set on the roof of the surgery with excellent programmes to “distract” you from what might be happening elsewhere: the email and text reminders that someone is looking forward to seeing me: Engineering is my field and Doug is like an engineer with such special skills: ( I now refuse injections ) Doug and his nurse make the time spent there time not squandered. As one ages we need people like Doug for our “Warrant of Fitness" I totally recommend this practice.
    - Nickki
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