Are you unhappy with the appearance of your smile? Dr. J. Brent Bartruff is an experienced periodontist offering cosmetic dentistry in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Cosmetic dentistry, or periodontal plastic surgery, will not only enhance the appearance of your smile, but will also improve the overall health of your mouth.
Functional crown lengthening is a procedure that is often necessary to perform prior to a cosmetic or restorative procedure. This type of crown lengthening creates a solid foundation for a high quality restoration.
Call our office to schedule a cosmetic examination today. Get the confidence you deserve with a beautiful smile!
Periodontal plastic surgery refers specifically to procedures that change or enhance the appearance of the gums. Crown lengthening is also called gum reduction surgery, and is often recommended in patients who have excessive gum tissue. Periodontal plastic surgery can be either esthetic or functional crown lengthening.
Functional crown lengthening is used in cases where the tooth is severely decayed, broken below the gum line, or has some other deficiency prohibiting the placement of a restoration. Cosmetic and restorative procedures require adequate structure for placement, and functional crown lengthening provides that structure when it is missing.
Dr. Bartruff may need to reduce the levels of bone and gum tissue during a functional crown lengthening procedure. He does this to expose more of the root surface of your tooth, allowing for a restoration. The procedure is not just trimming back the gum line. Dr. Bartruff will reshape the gum and supporting bone after trimming so that there is room for the restoration.
Similar to esthetic crown lengthening, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area. After the anesthetic is administered, Dr. Bartruff makes small incisions in order to remove the gum tissue and reshape the bone and tissue in the area. The incisions are sealed with sutures that can be removed one to two weeks later. The area will be completely healed and ready for the restoration piece in six to eight weeks.
If you want to improve the appearance of your smile and have excessive gum tissue, functional crown lengthening may be right for you. Call our office today to schedule a exam with Dr. Bartruff to understand your cosmetic dentistry needs in Fort Walton Beach, FL.