People typically associate a cosmetic dentist with someone who deals exclusively in the appearance of teeth. To a large degree, this fact is true. The bulk of what we do focuses on the appearance and restoring a beautiful smile. To that end, our Palm Desert dental office performs a number of procedures that are incredibly effective in giving you back self-confidence; giving you a bright and radiant smile; and helping you achieve perfectly aligned teeth. Some of the procedures performed by a cosmetic dentist are ones that you are probably more familiar with. These procedures include teeth whitening, installation of dental veneers, shaping and sizing the teeth, giving you a dental crown to replace a lost tooth or a bridge to replace multiple, and even dental implants for a permanent solution to lost teeth. These are the bread and butter procedures that we perform, virtually, every day. There are several other procedures that are performed by a cosmetic dentist or a periodontist, which are not so commonly known but still have a significant role to play in making some patients smile brighter. Both of the procedures described below started out with medical applications, and still do have an important role to play in the health of your teeth, but now are also being used for cosmetic purposes.
As a cosmetic dentist, we also perform a procedure known as a gingivectomy, which can actually help to save your teeth from falling out. We know there is nothing more unsightly than missing teeth, and will work hard to protect you from that eventuality. A gingivectomy is performed on patients who have periodontitis. It is usually recommended when there is an imminent danger to the underlying bone which supports the teeth. However, we can also do the procedure for aesthetic reasons. Periodontitis causes the gums to become separated from the teeth, which in turn leads to deep pockets in the gums. Not only are these extremely unattractive but they become a petri dish for bacteria. The plaque, which cannot be easily removed from these deep pockets, builds up and leads to infections or worse. Left unchecked this can do permanent damage to the teeth, including causing them to fall out. The surgery is relatively easy. First the area around the site is injected with local anesthesia then, once the gums are sufficiently numb, the excess gum tissue, which is loose, is removed using a scalpel or a laser. After the procedure, we will often cover the gums with putty to protect the gums while they heal. As a cosmetic dentist in Palm Desert, we will also contour the gums to ensure that they do not lose shape during the procedure.
Another procedure that is often performed by a cosmetic dentist is gum reshaping or tissue contouring. Sometimes the gums are pulled back too far due to gum recession. The patient runs the risk of having their root exposed, and the teeth look too long, so the overall effect is not pleasant. Using gum reshaping, we can lengthen the gums so that they properly cover the teeth, restoring your smile and also covering your roots. The procedure is done in the clinic, in a matter of hours and is performed under local anesthesia.
As a cosmetic dentist, these are only two of the ways that we can improve the health and appearance of your gum tissue.
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