Your Smile is More Than Just Your Teeth
Your gums are just as important as the health and appearance of your teeth. They’re the frame for your smile and when that frame isn’t quite right, your teeth may appear longer or shorter than you’d like.
Dr. Gabriel can change the appearance of your gums to give you the beautiful smile you deserve. Learn how soft tissue grafting or crown lengthening may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Soft Tissue Grafting
If your teeth appear longer than average, your gums may not cover enough of your teeth. This could be the natural shape of your gums or due to gum recession from periodontal issues. Gums don’t grow back, so the only way to add more gum tissue is to do it manually.
How Soft Tissue Grafting Works
To enhance your gums, Dr. Gabriel can take small pieces of tissue from the roof of your mouth or use graft material from a tissue bank. These pieces of tissue will be used to form your new gums. He’ll connect the new tissue to your existing gums and shape it to look natural.
After your procedure, you’ll be able to drive yourself home unless you opted for sedation. In that case, you’ll need someone else to drive. It’s vital for your recovery to take time to relax after your surgery and to follow the post-operative instructions given to you by Dr. Gabriel.
Are You a Candidate for Grafting?
Gum grafting may be the right choice for you, if:
- Your teeth appear long and this affects your self-confidence
- Your gums have receded from periodontal disease
- Your tooth roots have become exposed
- Your teeth are sensitive due to receded gums
- Your gums are currently healthy and you have no ongoing oral health issues
Gum grafts are a great way to restore the health and appearance of your gums. However, there are some people who may need to think twice about gums grafts. These include people with compromised immune systems, such as those with diabetes, and people who take blood-thinning medications.
Crown Lengthening
While gum grafts can shorten your teeth, crown lengthening solves the opposite problem. If your teeth appear short and you have a “gummy smile,” Dr. Gabriel can take away some of your gum tissue. This can normalize the shape of your teeth and give you the smile you’ve been hoping for.
The Crown Lengthening Procedure
Before the procedure, you’ll be given an anesthetic and you can also choose sedation for a more comfortable appointment. During the surgery, a small incision will be made in the area where your gums are too long. This incision will be used to reposition your gums and pull them down to create your new gumline contour.
If you were sedated for your procedure, you’ll need to make arrangements for someone else to drive you home. In the days following your crown lengthening, you may experience some discomfort as your gums recover. We advise you to rest so your body can focus on healing and so you can make sure you follow the post-operative care instructions well.
Who Qualifies for Crown Lengthening?
Dr. Gabriel may be able to lengthen your crowns for two reasons:
- You have a “gummy smile” and want a more aesthetically pleasing smile
- You need a restoration such as a dental crown or bridge and you don’t have enough tooth to support it
If you’re a candidate for crown lengthening, Dr. Gabriel will let you know. He’ll go over the specifics of your treatment and how it can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, soft tissue grafting isn’t painful during the procedure. Dr. Gabriel will give you an anesthetic to numb sensations in your mouth, but you can also choose to undergo sedation for a more comfortable experience.
After the procedure, you may experience some pain or discomfort as your body heals. This is normal and should go away as time passes. Make sure to follow the post-operative instructions Dr. Gabriel gives you to avoid complications and so you can heal quicker.
The fastest way to heal from your graft is to follow your post-operative instructions properly and take some time to rest after your treatment. Your aftercare is vital and prevents you from developing infections or complications after your surgery.
Dr. Gabriel also provides PRP therapy here in his office. PRP therapy is a revolutionary technique that helps patients to heal quicker from some surgeries by utilizing your body’s natural healing power.
Your crown lengthening procedure won’t be painful because you’ll be given an anesthetic. Sedation can also help the procedure pass by more quickly and be more comfortable for you.
After your procedure is finished, it’s normal to feel some pain and discomfort as your body heals. Pain and antibacterial medication may be prescribed to help you recover with more ease.
Crown lengthening is often worth it for people who wish for a more balanced-looking smile. A gummy smile isn’t necessarily an oral health risk, but it can affect your self-confidence. Smiles are often one of the first things people notice when meeting a new person, so it can make a big difference in your life.