There are a variety of reasons that you may need (or want) gum surgery, and with today’s innovations in dentistry, gum surgery is not a scary prospect. Gum surgery with the right dentist can mean a prompt return to oral health and a more comfortable, confident smile.
If you’re looking for gum surgery or if you suspect periodontal disease, we encourage you to get in touch with our gentle dental team to schedule an exam and chat with your Barrie, ON, dentist. Your dentist will determine whether gum surgery is the best option for you.
Gum Grafting Compared with Gum Contouring
Gum Grafting
Some patients require gum surgery to restore their oral health and save their teeth, typically because of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease means infections of the tissues surrounding your teeth. Without treatment, periodontal disease leads to tooth loss and may even result in systemic health complications like heart disease and stroke.
Gum grafting allows your Barrie, ON, dentist to restore gum health by relying on healthy tissue grafts borrowed from another source. Healthy tissue replaces compromised tissue to help you achieve a healthier smile.
Gum Contouring
Some patients opt for gum surgery to dramatically enhance the appearance of their smile. This is called gum contouring. Gum contouring is a way to adjust the gum-to-tooth ratio, which can correct gummy smiles and add length to short-looking teeth.
This process calls for Dr. Joo to gently remove gum tissue and sculpt your gums to appear less abundant in proportion to your teeth and more flattering.
Reasons Dentists May Recommend Gum Grafting or Gum Contouring
- Severe Gum Recession: Gum recession can indicate tooth pain, sensitivity, or even gum disease.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Gum grafting can eliminate or relieve tooth sensitivity by covering the exposed root.
- Advanced Periodontal Disease: Gum grafting is one of the treatments we use to restore gum health in advanced disease.
- Risk of Tooth Loss: Severe recession puts you at risk for gum disease and subsequent tooth loss. Gum grafting can help.
- A "Gummy" Smile: Gum contouring can correct a gummy smile, giving you a more radiant grin.
- "Short" Looking Teeth: Gum contouring is one way we make teeth appear longer. The other way is through crown lengthening.
- An Uneven Gum Line: An uneven gum line can make you hide your smile. Gum contouring can help.
- Proportion Concerns: Issues with the gum-to-tooth ratio are another reason some people hide their smile. Gum contouring can help.
Are You Considering Gum Surgery in Barrie, ON?
If you would like to schedule an exam with our dentist or if you have any questions about gum surgery, contact a member of our team today.
At Park Place Dental, we look forward to helping you achieve your best smile.
