Cosmetic Periodontics – Dallas, TX
Reshaping Your Smile
What comes to mind when you think of ways to improve your smile? You might consider whitening as a way to get rid of stains or veneers to cover unsightly chips or cracks. But sometimes, the problem isn’t with your teeth, but rather your gums. Sometimes reshaping the gum line can significantly improve your smile, and here at Central Perio, Dr. Tunnell offers a few different ways to make such changes. Call us today if you’re interested in a smile makeover that makes use of one of our options for cosmetic periodontics in Dallas, TX.
Why Choose Central Perio for Cosmetic Periodontics?
- State of the Art Periodontal Technology
- Highly Trained, Experienced Periodontist
- Focus on Minimally Invasive Treatments
Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
Cosmetic periodontal surgery can refer to a variety of treatments meant to improve the appearance of your smile in different ways. This can include esthetic crown lengthening to expose more of your natural teeth so that they don’t appear too short in comparison to the gums, or it may include gum grafting to cover up a tooth that looks overly long. We’ll go over all of your options for cosmetic surgery so that you understand what kind of changes we can make and what treatment may be best for you.
Periodontal Plastic Surgery
If you’re not sure how you could benefit from periodontal plastic surgery, take a look at your smile in the mirror. Does it seem like there’s an excessive amount of gum visible when you pull back your lips to show your teeth? Are the roots of your teeth exposed, making them look longer than they should? These issues can make you feel reluctant about showing off your grin, but we can correct them with periodontal plastic surgery.
Gum Grafting
A gum graft is a procedure where soft tissue is taken from another area in your oral cavity (typically the roof of your mouth) and placed on the teeth where gum tissue has been lost or is otherwise inadequate. This procedure is often done to protect tooth roots that have become exposed due to gum recession, but it can also be used as a cosmetic procedure to even out the gum line and make sure that the teeth appear to be proportional to the soft tissues in your mouth.
Esthetic Gingival Recontouring
Gingival recontouring (sometimes called gum recontouring) is the process of adjusting the shape and length of the gums. It’s often performed to correct a gummy smile that makes all of your teeth look particularly short. It may also be done on a specific area of your smile because one tooth appears to be lopsided compared to its neighbors. The goal is to give the gumline a more natural and even appearance so that it properly frames the teeth.
Esthetic Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is the process of removing gum tissue to expose the parts of the tooth that are currently covered up. While this is often done to make room for a crown or another type of restoration, it can also be done to adjust the visible length of a particular tooth. If one tooth looks shorter than its neighbors, it can draw unwanted attention; we encourage you to call our periodontal office so that we can look at the area that’s bothering you and determine if crown lengthening can help.
Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT)
Many people want to straighten their teeth, but they are a bit hesitant to commit to a years-long course of orthodontic treatment. Surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy may be an option for such individuals. It involves carefully modifying the jawbone in a way that can speed up tooth movements while you are using braces or clear aligners. It may reduce treatment time by 50% or more!
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Periodontics
Many patients worry about the cost of cosmetic dentistry since it's often not covered by insurance. Rest assured, Central Perio is here to help you navigate your needs and find the best solutions for your situation. With a range of cosmetic periodontic services offered at different price points, we ensure that achieving the confidence you deserve is both accessible and priceless. Our team will gladly assist you in making informed decisions about your smile.
What Cosmetic Periodontic Service is Right for Me?
Determining which cosmetic periodontic service is right for you depends on your specific dental needs and aesthetic goals. Here's a brief overview of the services we offer to help you make an informed decision:
- Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery – This encompasses various procedures aimed at improving the appearance of your gums and teeth. It is ideal for patients seeking comprehensive enhancements.
- Periodontal Plastic Surgery – This type of surgery focuses on the reconstruction and enhancement of gum tissue. It's perfect for addressing gum recession or other issues impacting your smile's appearance.
- Gum Grafting – If you have significant gum recession, gum grafting can restore the gum line, protect the tooth roots, and improve the aesthetics of your smile. This procedure involves transplanting healthy gum tissue to the affected area.
- Esthetic Gingival Recontouring – For those with uneven gum lines or excessive gum tissue, gingival recontouring reshapes the gums to create a more balanced and attractive appearance.
- Esthetic Crown Lengthening – If you have a “gummy” smile or teeth that appear too short, esthetic crown lengthening can expose more of your natural tooth structure. This procedure can make your teeth look longer and more proportionate.
- Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT) – This advanced procedure combines periodontal surgery with orthodontics to accelerate tooth movement and improve overall dental alignment. It's ideal for patients seeking quicker results from their orthodontic treatment.
Each of these services offers unique benefits tailored to different dental issues. A consultation with our periodontist will help determine which procedure aligns best with your goals, ensuring you achieve the beautiful, confident smile you deserve.
Cosmetic Periodontics Can Be an Investment Worth Making
Cosmetic periodontics can feel like a significant financial commitment, but it’s truly an investment in your future. For those who feel self-conscious about their smile, these procedures can lead to a remarkable boost in confidence and self-esteem. This newfound confidence often translates into better relationships, enhanced social life, professional success, and an overall improved quality of life. Investing in your smile is investing in yourself!
How to Make Cosmetic Periodontics Affordable
At Central Perio, we believe everyone deserves a confident smile. While purely aesthetic dental care is not typically covered by dental insurance, our team can help you apply for third-party financing through CareCredit to make our cosmetic periodontic services affordable. With this option, you can split up the total cost of your care into smaller monthly installments, ensuring you stay within your budget.
Cosmetic Periodontics FAQs
Is Cosmetic Periodontal Treatment Expensive?
The cost of cosmetic periodontal treatment depends on the details of your treatment plan. For example, gum contouring may have a different cost than a gum graft or crown lengthening. During your consultation, our team can share some numbers with you. We will also be happy to help you explore your payment options, such as financing.
Although cosmetic periodontal services might seem pricey, most patients would consider them well worth the investment!
Is Cosmetic Periodontal Treatment Safe?
Like any type of surgery, cosmetic periodontal treatments come with a small degree of risk. In rare cases, infections or other complications occur. Overall, though, periodontal procedures are considered to be quite safe.
Our team takes patient safety very seriously, and we do everything we can to keep you safe! For example, we employ strict infection control measures. We also thoroughly screen patients prior to their procedures so we are well aware of factors that might increase the risk of complications.
Does Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery Hurt?
We use local anesthesia and, in some cases, sedation, to make patients as comfortable as possible during treatment. You are unlikely to feel much of anything during your appointment.
After the anesthesia and sedation wear off, you may experience some swelling, soreness, and tenderness. We will provide detailed post-op instructions to make your recovery as easy as possible. For example, you might need to avoid crunchy, hard, and hot foods for a while. You might also need to take certain medications to control discomfort.
If you experience any severe or unusual pain after your surgery, call us right away for assistance.
Is Cosmetic Periodontal Treatment Worth It?
Whether or not cosmetic periodontal treatment is “worth it” is a personal determination. Many patients would say that these treatments are worthwhile because:
- You may enjoy increased confidence and an elevated quality of life.
- A more confident and attractive smile can often open doors to career opportunities and meaningful social interactions.
- Very often, the results of cosmetic periodontics are permanent.
- Cosmetic periodontics can open the way for additional cosmetic treatments, such as veneers.
If you would like to learn how cosmetic periodontics might be able to benefit you personally, our team would be happy to answer your questions.