TREATING GUMMY SMILE CAN GIVE YOU A STUNNING SMILE When the gums show too much above your top teeth, this is called a gummy smile. There is too much show of the gums and the teeth look excessively short or small. The dental term for this is excessive gingival display; you can see more than two millimeters of the upper gum during a full smile. Gummy smiles can make patients feel self-conscious or less attractive when smiling. The good news is that a gummy smile can be treated easily and effectively. Minimally invasive procedures such as aesthetic crown lengthening to remove excess gum, or lip repositioning can improve your smile. Then you can smile again with confidence. Did you know: About 10 – 15% of all people have a gummy or gingival smile? Interestingly, this condition is more common in women than men.

What is Bruxism: Bruxism is the medical term for unconscious teeth clenching and grinding, either while awake or asleep. Patients with bruxism can experience headache, earaches, facial pain, and even migraines. Bruxism damages the teeth leading to increased tooth sensitivity, flattening, chipping or fracture of the teeth and jaw joint (TMJ) problems. Patients who grind their teeth while asleep often wake up with a sore jaw. Chronic clenching can lead to hypertrophy of the masseter muscle (the muscle responsible for eating and clenching), giving the appearance of a wide face or square jaw. Treatment Options for Bruxism: Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Treatment of bruxism involves using dental devices such as a “nightguard” or bite block to prevent the teeth from contacting one another. These dental devices help prevent damage to the teeth but do not change the fact that patients are still physically clenching and grinding. In order to decrease the clenching, grinding and reduce the biting force exerted on the teeth, we have recently started using Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) to decrease the excessive muscle activity of the jaw. Botox treatment can provide pain relief and help prevent dental problems related to bruxism. It can also soften the appearance of the jaw line, help prevent damage to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and decrease TMJ associated headaches. The masseter muscle is injected with a small volume of Botox to decrease the overactivity of the muscle. This helps to normalize the clenching force of the jaw and relieve the bruxism. The effect of Botox lasts for approximately three to four months, after which the procedure can be repeated. Patients are often advised to continue use of their night guard, and both of these measures can provide effective relief.

Learn More: Medical technology has been advancing at a breakneck pace for the past several decades, and dentistry hasn’t been left behind. Dental professionals are constantly looking for the newest forms of treatments and technology that will aid in providing their patients with the best possible care, and we’re going to introduce you to some of the newest advancements that have been made. VELscope This technology employs a special form of light that our dentists use to detect dental abnormalities. VELscope is particularly effective in the detection of disease and cancer in its earliest stages as part of an oral screening. Digital X-Rays A common concern of patients is the amount of radiation they’re exposed to during a dental exam. The newest forms of imaging technology employ digital x-rays, which not only employs 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays but provides viewable films to the dental staff immediately. These images are able to be zoomed in on for highly accurate assessments of dental health. Invisalign For decades braces have been the go-to method of straightening misaligned teeth. While effective, braces are uncomfortable and unsightly. Invisalign is an innovation in this area of dental care that provides the benefits of braces while remaining nearly invisible. Additionally, Invisalign can be removed when eating, removing dietary restrictions associated with braces. Laser Dentistry Past techniques for whitening, reducing tooth sensitivity, tumor removal, and filling cavities have often been uncomfortable for the patient, and time-consuming. New innovations in laser technology have created painless alternatives that also aid in eliminating harmful bacteria. Dental Implants Traditional dentures are often ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and prone to embarrassing mishaps like slippage. Modern dental implants provide prosthetic teeth that are nearly indistinguishable from normal teeth and are long-lasting. HealOzone This innovation uses ozone (O3) to rapidly kill bacteria and fungus painlessly. It also makes a great tool for detecting tooth decay and suppressing it before it becomes more advanced. DIAGNOdent This cutting-edge technology is capable of detecting cavities in places that traditional x-ray techniques can’t locate. By employing DIAGNOdent your dentist ensures that no early signs of cavities go unnoticed, saving you time and money on future dental treatments. Intraoral Camera This tool employs a special camera that provides well-defined and precise images of places difficult to see in a patient’s mouth with traditional imaging. Just one more tool to aid your dentist in a thorough and accurate assessment of your dental condition. These are just some of the technologies that have been brought into common use in recent years in our dental offices. Every year we keep an eye out for new methods of treating our patient’s dental concerns by improving visibility, reducing discomfort, and aiding us in providing complete and thorough assessments. If you have any questions about the technology your dentist is using in your exams, don’t hesitate to ask! Curious patients are educated patients, and we love to encourage our patients to be knowledgeable about their dental care.

