Crown Lengthening
In certain situations, some of the gum and bone tissue around a tooth crown (the white part of a tooth that is visible above the gumline) needs to be removed to allow for corrective treatments to occur, such as filling a cavity or placing a crown below the gumline. This is important because if a filling or crown gets too close to the bone, irritation, pain, and bleeding can be common complaints.
Additionally, this can be done for cosmetic purposes. An example of this is a “gummy” smile or overgrowth of gum tissue.
As a periodontist, Dr. Gradoville is a highly skilled specialist in crown lengthening. She takes great care to ensure the treatment is both highly effective and comfortable.
Tooth Exposure for Orthodontics
Sometimes teeth fail to break through the gum and move into their natural position on the dental arch. Dr. Gradoville can gently expose the crowns of such teeth and place an orthodontic bracket on them so the orthodontist can bring them into proper alignment. Though primarily done for children and teens, this is occasionally also necessary for adults receiving orthodontic treatment