When the tooth can’t be saved, many periodontists can provide today\u2019s premier tooth-replacement system: the dental implant. Placed into the jawbone in a minor surgical procedure, these prosthetic teeth are natural-looking and fully functional tooth replacements that can last for the rest of your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Periodontists also offer a number of treatments that can improve the appearance of your smile and resolve some dental problems. <\/span>If you have gum recession, for example, periodontists can use gum graft surgery to cover the exposed roots of teeth with healthy gum tissue\u2014using either your own tissue or processed material from a donor. This can give you a better-looking smile, and may also reduce tooth sensitivity and protect against tooth decay in this area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dentists can use crown lengthening surgery as part of a tooth restoration procedure or to change the appearance of a “gummy” smile\u2014one where there seems to be too much gum and too little tooth. In this procedure, they reshape excess gum tissue to allow more of the natural tooth (or teeth) to show.<\/p>\n

When to See a Periodontist<\/span><\/h2>\n

Research has shown that effective brushing and flossing, along with regular professional teeth cleaning, helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. <\/span>But sometimes, even individuals who are very attentive to their oral hygiene can’t prevent gum disease from starting. When that occurs, it\u2019s time to see a periodontist. Your general dentist may recommend a visit to the gum specialist if he or she notices a problem\u2014but you don\u2019t usually need a referral to schedule a consultation. In addition, you can talk to a periodontist about improving the look of your smile with some periodontal plastic surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

While periodontal therapy may take many forms, it has the same goals: to restore diseased or damaged tissues to good health; to improve the appearance and function of every part of your smile; and to allow you to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Each person\u2019s smile is different\u2026 but every attractive smile has two things in common: A full set of pearly white teeth, and the right amount of healthy pink gum tissue to show them off. For the most part, your general dentist is the healthcare provider who takes care of your teeth\u2014checking for signs of a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":14310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,59],"tags":[114,337,250,392],"class_list":["post-14307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dental-practice","category-oral-health","tag-gum-disease","tag-periodontal-disease","tag-periodontics","tag-periodontist"],"yoast_head":"\n