The term ‘plastic’ in periodontal plastic surgery has been derived from the Greek word, ‘plastic’. In Greek, it refers to modeling or sculpting. It is a sub-field of dentistry that specializes in correcting or restoring the function and form of teeth.
Periodontal plastic surgery procedures are done to correct or prevent traumatic or plaque disease-induced issues of alveolar, bone, mucosa and gingiva. Along with that, this treatment is also done to correct the anatomical development of the mouth.
Typically, a periodontist is perceived as the plastic surgeon of the dentistry field. Just like a plastic surgeon can mold or fashion any feature/part of your body according to your liking, a periodontist can change the formation of your mouth as you like.
When Periodontal Plastic Surgery is used?
There are a number of procedures that surgeons use to help their patients get exactly what they want. Here are some of the most common issues that are solved by periodontal plastic surgery:
Also known as a gummy smile, the uneven gum line is a very common problem in the dental field. Have you ever felt insecure about the way your gums look when you smile? For instance, they might cover too much of a particular tooth while the rest look fine? If yes, you can get it corrected now with this procedure.
Excess gum tissues are carefully removed so that the crown of your tooth can be exposed more. After that gum line is sculpted so that you can smile with confidence.
The opposite of a gummy smile is having long teeth or exposed roots. In some cases, gum recession can make your tooth root more exposed than normal, making your tooth look longer. This makes you look older than you really are and therefore affects your confidence in the public. The recession can occur due to a number of reasons, including periodontal diseases.
With gum graft surgery, the long teeth issue can be resolved. The exposed roots are covered during the treatment, which reduces the gum recession. In the past 20 years, periodontal plastic surgery has advanced significantly.
It is used to regenerate or create damaged or lost gum tissue. By using connective tissue grafting techniques, your periodontal surgeon will ensure that the exposed root surfaces are covered evenly.
If you lose your tooth in an accident or as a result of dental issues, it will cause an indentation in the jawbone and gums. This happens because the jawbone is no longer the tooth it was holding earlier. The indentation looks unnatural every time you talk or laugh. To get rid of this issue, periodontal plastic surgery is done so that you can have a natural-looking smile and feel beautiful.
Individuals who are suffering from crucial or advanced diseases in the gums are usually recommended by dentists to get a periodontal surgery. If you are suffering from gum diseases, here are some of the symptoms you might have:
Preparation & Procedures
Before starting the periodontal plastic surgery, some preparations are done. Generally, this is how the procedure might look:
It needs to be noted here that procedures might differ slightly, depending upon the patient’s condition. Once the preparation has been completed, your periodontist will ask you to bring along a family member/friend who would accompany you once the procedure is completed. A number of surgical options are available, chosen by the periodontist depending on your specific condition. Here are some of the common ones:
Bone grafting
When a gum disease results in the damage of surrounding tooth root, the dentists might decide to replace it with a graft. In this procedure, a bone graft is built by taking small parts of either your bone, a synthetic bone or a donated bone. This procedure helps in encouraging natural bone regrowth and prevents any future tooth loss.
Flap surgery
This is one of the most common procedures. The surgeon will lift a section of tissue by making small cuts in the gum. After that, tartar and bacteria are removed from the tooth and under the gums. Once removed completely, gums are stitched back to help tissue fit perfectly around the tooth.
Soft tissue grafts
With soft tissue graft, dentists help patients in restoring some of the issues they have lost previously. A small piece of tissue is either removed from the roof of your mouth or donor tissue is taken to place it in the areas where tissues are missing.
Best Cosmetic Dentist NYC
If you are looking for the best cosmetic dentist in NYC or you are planning to get periodontal plastic surgery in NYC, our advice for you would be to make an appointment with ismile. With years of experience and a keen eye to understand the problems the patient is suffering from and advising the treatment that works best for them, the expert team of dentists at iSmile will ensure that you are satisfied with their medical advice and treatments.
Bottomline
Once you have gone through periodontal plastic surgery, it does not mean that taking care of your teeth or oral health is no longer a priority. It is a life-long commitment and you should always take care of your teeth.
If you are looking for the best cosmetic dentist in NY, feel free to get in touch with us and book an appointment. Do not take your oral health for granted. Cheers!