Procedures
Perio to Improve Your Smile
If has been said that if the teeth are the actors than the gums are the stage and scenery. The most beautiful teeth don't look so beautiful if they are not framed properly by the gums. Dr. Scharf has the training, expertise and experience to make the gums frame the teeth beautifully. Sometimes this requires that excess gum tissue be reduces, and sometimes it means adding gum tissue to areas that are deficient.
Reducing Excess Tissue To Correct A Gummy Smile
Too much gum tissue makes the teeth look short and square. Many people do not like the appearance of a too “gummy” smile. Crown lengthening is the name of the procedure that reduces excess gum tissue. Many times this can be done with the laser rather than a scalpel.
Here are some crown lengthening cases treated by Dr. Scharf:
Crown Lengthening and Gingival Reshaping
This patient wanted to improve her smile. Her Gums detracted from the appearance of the teeth. The teeth themselves were irregular in appearance. Fixing only the gums or the teeth would not provide the esthetic enhancement the patient desired.
The gums were reshaped to eliminate excessive tissue. they now frame the teeth beautifully and are in harmony with the patient's lip line. the teeth received porcelain laminates and crowns to give them a more uniform appearance. This patient is no longer embarrassed to smile. She wishes she had fixed this problem years earlier.
Crown Lengthening to Improve a "Gummy Smile"
This patient was unhappy with her smile because she showed too much gum tissue between the top of her tooth and her upper lip. This excess gingiva is not attached to the tooth. Bacteria can collect causing disease.
Crown Lengthening was done to achieve a greater balance between the teeth, the gums and the lip. the health and esthetic problems are corrected.
Crown Lengthening and Gingival Reshaping
The left central incisor was scheduled to receive a new crown. The gum line on this tooth was not even with the adjacent tooth.
Crown lengthening and gingival reshaping was used to even out the gum line between the two front teeth. A new crown was placed as well. the result is a completely natural appearance. It is impossible to tell which is the real tooth and which is the crown.
The results are instantaneous with crown lengthening. Patients leave the office with their new smile. Most people comment that they with they had taken care of this years earlier. On follow up most people comment that they never realized how self conscious they were of their gummy smile until it was not longer there and they could smile confidently and not use their hand to hide their smile.
Adding Gum Tissue To Shorten Long Teeth Or Correct Recession
Everyone remembers Dracula for his fangs. For many people with gum recession being “long in the tooth” is not something they feel comfortable with. Gum grafts can be used to correct receding gums and restore a youthful smile. Dr. Scharf is something of an expert at gum grafting on Long Island. He has lectures internationally on this topic and brings his expertise home locally to correct receding gums on Long Island.
These are some gingival grafting cases (gum grafting cases) treated by Dr. Scharf to restore a youthful smile:
Gingival Grafting for Root Coverage
This patient had gum recession. The roots were exposed and sensitive to cold. She hated her "fang" tooth and didn't like to smile because her teeth were so long. A gum tissue graft was done to cover the exposed roots. the natural form and function of the gum has been restored. the patient feels great about her smile for the first time in years.
Gingival Grafting to Rejuvenate Crowns
This patient was disappointed when her gums receded after new crowns were placed. The black gum line detracted from an otherwise esthetic smile.
Connective tissue grafting restored a natural looking smile.