Periodontal Plastic Surgery

Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, Dr. Yamaoka or Dr. Park would work in combination with your general dentist to improve the appearance of your gums and teeth.

Gummy Smile or Uneven Gum Line

Do you feel your teeth look too short, your smile is too gummy or your gums cover too much of your teeth? If so, esthetic crown lengthening might be the solution for you. During this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed to expose the natural enamel and true shape of the teeth.

Long Teeth/Exposed Roots

Gum recession causes the root of the tooth to become exposed, which makes your teeth look yellow close to the gum line as well as sensitive to hot and cold. This can happen as a result of a variety of causes, including periodontal diseases. A gingival graft is designed to cover exposed roots, reduce the risk of further gum recession and protect vulnerable roots from decay.

Indentations in the Gums and Jawbone

Tooth loss can cause an indentation in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it is no longer holding a tooth in place. Ridge augmentation can fill in this defect by recapturing the natural contour of the gums and jaw. The implant crown or bridge can then be created that is natural looking and easy to clean. This can be achieved with either gum tissue transplantation or bone grafting depending on whether the space is to be filled with a bridge or more ideally, a dental implant.