Cosmetic Enhancements

When most people think of cosmetic surgery, they tend to focus on the cheeks, eyes, nose or body. But there are some physical enhancements that a cosmetic surgeon cannot make — those having to do with your teeth. As more people seek to improve their appearance through surgery, cosmetic dentistry and periodontology are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, a poll conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology found that cosmetic dental procedures outnumbered eyelid surgeries five to one.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry cites a recent study in which participants were shown pictures of people before and after receiving dental cosmetic enhancements. The people with improved smiles were rated not only as more attractive but also as more popular, successful, sensitive and friendly.

If you are interested in transforming your smile, we can help in a variety of ways. The following are some of the most common cosmetic issues that Dr. Linda King and her team can correct:

EXPOSED ROOTS
Gum recession can be caused by gum disease, brushing too hard, grinding or clenching of teeth, age, or genetics. Whatever the cause, receding gums lead to exposed tooth roots, resulting in teeth that appear longer than natural. Exposed roots make your teeth more vulnerable to decay or sensitivity, as well as more serious problems, such as bone loss. To treat exposed roots, our dentist can perform a soft-tissue graft, or gum graft, in Locust Grove, Georgia. During this procedure, our dentist will remove small amounts of tissue from the top of your mouth or another source and graft them into the areas where your gums have receded. In the end, your dental roots are covered and your gumline is restored to its original, healthy state. A gum graft can protect your teeth and gums from further damage.

GUM INDENTATIONS
If a tooth is extracted or falls out, your gums can develop an indentation where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone loses the support and stimulation provided by the tooth; this means that that specific portion of the jawbone is not being used, and it begins to disintegrate. While it is important to restore missing teeth to uphold the appearance of your smile, it is necessary that your jawbone has sufficient strength to function properly. When there is a gum indentation from a missing tooth, our dentist may recommend a ridge augmentation to restore the original curvature of your dental arches. In most cases, this procedure involves a bone graft before restoring teeth with dental implants.

GUMMY OR CROOKED SMILE
Sometimes, your gums can come down over the tooth and result in what is known as a “gummy” smile. This excess of gum can be a result of gum disease, genetics or other factors, and it can cause your teeth to appear shorter or crooked. To fix a gummy smile, our dentist can perform a gum lift, which is also known as crown lengthening. During this procedure, our dentist will remove any excess gums to give you a more natural gumline and beautiful smile.

MISSING TEETH
In addition to causing unsightly gaps in your smile, missing teeth can cause several oral health problems. As one treatment option to replace your missing teeth, our dentist can use dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent replacement tooth that is surgically placed into the jawbone, thus replacing both the tooth’s roots and crown. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.

If you have any questions or concerns about our cosmetic enhancements in Locust Grove, Georgia, we invite you to contact our office at 770-285-2864. Our dentist and team can answer your questions and help you know what treatments are best for your smile.