Your Gums Are the Foundation of Your Smile
Your soft tissues, such as your gums, are critical to your oral health. Without them, your teeth have no solid foundations and will be subject to decay. Periodontal disease and gingivitis can lead to long-term health issues and even systemic infections. Root canals can be a good way to save a decaying tooth, but at West LA Implants, we also offer a variety of higher-tech options, such as laser gum surgery that can restore your smile and your gum health without the need for more invasive procedures.
Even if you’ve had dental implants, it’s important to keep on top of your periodontal health, as peri-implantitis can be a severely damaging disease in patients who have had implants placed. That’s why we offer a variety of periodontal services in Los Angeles, including gum disease treatment and soft tissue periodontics.
What To Expect From Your First Visit
We realize that visiting a dental office isn’t always a priority. We take pride in making your dental visits with us as comfortable and personalized as possible! If you’re visiting because of a dental emergency, we may alter the following process, but in general, you should expect:
Scaling and Root Planing
This type of laser gum surgery is one of the best ways to keep your gums healthy when you have periodontal disease. This procedure uses lasers to remove all the plaque and tartar on your teeth, taking special care to reach below the gum line. Because Dr. Barriere uses lasers for this procedure, you will experience less scraping and pain than you would with a traditional scaling.
Osseous Surgery
Osseous surgery is also known as pocket reduction surgery. This procedure eliminates the bacteria living in the pockets of your gums. It is performed under local anesthetic, and is a very minor surgery with outsized results. During the surgery, Dr. Barriere cuts back your gums and removes any bacteria. Your gums are then sewn back and covered in a dressing to help them heal.
Gingivectomy
In cases of severe periodontal disease, a gingivectomy may be required. In this procedure, Dr. Barriere removes the infected portion of your gums. This reshapes your gum tissue, allowing for advanced bacteria removal. This is needed when your gums have pulled completely away from your teeth, but it can save your teeth. Depending on how much tissue has been removed, you may also need a gum graft from elsewhere in your mouth.
Crown Lengthening
This laser gum surgery is ideal if you have a particularly gummy smile. In this procedure, Dr. Barriere uses lasers to remove excess gum tissue that’s growing around the crown of your teeth. This alleviates a gummy smile, and it also reduces the amount of gum tissue that can be vulnerable to infection.
Gingival Grafts
Gingival grafts, also called gum grafts, are a procedure in which tissue from the mouth is grafted onto your gums. This can replace gum tissue that has been removed or pulled away from your teeth, and can save your natural teeth.
Frenectomy
A frenectomy is a procedure in which Dr. Barriere cuts into your frenulum (which is the connective tissue connecting your upper gums to your lip, and your tongue to the bottom of your mouth). This can alleviate suffering if you’re lip-tied or tongue-tied, and can restore full range of motion within your mouth.
Your teeth are only part of your smile.
Take care of your gums at West LA Implants and find out what periodontal treatment can do for you!
