Dentures and Dating—What if they find out you’re wearing them?

When patients are told that dentures would be the best solution for their permanent tooth loss, they have a lot of questions. Some of them they ask us, but other questions are left unanswered because the patient is embarrassed to ask, like “What will happen if my date finds out these aren't my real teeth?” All it takes is one web search to confirm that this is a concern for denture wearers of all ages. This question or ones like it are being asked and commented on every day, so that’s why we decided to tackle it here.  Visit Anthem Periodontics' website for more informations about alternatives to dating with dentures!

What Is Ultrasonic Scaling?

It used to be that a visit to the dentist for a professional cleaning involved uncomfortable scraping of the teeth by a hand-held device with a hook on the end. Thanks to the advent of ultrasonic scaling technology, that same job is done using water and high-frequency vibrations.
To read more about Ultrasonic Scaling, please visit Anthem Periodontics and Dental Implants.

Subgingival Scaling—When an ordinary cleaning is not enough

One of the first weapons in the fight against periodontal diseases is subgingival scaling. When performed in conjunction with root scaling, it can halt the advance of gum disease before more serious measures are required.  Subgingival scaling cleans the tooth below the gum line by effectively removing plague, tartar, toxins and bacteria from the surface. Since this is a procedure that requires more expertise than a routine cleaning, it is best to have it performed by a periodontist.

Dr. DeAndrade will recommend scaling for patients with gingivitis or the early stages of periodontitis. Performed using a local anesthetic, the root surface is thoroughly cleaned with a dental scaling instrument. In more severe cases, an open procedure may be needed where a small flap is cut into the gums to make the area requiring treatment more accessible. By removing the plague and tartar that has accumulated deep into the gums, the patient is able to successfully maintain the results through regular brushing and flossing at home.

Following a subgingival scaling, you will see reduced redness and swelling of your gums, reattached gum pockets, less bleeding and decreased bone sensitivity. It also aids in the prevention of bone and tooth loss due to periodontal disease.

The key to good oral health is regularly scheduled dental cleanings and exams. Being able to catch conditions early will allow for more economical, minimally invasive procedures to correct issues as they arise. This, along with good home care, can save you from the complications of tooth and bone loss.  

Periodontal diseases do not only affect your gums and teeth, they can cause problems throughout the whole body. If you have been advised that you need more than a regular dental cleaning to protect the health of your mouth, call Anthem Periodontics to schedule a consultation before a small problem turns into a major procedure.

What Is A Gingivectomy?

If the gums don't have a close fit to the teeth, a tiny pocket will remain and mineral deposits will form over time.  Since cleaning plaque from these pockets is sometimes difficult, bacteria will invariably start to multiply in them. This will eventually lead to gingivitis, a bacterial inflammation of the gums. Unless the diseased tissue is removed and the pockets sealed, gingivitis will spread and worsen, causing periodontitis, infection of the structure that supports the teeth. Another reason for an intervention is to reduce oversized gums, which can make the teeth look too small and undermine confidence.
READ MORE...about gingivectomy at Anthem Periodontics And Dental Implants

About Gingivectomy

A Gingivectomy is a procedure that is sometimes performed when a patient’s teeth appear too short because of gums that seem too thick or large. Also called a ‘gummy smile’, this condition can be caused by certain medications (e.g. prescribed organ transplant, high blood pressure and anti-seizure medication), genetics, or swollen gums due to Gingivitis. A Gingivectomy is therefore performed to expose more of the tooth to make your gum line look nicer and natural and/or to expose more of your tooth structure as preparation for cosmetic surgery.

As the dental assistant I can tell you that swollen gums due to gum disease should not be left untreated. If you have gum problems due to Gingivitis, the reality is that you have an infection in your gums and that Gingivitis is just a milder form of Perionditis, a more serious situation that can lead to much bigger problems. With Gingivitis you might not even feel much discomfort; you will just notice that your gums are swollen and red, and they might bleed easily.

A Gingivectomy procedure can be done on just one tooth or a complete gum line. Gum tissue can sometimes cover a tooth or teeth that are of perfectly normal length, but are just hidden away under too much gum tissue. Wherever it is done in your mouth, it will definitely improve your smile if you are currently stuck with a smile that shows too little of your precious teeth or an uneven gum line!

