Dental Surgery

Good candidates for dental implants are those who have healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant, however, depending on your oral health you may still qualify for the procedure.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Dental implants are the next best thing to real teeth, which boosts self-esteem and confidence by enhancing your appearance
• Speaking and eating are made easier as dental implants permanently fill in the gaps that make these everyday tasks difficult
• With proper care and regular dental visits, dental implants have the ability to last a lifetime
• Dental implants provide comfort and convenience, eliminating the process of removing and cleaning them

It’s important to note that smoking can lead to failure of the implants as it can present a higher risk of infection and slow the healing process. For more information on the dental implant process and to see if you’re a good candidate, schedule a consultation with one of our periodontists. We’ll conduct a thorough dental exam and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs based on your results.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting often becomes necessary in some reconstructive surgery cases such as dental implants or bridge work. When the jawbone is too weak or unstable bone grafting replaces bone loss and provides a stable foundation to proceed with the dental work. Today there are a variety of bone grafting materials and procedures provide you with optimal results. Following a full examination, our experts in periodontics will assess your results and decide if bone grafting may be an appropriate treatment option.

Ridge Augmentation

With the loss of teeth comes the possibility of a shift in your jawbone structure. At the root of your teeth is a bone that stays strong with the stimulation provided by your teeth. As soon your bone loses the stimulation it starts to become reabsorbed by your body, resulting in a change to the structure of your face thus creating difficulty for denture or dental implant procedures. Ridge augmentation is the procedure that builds the jawbone back up, giving it the necessary shape to be able to withstand replacement teeth.

Dental Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that is done when the tooth is too short to provide adequate retention for a restoration (usually a crown). When a tooth has a deep cavity, a crown or a filling are usually needed to restore the tooth. If the cavity extends too far below the gums, or if the tooth does not stick out far enough to support a filling or crown, it becomes impossible to predictably make a crown that will last for any length of time. Performing crown lengthening where indicated improves the prognosis for the tooth.

Crown lengthening almost always involves removing and re-contouring some of the bone around the tooth. This results in more tooth structure above the gums and smooth flowing gum contours. Not every tooth that needs a crown also needs crown lengthening surgery, it is only necessary when a deep cavity or crack is present.

For more information on dental crown lengthening and what it entails, schedule a consultation with one of our periodontists today.

Gum grafting usually involves using your own tissue to cover the recessed area, however, we may use the option to utilize tissue from a tissue bank to try and get your tissue to regenerate. While the primary reasons for gum grafting include repairing recessed gums to avoid tooth loss, gum grafting can be done for aesthetics, improving what periodontists often refer to as a “gummy smile”. Gum grafting surgery is an outpatient procedure and is not as intimidating as it may sound.

At South Texas Periodontal Associates, our experts in periodontics are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding gum grafting surgery.