Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

What is cosmetic periodontal surgery?

Cosmetic periodontal surgery refers to a variety of procedures designed to reshape and contour your gums to achieve a balanced smile. These procedures help correct many aesthetic concerns, such as a gummy smile or severe gum recession.

What can cosmetic periodontal surgery treat?

There are three main cosmetic dental concerns that periodontal surgery can treat:

Gummy smile

If you have a gummy smile, you may feel like your smile is overwhelmed by your gums. This can make your teeth look short and small in comparison. Depending on the amount of excess gum tissue you have, Dr. Froum may use a scalpel or laser to remove it. Gum contouring helps to show your natural teeth and produce a symmetrical smile. It also allows restorations like dental crowns and veneers to look more natural against your gums.

Uneven gumline

Even if your teeth are perfectly straight, an uneven gumline can make them look crooked and misshapen. To give your smile a more symmetrical appearance, Dr. Froum offers gum contouring treatments, which reshape the gumline. Depending on your unique case, he may recommend laser therapy or traditional scalpel-based treatment to restore symmetry in your smile.

Receding gums

Healthy gum tissue protects your teeth from disease and is cosmetically important to ensure a naturally beautiful smile. When this tissue begins to pull back, further exposing your teeth, your teeth may look longer and older.

Dr. Froum treats cosmetic gum recession with gum graft surgery — a procedure that involves taking a small amount of tissue from one area of your mouth and applying it to your gums to create new tissue. This helps cover the parts of your teeth that are exposed due to gum recession.

What causes gum recession?

Gum recession is a telltale sign of gum disease — also known as periodontal disease. Before you cosmetically enhance your gums with a gum graft, it’s important to treat the underlying cause. If you have periodontal disease, Dr. Froum can remove and clean out the pockets of plaque and bacteria trapped underneath your gums prior to performing your cosmetic gum graft.

Other common causes of receding gums include:

• Overbrushing
  
• Age
  
• Tobacco use (smoking or chewing tobacco)
  
• Certain medications
  
• Genetics

If you’re ready for a gorgeous, symmetrical smile, call Stuart J. Froum, DDS, or schedule an appointment online today.