Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal plastic surgery is used to aid gums in restoration and function along with the supporting bone and ligaments. Although many people see this service as optional, its true goal is to extend the life of teeth that are affected due to periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease

When gums attached to the teeth is not normal, and bone changes are seen through x-ray, periodontal disease is a common diagnosis. To determine how extensive it is, Dr. French looks at what are essentially pockets between your tooth and the gum line to see how deep it runs.

Treatment

Behaviors greatly affect your dental health, and this is no exception. Smoking cessation along with other behavioral changes can be suggested to help treat this disease, such as a more in-depth dental hygiene routine. Removing the tartar build up, or calcified plaque are very promising for most cases and can be beneficial to help prevent periodontal disease, as well as treat it. As a last resort, surgery is suggested. Severe enough cases will require this as a means of removing and repairing gum material so that all tissues can regenerate and sufficiently support teeth. By removing the badly affected areas and cleaning out all pockets, the gum can reattach to the proper areas and allow teeth the root protection required to sustain their extended life.

Procedures

For an uneven gum line that shows too much of some teeth and not enough of others, lengthening of crowns can create the perfect gum line on all teeth. For longer teeth that have roots exposed, a gum graft can be completed. This can be done with manmade materials, or from taking a graft from the upper palate to help regeneration take less time. If you have lost teeth or indentions of the jaw and gums, a ridge augmentation can help restore a natural looking contour so that a new replacement tooth looks more natural when placed.