There are dental procedures performed to preserve the health of your teeth and gums, and then there are those undertaken to improve the appearance of your smile. Both are extremely important to the well-being and confidence of an individual, but which are which?

Over the course of this blog post, we will outline some of the more common cosmetic periodontal procedures available to you through Dr. Suzanne Caudry and her wonderful team.

Get ready to read about soft tissue grafting, crown lengthening, cosmetic bone grafting, and much more!

Be sure to get in touch with any questions or comments you have over the course of your reading. We always love hearing from the people in our community.

What Is Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery?

Everyone wants a wonderful smile, but not everyone has a smile that reflects their personality and inner beauty. Others might have sought-after smiles, but there are just one or two things they'd like to do to improve the appearance of the teeth or gums.

In instances such as these, individuals may begin to research cosmetic periodontists in their area. Maybe they've heard about cosmetic dentistry through friends or colleagues, or maybe they've read some of the glowing testimonials available on the internet.

What can an average cosmetic periodontist do for you? A cosmetic periodontal surgeon performs surgeries that correct issues related to:

  • Uneven gum lines
  • Transparent or thin gums
  • Missing or damaged teeth
  • “Toothy” smiles
  • Tooth discoloration
  • And more

Are you living with any of these smile-hindering issues? If so, a cosmetic periodontist might be the person to call.

Do I Need a Referral?

Most periodontists do not require patients to get a referral from their dentist. For a consultation with Dr. Caudry, all you have to do is contact our offices. In little time at all, our amazing administrative staff will schedule a consultation at a time that suits your schedule. Here, we are all about convenience and accommodation!

Three Types of Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

When it comes to your teeth and gums, there are three primary types of cosmetic surgery you can explore with a periodontist. These are:

  • Cosmetic crown lengthening
  • Gum grafting
  • Bone grafting

Through these avenues, you can completely reinvent-or restore your smile-in ways you never thought possible.

All About Dental Crown Lengthening

Do you find yourself feeling self-conscious about how much gum you show when you smile? Do you ever feel like your teeth just seem proportionally smaller than they should? If so, dental crown lengthening might be the procedure for you.

Dental crown lengthening involves the subtle reshaping of your teeth to create a smile that suits you perfectly. Crown lengthening is all about creating that perfect tooth-to-gum ratio and eliminating the “gummy” look that makes many feel self-conscious.

What does the crown lengthening procedure entail? During the procedure, your periodontist adjusts the level of gum tissue and gum that surrounds the tooth. They do so with the intention of creating the ideal gum-to-tooth relationship. In some cases, your periodontist may even perform a crown lengthening procedure when they need to give an existing tooth a crown.

Adjusting the gum line will do more than improve the appearance of your smile. By increasing the amount of visible tooth, your dental hygienist will have an easier time cleaning your teeth. The areas where plaque used to hide below the gum line will now be completely visible, reducing the risk of buildup and infection.

Crown Lengthening: What to Expect

Are you wary of visits to the dentist's chair? Do you get anxiety every time you visit an oral surgeon? You are not alone. Thankfully, the crown lengthening procedure is swift, taking as little time as one hour. You'll be ready to return home in little time at all.

Prior to the lengthening procedure, we will also sit down with you to plan the procedure out from start to finish. During these planning sessions, we'll demystify the entire surgical process. Before long, your worries will completely disappear. We also invite our patients to ask as many questions as they wish.

Gum Grafting with Dr. Caudry

Not everyone who comes to us wishes to make their teeth appear larger. There are those who wish to restore their receding gums, as well. At our facilities, we perform gum grafting procedures on a regular basis.

We undertake gum grafting (also known as soft tissue grafting) procedures to cover the exposed roots of teeth. Gums sometimes leave these roots exposed because of gum recession.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession can occur as a result of oral health issues, poor dental hygiene, grinding, or braces. Some gums may even recess because of improper brushing techniques. While many people might think of tooth brushing as a relatively straightforward task, there are lots of people who brush their teeth incorrectly. Improper brushing is never good for the teeth or gums.

With the help of a gum graft, we can recover those exposed roots. The surgically grafted tissue will restore equilibrium to the gum-to-tooth ratio, making your teeth seem proportional to your smile.

Bone Grafting

When you lose a tooth, the gum and bones that typically support the tooth weaken over time. This loss of bone in the gums can lead to noticeable indentations in the jaw and impede the placement of future dental implants. For those who wish to restore tissue and bone to their jaw, bone grafting is the safe route towards success.

Through bone grafting, you can stop bone loss in its tracks and lay the foundation for healthy tissue growth. With new bone and tissue in place, you can freely undergo dental implant procedures without worry, as well.

Learn More About Periodontics

If you have questions about your oral health, why not book a consultation with Dr. Caudry and her incredible staff? You don't even need a referral!

Restore your smile to its former glory. Call our offices at (416) 928-3444 today. We cannot wait to hear from you.