Unhealthy Gums
As a result of periodontal disease, a person
may have red, shiny, or
swollen gums.
If an individual has gingivitis or
periodontitis,
the
gums have to be periodontally treated prior
to cosmetic dental procedures.
"Gummy Smile"
Teeth that appear too short may be normal-sized teeth hiding under too much
gum. This can be the result of normal tooth development, or the use of certain
medications that may cause gums to overgrow. Either way, a crown lengthening
(see article "Crown Lengthening")
procedure can help reveal the normal tooth
structure.
Recession
If the teeth appear to be too long or if the root surfaces are exposed, it
may be due to receding gums (see article "Recession").
Soft tissue grafting (see article "Soft Tissue Grafts")
is very successful in correcting this
problem.
Uneven Gum Margins
If the gum margins appear to be higher on some teeth and lower on others,
this may be due to receding
gums, altered eruption, or gum defects that resulted
from tooth loss. The treatment of uneven gum margins may require crown
lengthening, soft tissue grafting, ridge augmentation (see article "Ridge
Augmentation"), or a combination of these procedures.
Gum Indentations
After a tooth is lost, the bone that encased it disintegrates and the gum
around it may collapse, creating an indentation where the tooth used to be.
Ridge augmentation procedures can help correct this problem.
Uneven Pigmentation
Changes in the color of the gums may be part of normal gum development, or
the result of scarring. Soft tissue grafts can predictably correct this problem.
Spaces In Between the Teeth
Periodontal disease can result in spaces in
between the teeth that may appear like black triangles. These spaces can be very
difficult to treat. They can be made less unattractive by a combination of
procedures that include orthodontics (braces), crowns (caps), and/or periodontal
(gum) surgery. The best way to avoid these spaces is to seek periodontal
treatment in its early stages.
Missing Teeth
One or more missing teeth can be predictably replaced with the aid of dental
implants. Dental implants can look and feel like natural teeth.
Changes in the appearance of the
gums can occur as a result of normal tooth
development,
periodontal disease, trauma, or tooth loss. By working with a
restorative dentist who has expertise in cosmetic dentistry and through the aid
of modern periodontal techniques, individuals can design a smile that is both aesthetic and youthful in appearance.
