Surgical Procedures

These procedures are a predictable way to cover unsightly, sensitive or exposed root surfaces and to prevent future gum recession. If you are unhappy with the appearance of short unsightly teeth this can be greatly improved by a combination of periodontal procedures by Dr. A Mazratian and cosmetic dentistry by your dentist.

Although your teeth appear short, they may actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with too much gum tissue. We can correct this by performing the periodontal plastic surgery procedure, crown lengthening (soft tissue).

During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to more than one tooth, to even your gum line, and to create a beautiful smile.

Another cosmetic procedure is the soft tissue graft. It is used to cover unattractive tooth roots, reduce gum recession and protect the roots from decay and eventual loss.

When recession of the gingiva occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an option.

When there is only minor recession, some healthy gingiva often remains and protects the tooth, so that no treatment other than modifying home care practices is necessary. However, when recession reaches the mucosa, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost.

Crown lengthening (hard tissue) is required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration. The edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and not accessible. It is also usually too close to the bone or below the bone.

The procedure involves adjusting the levels of the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question, to create a new gum-to-tooth relationship. This allows us to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. This allows you to clean the edge of the restoration when you brush and floss to prevent decay and gum disease.

When the procedure is completed, sutures and a protective “bandage” are placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship. You will need to be seen in one or two weeks to evaluate your healing.

Although your teeth appear short, they may actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with too much gum tissue. We can correct this by performing the Soft Tissue Crown Lengthening surgical procedure.

During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to more than one tooth, to even your gum line, and to create a beautiful smile.

• Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
• A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
• A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, and tongue. Pain does not always occur with pathology and, curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer. We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly and remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we may help.

Oral sores, lesions, or growths that will not heal, may be a sign of other medical conditions. Biopies are performed in our office under local anesthesia, The specimen is sent to a pathologist for a confirmation of the diagnosis. The results are generally available within twenty-four hours. Since being in practice Dr. A Mazratian has diagnosed several cases of oral cancer. Therefore, it is always best not to delay treatment.

The frenum is a piece of tissue that runs between the upper or lower two front teeth and the lip. In certain cases this frenum becomes a problem of being too low in its attachment and/or too thick. If left alone, it can cause or help lead to, separation of the two front teeth. It may also help in causing gum recession in this area as well. If this frenum becomes a problem it must be removed or repositioned. This is also done many times prior to or after orthodontic tooth movement.

In some cases, especially for those patients diagnosed with advanced periodontitis, non-surgical therapy is not sufficient in treating all areas of the mouth. Those cases may require the surgical treatment. Osseous surgery is the process of cleaning out the diseased areas and reducing the pockets by reshaping the bone. Sutures will be placed to secure the site and a protective dressing will cover the surgical site for the first few days. Patients will return to our office for a post-op appointment to check the healing process.

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. Also, patients that have been diagnosed with periodontitis have bone loss around their teeth. Both of these conditions lead to poor to no bone quality and quantity.

Today, we have the ability to “grow” bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.