The gums and jawbone may need medical attention and treatment when faced with trauma, birth defects, and periodontitis. Common gum treatments include:
Crown lengthening (gum lift): Crown lengthening enhances the gum tissues and prepares the mouth for other medical procedures. Even more, crown lengthening corrects the exposure of excessive gum tissue. Crown lengthening exposes more of the teeth by molding the gum tissue.
Gum grafts: Aims to fix a crooked smile, or to rebuild the gum line in a symmetrical form after periodontitis has been treated. A strip of tissue is taken out of the palate and stitched in place over the recession site, which assist in re-molding the gum line.
Pocket reduction surgery: Also known as osseous surgery, the procedures involves the folding back of the gum tissue so that disease-causing bacteria may be removed from the pockets, and then the tissue is secured back into place. At times, irregular exteriors of impaired bone are leveled out to limit areas in which disease-causing bacteria can hide. As a result, the gum tissue reattaches to a clean, bacteria-free bone.
Sinus augmentation: Before dental implants are put into place, sinus augmentation must occur. The productivity of an implant depends on the patient’s jawbone to which it will be attached. A receded or injured jawbone can somewhat lift the sinus floor, allowing the formation of a new bine. A small incision is made into the bone and stitched shut; the implant is placed after the bone has healed completely.
Ridge modification: Ridge modifications are aimed to correct malformations in the jawbone that may have been caused by periodontitis, birth defects or trauma. During the procedure, the gum is flipped back to expose the damage on the bone, which is then filled with bone graft substance to close the opening. Once healed, the aesthetic appearance of the jaw is enhanced which allows the periodontist to successfully placed the implants wherever necessary.
Bone grafts: When implant anchors need to be placed in the jawbone, bone grafting becomes necessary. Grafting also assists the sinus floor, covers craters or irregularities in the jawbone. The material used to graft are taken from the lower jaw or synthetically created. Once the jaw is completely healed, the periodontist will undergo restorative treatments.
Please ask your dentist if you have questions or concerns regarding gum or jawbone corrective procedures.
DR HOSSEIN JAHANGIRI
General, Implant & Cosmetic Dentist, Clinical Director, SCFD & Portside Dentistry
