Soft Tissue Periodontics - Del Rio, TX

A gingivectomy is the surgical removal of the gum tissue around teeth. This is often completed when a person suffers from gum disease to trim away the damaged tissues and reduce the pockets between teeth. A gingivectomy may also remove gum tissue, causing a “gummy” smile to improve the smile’s overall symmetry and tooth-to-gum ratio and reduce excess tissue prone to infection. Sometimes a gingivectomy is used to gain access to more of a tooth in need of repair. A restoration like a dental crown can be securely and snuggly attached without excess soft tissues. Patients who complete this treatment experience improved dental function and better smile esthetics.

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the frenulum or the tissue restricting tongue or upper lip movement. Patients with tongue-tie or lip-tie can experience numerous functional problems associated with eating, swallowing, breathing, and speaking. A frenulum that grows abnormally can also affect the development of the two front teeth, creating a gap that orthodontics may be unable to close. A frenectomy in Del Rio, TX is a fast procedure made painless with numbing agents and sedation. Infants, children, and adults who undergo this procedure experience better function, health, and confidence.

Crown lengthening is a dental procedure involving removing gum and bone tissue to expose more of a tooth's surface. A periodontist or oral surgeon typically performs it and can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Crown lengthening is commonly used to address issues like a gummy smile or tooth decay near the gumline or to provide a stable foundation for dental restorations, ultimately improving a patient's oral health and smile aesthetics.

Gingival graft, or gum grafting, is a common periodontal procedure used to treat gum recession. During this surgical procedure, a periodontist or oral surgeon takes tissue from another part of the mouth, typically the palate, and grafts it onto the receding gumline. This helps to cover exposed tooth roots, reduce tooth sensitivity, and improve the overall health and appearance of the gums.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical dental procedure to treat gum disease, particularly in its early stages. During this treatment, a dentist or dental hygienist uses specialized tools to remove dental plaque and calculus (tartar) from the surfaces of the teeth, including below the gumline. This process helps to reduce inflammation, prevent further gum disease progression, and promote better gum and tooth health.

Essentially, Laser Bacterial Reduction is a pre-procedural decontamination process that is completed in the beginning of a regularly scheduled teeth cleaning. It is a pre-cursor to help decontaminate a patient’s gums. While you might not realize it, hygienists often unintentionally move around bacteria from tooth to tooth during a normal teeth cleaning. Reducing bacteria prior to a teeth cleaning helps to reduce the chance that bacteria spreads from pocket to pocket. LBR is a simple and easy procedure that hygienists can use to prevent the spread of bacteria during a regular cleaning. Through LBR, you reduce this risk tenfold, and that is why it is such an important new development in the world of dentistry.

SiroLaser Advance is a diode laser with both an infrared and a red diode. The established infrared 970 nm wavelength covers all indications in the field of soft-tissue surgery, periodontology and endodontics. The additional red 660 nm diode is used for what is known as Photobiomodulation. This enables it to cover more than 20 indications. For patients, the use of lasers means less post-operative pain and therefore less need for medication.