Treating Overgrowth of Gum Tissue

Tooth eruption consists of an active and a passive phase. Active eruption is the movement of the teeth in the direction of the occlusal plane, whereas passive eruption is related to the exposure of the teeth by apical migration of the gingiva.

Altered passive eruption is characterized by excessive gingiva in relation to the crown of the tooth. This condition may be localized or generalized, may exist in conjuction with or without periodontal disease and should be considered in planning for restorative, orthodontic and esthetic dentistry.

While altered passive eruption is usually diagnosed by clinical observation, this condition is often overlooked or unrecognized. Failure to recognize this condition can result in compromised clinical outcomes.

Correct diagnosis of altered passive eruption and proper therapy will result in improved dental care and esthetic results for patients. Read more here about this condition and how Philadelphia Periodontist Dr. Stephen Brown treats the overgrowth of gum tissue.

Philadelphia Periodontist Corrects Overgrowth of Gum Tissue During Orthodontic Treatment

Excess gum tissue can create the appearance of short teeth and a "gummy" smile—and make your oral health more difficult to manage. A number of factors can cause a gummy smile. Philadelphia periodontist, Dr. Stephen Brown can remove excess gum tissue to give your mouth a new look. Esthetic crown lengthening can enhance your smile by creating a more even gumline, making the teeth appear longer. The procedure can also improve the patient's ability to eat and allows for better oral hygiene, resulting in less irritation.

During Cosmetic Crown Lengthening, a cosmetic periodontal procedure, gum tissue is surgically removed, and in some cases, some of the underlying bone is also removed.

In this example, a young lady had experienced irritation from braces (orthodontics). If a patient has excessive gum tissue at the time of orthodontic treatment, the gums can become irritated by the braces, even with proper oral care. Following orthodontic treatment and removal of her braces, an overgrowth and enlargement of her gums became evident, making her teeth appear much too short and her smile much too "gummy".

Before

Montgomery County Periodontal Specialist, Dr. I. Stephen Brown corrected the condition utilizing a cosmetic periodontal procedure, making her smile much more attractive.

After

To learn more about correcting gummy smiles and other gum procedures, call Philadelphia Gum Specialist Dr. Stephen Brown (215) 735-3660 or visit him on the web at www.theperiogroup.com and submit your questions online using one of the "contact us" forms located throughout the website.