Periodontal Treatments

Gum Recontouring

Gum Recontouring Treatments

Root Coverage (For Gum Recession)

Do you feel your smile is spoiled because your teeth look too long? Exposed roots, generally caused by receding gums, can make teeth appear too long and asymmetrical.

Your teeth may even start to feel sensitive to hot and cold foods or even sweet drinks. The root surface of teeth is softer than the crown and can be more susceptible to decay and being abraded away by your toothbrush.

Our root coverage procedure, called Soft Tissue Grafting, protects teeth and gives you a healthier, more attractive, symmetrical, and youthful smile.

Sample Case

Grant K. (Mucograft®) – Age 8

Chief Concern: An eight-year-old boy was referred by his pediatric dentist and orthodontist due to concerns with gum recession of his lower front teeth at such an early age. During discussions with his parents two alternative solutions were suggested, the use of autogenous tissue from his palate or using Mucograft,® a collagen material, from a box to treat this area. Mucograft has had extensive clinical studies and publications.

Treatment Received: Treatment with Mucograft was used to increase zones and thickness of the boy’s attached gum in the lower front area. The patient had no discomfort and the use of a palatal tissue donor site was avoided making post-operative healing uneventful.

Testimonial: “The procedure went smoothly, and recovery was quick and virtually painless! The results are remarkable, and I now have peace of mind knowing that my son’s adult teeth are protected. I’m especially impressed with the use of Mucograft, and I am glad that this was an option for my son. Dr. Fava and his staff are wonderful!”

Crown Lengthening (For Gum Reshaping)

Do you have what is known as a gummy smile where too much of your gums show when you smile? Do you feel your teeth look too short or unbalanced with the rest of your mouth and face?

Gum reshaping surgery, sometimes called Crown Lengthening, corrects the appearance of short teeth by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the naturally existing crown of the tooth.

Your teeth may not be “too short” at all; you may just have too much gum tissue covering your teeth and hiding a beautiful smile. In addition, gum reshaping surgery is sometimes used to correct deformities caused by gum disease.

Crown Lengthening provides some of the most dramatic and immediate results, restoring your sense of confidence and self-esteem when it comes to your appearance.

Pre-Orthodontic Periodontal Augmentation

Did you know that the human jaw is shrinking in size? It may sound like no big deal, but it is much more than just not having room for your third molars (wisdom teeth).

Since the actual tooth size hasn’t changed we end up with a discrepancy between the room needed to house the teeth and the bone there is to hold them.

Orthodontists need to “expand” the arch to treat crowded teeth. This leads to recession, as much as eight times more than in those who haven’t been treated with orthodontics.

But there is a silver lining: POPA, or Pre-Orthodontic Periodontal Augmentation. In one procedure, we can help to both quicken the orthodontic treatment time and prevent/treat the post-orthodontic recession.

This treatment needs to be coordinated with an orthodontist who is well educated on these treatment goals and philosophies.

Am I a Candidate for Gum Recontouring?

Gum recontouring covers two opposite problems: a gummy smile and receding gums. You may be a good fit if:

Your smile shows more gum than you'd like, or your teeth look short.
Your teeth look long because the roots are exposed.
Exposed roots feel sensitive to cold food or sweet drinks.
You or your child are starting braces and the gums are thin.

Your periodontist confirms at your consultation which of the two your smile needs, and whether it needs both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between crown lengthening and a gum graft?

They solve opposite problems. Crown lengthening removes extra gum tissue when your teeth look short or your smile shows too much gum. A soft tissue graft adds tissue when your gums have pulled back and your teeth look long because the roots are showing. Many patients aren't sure which one they need, and your periodontist sorts that out at your consultation.

Does a gum graft have to use tissue from the roof of my mouth?

Not always. Instead of tissue from your palate, we can use Mucograft®, a collagen material, to thicken and cover receding gums, which avoids a second surgical site and lets healing stay uneventful. One of our Mucograft patients was eight years old, and his parent described the recovery as quick and nearly painless. For recession, Dr. Fava's Pinhole technique is another option that needs no donor tissue.

Is gum recontouring only cosmetic?

No. Exposed roots are softer than the enamel-covered part of the tooth, so they wear down faster under a toothbrush and are more prone to decay. Many patients first notice the problem as a twinge from cold food or a sweet drink. Covering the root protects the tooth as well as the look of your smile, and crown lengthening can also correct gum deformities left behind by gum disease.

Should I see a periodontist before getting braces?

Often, yes, especially if your gums are thin and your teeth are crowded. Expanding a crowded arch during orthodontics can lead to gum recession, sometimes years after the braces come off. Pre-Orthodontic Periodontal Augmentation (POPA) strengthens the gums in a single procedure and can shorten orthodontic treatment time. We coordinate it with your orthodontist so both treatments work from the same plan.

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