Most people see a cosmetic dentist if they have decided they want better-looking teeth or a brighter smile. This is because most of the public has become familiar with our profession, as the dentist who focus on the aesthetics of the teeth without only considering their functionality. We are interested in both beauty and function, but we are largely specialized around ensuring that you have the best and brightest smile you can. As such, our work revolves around the aesthetics of the mouth. There are a number of procedures that we perform on a daily basis in order to do so. These procedures are fairly well known and they include contouring and reshaping of teeth, attaching dental veneers, teeth whitening, replacing lost teeth with a dental crown, using bridges to replace multiple teeth, straightening teeth with braces, and teeth whitening. Apart from these there are a number of other procedures that we perform, which are not quite as well known since they are not used as frequently. The two described below were both created as procedures to address a medical needs of the mouth, and now are also being used to improve the aesthetics of your gums.
Your cosmetic dentist is one of the few who can help you if you have periodontitis, and your gums have become separated from your teeth. With the disease, after some time the gums do separate from the teeth which can cause deep pockets to appear. These not only alter your smile, and look ugly, but also are an excellent breeding ground for all kinds of oral bacteria. Plaque is extremely hard to clean in these deep pockets, and so there is a significant amount of buildup that occurs. The only way to stop this is to have the pockets removed, which can be done in our cosmetic dentist office. In a procedure known as a gingivectomy, we will inject local anesthesia around the site so that the gums are numb. Once the gums are numb, we will remove the excess loose gum tissue. We will also make sure to contour the gums, which can otherwise lose their shape during this procedure. Once the procedure is completed, we will cover the gums with putty to ensure that they have sufficient protection so that they can heal completely. We will also prescribe an antibiotic, both before and after the procedure, to ensure that there is no risk of any kind of infection stemming from the surgery itself.
Tissue sculpting, also known as gum reshaping is another procedure which is done in our cosmetic dentist office. Often time’s people find that their gums rest too high, or too low, on their teeth. This causes people to be unhappy with their smile which can appear to be too gummy or too toothy. Often gums can appear to be too high because of gum recession, and this procedure becomes necessary. The gums are contoured in the dentist office using lasers, radiosurgery, or traditional scalpel surgery. Typically this procedure is also done under local anesthesia. Both of these procedures can simultaneously improve the health and appearance of your gums and smile.