Learn More: Periodontists treat their patients with the most conservative measures possible, but sometimes surgery is necessary to facilitate oral health and aesthetics. Some of the reasons your periodontist may recommend gum surgery include: To restore gum tissues lost to periodontal disease. Also known as guided tissue regeneration, this procedure is often combined with bone grafting to help support the teeth. To cosmetically improve your gum line. Known as mucogingival surgery, this procedure grafts soft oral tissues into the gum line to fill in areas that have become recessed. The gum grafts conceal exposed tooth roots to allow for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. To prepare your teeth for dental restorations. The purpose of this type of gum surgery is to reveal more of the tooth’s root, effectively lengthening the crown of the tooth. Crown lengthening is reserved for patients who have decay below the gum line or have inadequate tooth structure to support a dental restoration. Did you know… That your jaw bone and gums should naturally hug the roots of each tooth, encircling the base of the crown to hold it in place? But when gum disease is allowed to progress, the gums can recede and begin to create ‘pockets’ around the teeth that will only become deeper with time. As bacteria proliferate in these pockets, patients experience further bone and tissue loss. Gum surgery is often the most conservative solution for patients with advanced gum disease – otherwise leaving the option of eventually having the teeth extracted. Frequently Asked Questions Am I a candidate for gum surgery? Gum surgery may be right for you if you need crown lengthening for a restoration, you want to cosmetically enhance your gum line, or you have 3mm or greater pockets around your teeth due to periodontal disease. To find out more about gum surgery and your options for treatment, schedule an appointment with your periodontist. What should I expect during a gum surgery? Gum surgery is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. Most patients feel no discomfort during the procedure, and you may be under mild sedation for its duration. Will I need to follow any special instructions following my gum surgery? Although the surgery itself should not be uncomfortable, you will experience sore and swollen gums in the days immediately following the procedure. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling in the hours after the treatment, and consume only a soft diet for the first few days after the procedure. Your periodontist may prescribe pain medication as well as antibiotics to ensure your recovery is free of complication. Be sure to keep the surgical site clean, and schedule a time to return to your periodontist’s office if you have sutures that need to be removed.

Before Insertion Placement Result Previous Next Learn More! Your smile is an important part of your appearance. And though the size, shape and color of the teeth are most frequently associated oral cosmetics, the gums play an essential role too. When gingival tissues begin to recess, your teeth may look oversized and uneven. Soft tissue grafting is often used to restore the gum line using a bio-compatible grafting material that is attached to the gums to protect the tooth surface. The resulting augmentation produces restored dental symmetry and eliminates a ‘toothy’ smile. Did you know: That gum recession can be more than just a cosmetic problem? The enamel below the gum line is more prone to decay and tooth sensitivity when exposed. A receding gum line can put your long-term dental health at risk – potentially causing cavities, bone loss, additional gum recession, and even tooth loss. Frequently Asked Questions Am I a candidate for soft tissue grafting? Generally, soft tissue grafting is recommended once the gingival tissue has reached the mucosa. However, you may be a candidate for soft tissue grafting if you have noticeable gum line recession that is a source of embarrassment, is a risk to your oral health. What should I expect during a soft tissue grafting procedure? If you decide to undergo soft tissue grafting, your procedure will take place in your oral health provider’s office. The grafting site will be numbed, and the existing gum tissue will be loosened to make room for the graft. The grafting material is sutured in place, and you will return home the same day as your procedure. How long is the recovery period following soft tissue grafting? It is normal to experience some soreness and swelling at the grafting site after your procedure. However, this will subside after a few days as your tissue graft continues to heal. Be sure to follow your post-procedural guidelines exactly as ordered by your oral surgeon, and take any prescriptions as instructed. Sutures usually dissolve or will be removed within a few days, and you should notice a significant improvement in the appearance of your gums within a few weeks. Keep in mind, however, that soft tissue grafts take several months to completely heal.