A Gingivectomy can be done with laser or by using scalpels. The aim of both methods is the same though: to remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line. A Gingivectomy can take from a few minutes to longer than an hour, depending on your personal needs and reason(s) for having it done and you will usually receive a local anesthetic pre-procedure.

Generally there is little to no discomfort after the procedure either! You doctor will also send your home with a periodontal dressing on the area that was worked on. As a rule you will have to keep the dressing on for 7-10 days.

Healthy gums should show little points between teeth, causing the teeth to be well-supported and your smile to look awesome. And these are the things a Gingivectomy will give you!

Questions To Ask Before Any Periodontic Procedure

Before any periodontal procedure, it is important that you ask questions related to it so that you are aware of the different procedures followed. This can also enable you to gain knowledge about pre and post operative care.

You may be surprised to know that most people tend to ignore their oral health and do not pay any attention to the warning signs. This can have disastrous consequences making it difficult to treat the disease. If you are able to detect the early signs of a disease, it may become easy to treat it in an effective manner.

If the dentist suggest a periodontal procedure after examining the mouth it is best to ask questions about it so that you are aware of the various processes involved in it.

Common questions to ask before any periodontal procedure

• Why do I need periodontal procedure?

• What are deep cleaning, root planning and scaling?

• What do I need to expect after root planning and scaling appointment?

• Is surgery necessary after planning and scaling?

• What are the different types of periodontal surgeries?

• Is there an alternative to conventional surgery?

• Why do I need dental implants? Do I need single or multiple implants?

• What are the pre and postoperative care processes that need to be followed?

• What are the common warning signs of any gum or teeth disease?

• Do I need to see a dentist after a successful periodontal procedure?

You may be able to find answers to most of these questions on the websites of dentists. If you are unable to find an answer, you can ask the doctor who may be able to clarify all your doubts. All reputed doctors may be willing to clarify your doubts. Avoid those who do not provide proper answers to your questions.

If you value your oral health, it is important that you schedule an appointment with the periodontist so that you may be able to detect any problem at the earliest. Early detection of teeth and gum problems can help treat them in an effective manner. It is best to see a dentist at regular intervals if you are at high risk of getting a gum disease. Smokers and heavy drinkers are considered high risk and need to go for regular checkups.

Proper evaluation by the dentist is sometimes the only way to determine if you are suffering from any kind of dental problem. After evaluation, you may have to undergo tests if the periodontist finds any abnormal lumps or sores in the mouth. Based on the test results the treatment processes may vary. 

What Is A Gummy Smile?

So, why do some people have gummy smiles? Well; it could be caused by your gums covering more tooth area than it should, making your teeth look too short - or it could be caused by a high lip line, meaning that, when you smile, your upper lip pulls up higher than that of the average person.

Patients generally come to me as a periodontist to correct this for aesthetic reasons, but a good periodontist should also check if you have an improper bite. The reason for this is that, if your gummy smile is a result of how your teeth erupted and/or how your jawbone developed, these could impact on your long term oral health.

There are 3 different surgical procedures to correct a gummy smile, depending on the cause in your particular case. Once we have ascertained what caused your problem, you will only need a local anesthetic and you will not feel any pain during any of the procedures.

If you only have too much gum covering your crowns or teeth, a simple surgical sculpting procedure called gingivectomy or gingivoplasty will suffice. During this procedure I remove excess gum tissue and perhaps a little bone so that more tooth surface is exposed and the gum line is more even. It is a minimally invasive procedure so I will often place a periodontal dressing over the teeth and gums to protect them.

When it is evident that I will have to expose and remove some underlying tooth bone too, I will opt for flap surgery. This procedure will be chosen if your teeth are naturally short, are quite worn or the bone right under the top of the gums is thick. I will then cut the gum open, do what needs to be done, put some stitches in to ensure it heals perfectly and you will also need a periodontal dressing. This procedure involves a little more pain than with a gingivectomy.

If the cause of your gummy smile is a high lip line when you smile, I might suggest hypermobile lip surgery if I think it will help. Local anesthetic is used and I simply re-attach some gum tissue to your lip at a level closer to the teeth.

At Anthem Periodontics and Dental Implants, we will look at YOUR individual needs and only do those procedures necessary to give you a great smile!