Treaments and Services

• Treatment Methods
• Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
• Bruxism Treatments
• Scaling and Root Planning
• Bite Adjustment
• Osseous Surgery
• Gum Grafting
• Frenectomy
• Crown Lengthening
• Bone Grafting
• Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
• Sinus Augmentation
• Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
• Oral Cancer Exam
• TMJ Dysfunction
• Tooth Extraction
• Microbial Testing
• Local Antibiotic Treatment
• Periodontal Maintenance & Support Therapy
• Dental Implants

Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures

These procedures are a predictable way to improve your smile. There are several different problems which may occur and each problem requires different treatment techniques. Another way to think of these procedures is ’Plastic Surgery’ for your gum.

Treating a ’Gummy Smile’

If you are unhappy with the appearance of short, unsightly teeth or feel too much your gums are showing when you smile this can be greatly improved by a combination of periodontal procedures by Dr. Rubino and cosmetic dentistry by your dentist. Although your teeth appear short, they may actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with excessive gum tissue. This if often referred to as a ’Gummy Smile.’ Dr. Rubino can correct this by performing the periodontal plastic surgery procedure, esthetic crown lengthening. During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue are reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to more than one tooth, to even your gum line, and to create a beautiful, well-balanced smile.

Soft Tissue Graft

Cosmetic periodontal procedures may be done to cover unsightly, sensitive, or exposed root surfaces and to prevent future gum recession. Another cosmetic procedure is the soft tissue graft. It is used to cover unattractive tooth roots, reduce gum recession, and protect the roots from sensitivity, decay and eventual loss.

Tooth Socket & Ridge Preservation/Augmentation

Tooth loss causes the jawbone to recede and can lead to an unnatural looking indentation in your gums and jaw, and appearance of a general aging. The original look of your mouth may not be recaptured because of spaces remaining under and between replacement teeth. The replacement teeth may appear too long and unnatural compared to nearby teeth.

Careful management of extraction sockets after tooth removal prevents unsightly bone loss and a better cosmetic outcome of tooth replacement. Bone grafting following tooth loss can preserve the bony socket/ridge and minimize gum and bone collapse. It also allows for the future placement of dental implants by preserving bone contour and volume to allow for successful implant surgery. There is less shrinkage and a more aesthetic tooth replacement for either an implant crown or fixed bridge around the replacement teeth.

For more information about crown lengthening, gum grafting, and ridge augmentation/bone grafting, please refer to the treatment section of our web site, and click on each individual procedure for an in-depth description.