Learn More! Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a substance taken from your own blood that helps to promote healing. Since PRF is taken from your own blood, it is highly biocompatible and there is an extremely low risk of allergies, reaction, or adverse side effects. When applied to the treatment site, PRF helps to stimulate the healing process and acts as a bioactive band-aid. PRF is composed of various essential healing components, including: White blood cells, which help to decrease the risk of infection by cleaning the area Platelets, which help to attract growth factors and clot the blood Fibrin, which helps to clot the blood by binding platelets together Cytokines, which are proteins with anti-inflammatory properties Stem cells, which can help regenerate any type of tissue Did You Know? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was the first generation blood platelet concentration. However, PRP lacked white blood cells and released around 90% of its growth factors within 10 minutes of coagulation. PRF, on the other hand, contains more growth factors and has a prolonged release, meaning that it gradually releases these growth factors during the first 1-2 weeks of healing. Frequently Asked Questions: Can I benefit from PRF? You may benefit from PRF if you: Are having dental implants placed Are having one or more teeth extracted Have severe periodontal disease with bone loss Have gum recession Have oral soft tissue that failed to heal with sutures Need to prevent or treat an infection Are having a sinus lift To determine if PRF can benefit you, schedule a consultation with our office today. How is PRF obtained? PRF is obtained through a simple blood draw. Once a sample of your blood has been obtained, the vile of blood will be placed in a centrifuge for approximately 10 minutes. This will spin the blood at a speed of 3,000 rpm in order to separate the blood into three layers. Plasma will collect at the top of the vile, platelet rich fibrin will collect in the middle, and red blood cells will collect at the bottom. Our office uses the newest and most innovative equipment to optimize the quality of both liquid and solid PRF for different dental applications. How is PRF used during dental procedures? After the required treatment has been carried out, PRF will be placed over the treatment site. PRF is a gelatin consistency and is self-degradable, meaning that it will degrade within 1-2 weeks after placement. Depending on the type of treatment and the location, PRF may or may not be sutured in place. In some cases, it can even be injected into the treatment site. After its placement, PRF will release growth factors over the course of the next week or two in order to promote healing.

Diagnostic Surgery Same Day Results Final Restoration Diagnostic During your initial consultation, Dr. Towe will determine if All-on-X is the appropriate treatment for you based on your current health and specific smile goals. She will then plan each step of your treatment digitally using 3D CT scans and intra oral scans. Virtual pre-surgical planning the procedure allows us to achieve consistent and ultra-precise results. Dr. Towe only uses high-quality implant posts and recommends using the longest-lasting and most aesthetically appealing restoration materials for your final smile. Surgery Dr. Towe relies on her extensive expertise and experience to complete smile-transforming surgeries every day. After making you comfortable with IV sedation, she’ll remove any remaining decayed teeth before placing a minimum of four durable titanium posts per jaw. These titanium posts are placed in strategic positions to support a full jaw of teeth. Same Day Results After the titanium posts are placed, Dr. Towe will work with your general dentist to attach a temporary bridge to the posts so that you can leave with a full mouth of beautiful and securely fixed teeth that same day! These will function just like real teeth until you receive your final bridge. Final Restoration After checking that your implants have successfully healed in the jaw bone, your temporary bridge will be replaced with a custom-designed and durable final bridge. The final bridge provides long-term function and beauty. You will finally have a brand new smile! Learn More: All-on-X implants are revolutionizing the way dentists replace missing teeth. For years, patients have been choosing dental implants as permanent tooth prosthetics. But instead of placing as many as 10 implants into the gums for traditional dental implants, all-on-X implant therapy makes it possible to secure all of the teeth to just four dental implants. Unlike traditional implants, which are placed vertically, all-on-X implants are placed at an angle, which increases their strength and allows them to better support multiple prosthetics. The benefits of all-on-X implants are significant, including a faster single-visit implant placement process that is minimally invasive and usually prevents the need for bone grafting. Did you know… That all-on-X dental implants are placed while you are fully sedated? That means that you will have little or no memory of the procedure; and because there are fewer implants, you are also likely to experience an easier recovery period. When you choose all-on-X implants to replace your missing or damaged teeth, you will gain a permanent, non-removable solution that looks and functions like a real tooth. In many cases, all-on-X implants can last for several decades, or even a lifetime. Frequently Asked Questions Am I a candidate for all-on-X implants? You may be a candidate for all-on-X dental implants if all or nearly all of your teeth are missing or badly damaged. Implants placed early after tooth loss can help prevent bone atrophy and also reduces the need for bone grafting. To find out more about all-on-X dental implants, schedule a consultation with your dentist. What should I expect if I get all-on-X dental implants? Your damaged teeth will be extracted to make room for your new implants. When the time comes to place your implants, you will be asked to avoid eating and drinking the night before and day of your procedure, as you will be fully sedated for its duration. A minimum of four implants will be strategically placed into the supporting bone beneath your gums. The gums will be sutured closed to allow the implants time to fuse with bone and heal. Several months later, you will return to have your tooth prosthetics secured to the implants where they will remain permanently. Will I need to follow any special care instructions after I get all-on-X implants? Dental implants have a very high success rate, but there are some special care instructions you will need to follow after having them placed. It is normal to experience some pain and swelling after your procedure, though you may treat discomfort with over the counter medications or pain medications prescribed by your dentist. You may also need to rinse the treated area with a special solution several times each day and avoid using a straw. You may also be provided with an antibiotic and a list of temporary diet restrictions that will help you prevent infection.