This phase of periodontal
treatment is necessary in patients, which do not respond to non-surgical periodontal treatment
and if access is needed to regenerate bone that was destroyed by the disease process.
Periodontal Flap Surgery
Under local anesthesia, a simple incision is made around the teeth to loosen the gum and allow for the reflection of the gum or flap to remove the residual calculus on the roots and infected gum tissue. The roots are thoroughly planed and in some cases, bony spurs formed during the disease process are reshaped to improve adaptation of the flap or gum tissue. In addition to local anesthesia, oral sedatives can be prescribed or intravenous sedation can be administered to ease your apprehension and make your experience more pleasant and comfortable.
Intravenous Sedation
Dr. Blume is certified to administer intravenous sedation to alleviate anxiety and therefore enhance your comfort level during any procedure. Versed® is typically the medication of choice, due to it's therapeutic effectiveness in alleviating anxiety while providing a degree of amnesia. Intravenous sedation requires that a patient have a friend or family member bring them to and from the office.
Bone Regeneration Procedures
These procedures can reverse some of the damage of periodontal disease by regenerating bone and are procedures that are routinely recommended by Dr. Ezis and Dr. Blume. If the bone has been destroyed around the tooth to create a "crater" or "trench," then various bone grafting materials, resorbable membranes and tissue stimulating proteins (Emdogain®) can be place to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and fill these "craters." Again, we will determine the appropriateness of these products in treating your condition.
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| Slower growing bone cells are replaced with faster growing gum tissue. | Membrane
blocks faster growing gum tissue and allows slower growing bone cells to regenerate the defect. |
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Crown Lengthening
Your dentist may have recommended crown lengthening to restore or save a broken, cracked or decayed tooth below the gumline. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to expose more of the tooth. We will work with your dentist to ensure the proper fit of your final restoration.
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Oral Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic or esthetic crown lengthening periodontal procedures are oral plastic surgical procedures and are available to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and improve the appearance or esthetics of your gumline. The "gummy smile" creates the illusion of having short teeth because they are covered with too much gum tissue.
Cosmetic or esthetic crown lengthening provided by Dr. Ezis and Dr. Blume removes this excess gum tissue to expose more of your natural tooth to create a natural, broad smile.
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Soft Tissue Grafts-"Gum Grafts"
Soft tissue grafts are available to stop further gum recession and/or improve the esthetics of your gumline. Exposed root surfaces are the result of gum recession caused by aggressive brushing or factors beyond your control. This may result in teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold liquids or food.
In addition, gum recession makes your teeth appear longer. Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue, which is absent due to excessive gingival recession. Typically, this procedure requires the removal of tissue from the roof of your mouth, or palate, and is transplanted or grafted to cover the exposed root. This approach creates two surgical wounds and usually the palatal wound is more painful than the tooth grafted. Also, a limited amount of palatal tissue can be harvested and only one or possibly two teeth can be grafted at each surgery.
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Click here for more successful cases and photos.
Dr. Ezis and Dr. Blume can provide another option to treat your gum recession and root exposure. AlloDerm® is an alternative product and has been used successfully in the office for many years. AlloDerm® is donated human tissue that must pass the same stringent screening criteria as any other implantable tissue or organ (heart, lungs etc.) Besides its use in dental applications, AlloDerm® tissue has been used extensively in burn reconstruction, plastic reconstruction and orthopedic surgery.
In its history exceeding ten years and 1 million procedures, there has never been a reported case of viral disease transmission from AlloDerm® tissue.
Most patients prefer using AlloDerm® for the following reasons:
- To avoid having a second surgical wound on the palate to harvest tissue.
- More than one or two teeth can be treated, in fact, the entire mouth can be grafted in two surgical appointments.
- At the time of surgery, AlloDerm® can be trimmed and fitted to meet your specific needs and this improves the long-term success of gingival grafting.
- When many teeth are involved, fewer appointments are needed and this can be a considerable time and financial benefit.
- The final grafting results are not compromised with the use
of AlloDerm® and are just as successful as using your own
tissue.
