Dr. Baldassarre's practice provides a variety of surgical services. She prides herself on the fact that she is very conservative in her treatment recommendations and limit surgery to the areas where it is absolutely necessary. Periodontal procedures are available to regenerate the bone and gum tissue to their original function and cosmetic appearance. Some of the surgical procedures used to treat disease by Dr. Baldassarre are also used to enhance your smile cosmetically. Soft Tissue Grafts which can be used to cover exposed roots. Crown Lengthening which can eliminate a gummy smile Ridge Augmentation which can repair an unsightly depression left by extracted teeth. Oftentimes, patients who pursue cosmetic procedures notice improving function as well. Soft Tissue Grafts When recession of the gingiva occurs, the tooth loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an option. There are a number of reasons your gums may have receded. Aggressive toothbrushing and periodontal disease are common reasons. Dr. Baldassarre will help you identify the factors that have contributed to the problem prior to treatment. Once these contributing factors are controlled a soft tissue graft procedure will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss. In addition, gum recession often results in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods, as well as an unsightly appearance to the gum and tooth. Also, gum recession, when significant, can predispose to worsening recession and expose the root surface, which is softer than enamel, leading to root caries and root gouging. A soft tissue graft is designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, or gently moved over from adjacent areas, to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root. The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth. Crown Lengthening When decay occurs below the gumline, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue. Your dentist may ask for this procedure before he or she makes a new crown for your tooth. Reshaping The Gum and Supporting Tissues This will allow your general dentist adequate room to place a quality final restoration. Final Restoration Another indication for crown lengthening is when the front teeth are too short or of uneven length. Front Teeth Before Crown Lengthening Ridge Preservation and Augmentation Careful management of extraction sockets after tooth extraction prevents unsightly bone loss and a better cosmetic outcome of tooth replacement. Areas where the tissue is unsightly from prior tooth loss can be rebuilt to give you better cosmetic outcome of tooth replacement as well. Regeneration Dr. Baldassarre has recommended a regenerative procedure due to the severe loss of bone around your tooth. This surgical procedure "regenerates" the previously lost bone tissue. Most techniques utilize membranes, which are inserted over the bone defects. Some of these membranes are bio-absorbable and some require removal. Those membranes are used in conjunction with bone grafting materials which encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. We now have the ability to grow bone where needed for implant placement as well. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, and it also gives us a chance to more effectively restore esthetic appearance and functionality.