Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is a crucial aspect of maintaining optimal oral health, particularly for individuals with a history of periodontal (gum) disease. It involves regular and thorough cleaning and monitoring of the gums and supporting structures to prevent the recurrence or progression of gum disease after initial treatment. This includes scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) or periodontal surgery.

Scaling and Root Planning

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical periodontal therapy designed to treat gum disease and restore the health of your gums. During scaling, our dentist will carefully remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from above and below the gumline, effectively eliminating the sources of inflammation and infection. Root planing, on the other hand, smoothes out the tooth roots, eliminating rough surfaces where bacteria can easily accumulate, and promoting the reattachment of the gums to the teeth.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a surgical dental procedure that involves reshaping the gumline and sometimes removing a small portion of bone to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This procedure is often performed for functional or cosmetic reasons. Functionally, crown lengthening can be necessary when a tooth is decayed or fractured below the gumline, and additional tooth structure needs to be exposed for effective restorative work, such as placing a crown. Cosmetically, crown lengthening can be done to enhance the appearance of your smile by creating a more balanced and proportionate gumline, particularly if you have a “gummy” smile.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used to augment or regenerate bone tissue in the jaw. This technique is crucial in various dental and oral surgery situations. One common application is in preparing the jawbone for dental implants when the existing bone structure is insufficient to support the implant securely. In such cases, a small amount of bone material is placed at the implant site to promote new bone growth and create a stable foundation for the implant.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is aimed at restoring and augmenting gum tissue. This procedure is often used to treat receding gums caused by factors such as gum disease, aggressive brushing, or genetics. During the grafting process, a small piece of gum tissue is taken from one area of your mouth, typically the roof of the mouth (palate), and carefully placed in the area where the gum has receded. The graft serves to cover exposed tooth roots, restore a more natural gumline, reduce sensitivity, and protect vulnerable tooth surfaces