When most people think of cosmetic surgery, they often focus on the eyes, cheeks, or nose. But some of the most impactful enhancements come from your teeth. As more individuals seek ways to improve their appearance, cosmetic dentistry and periodontology have grown increasingly popular. In fact, a poll by the American Academy of Periodontology found that smile-enhancing procedures were requested five times more often than eyelid surgeries.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry references a study where participants viewed photos of people before and after smile enhancement treatments. Those with improved smiles were consistently rated as more attractive, approachable, successful, sensitive, and friendly.
If you’re looking to improve your smile, our team can help with a variety of cosmetic and periodontal procedures. Below are some of the most common treatments we provide to our patients.
If your smile shows too much gum, making your teeth appear short, it’s called a gummy smile. If your gum line is uneven and some teeth appear shorter than others, it’s considered a crooked smile. Both can be corrected with a gum lift or crown lengthening procedure. During this treatment, excess gum tissue is removed and the gum contour is reshaped to lengthen the teeth and create a balanced, natural-looking smile.
Gum recession can result from gum disease, aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, or natural aging and genetics. As gums recede, roots become exposed, causing longer-looking teeth, increased sensitivity, and higher risk for root decay and bone loss. A soft-tissue graft, or gum graft, restores the gum line by covering the exposed roots with tissue from the roof of the mouth or another source, protecting the roots and preventing further recession.
Missing teeth not only create gaps in your smile but can also affect oral health. Dental implants are a reliable solution, replacing both the tooth and its root with a synthetic post surgically placed in the jawbone. Implant crowns look and feel like natural teeth and, with proper care, can last a lifetime.
When a tooth is lost or removed, an indentation may form in the gum and jawbone where the tooth once was. This happens as the bone gradually atrophies. To restore the natural contour, we can perform ridge augmentation, often combined with bone grafting. This procedure rebuilds the gum and bone structure, providing a smooth foundation for dental implants and a natural-looking smile.
Cosmetic periodontal enhancements are specialized procedures that reshape or restore the gums and supporting tissues to create a more balanced, natural-looking smile. These treatments address issues such as excess gum display, uneven gum lines, exposed roots, and lost tissue contours to improve both aesthetics and oral health. By combining periodontal expertise with careful planning, these procedures can harmonize the relationship between teeth and gums for a long-lasting improvement in appearance.
The practice of A R Periodontics, PC offers a range of cosmetic periodontal options tailored to each patient’s needs, from minor contouring to advanced tissue reconstruction. Our approach emphasizes preservation of healthy tissue, precise surgical technique, and clear patient education so individuals understand their treatment plan and expected outcomes. Cosmetic periodontal care prioritizes both function and appearance, helping patients feel more confident while reducing risks related to gum disease and root exposure.
Gummy or uneven smiles are often treated with gum contouring procedures such as crown lengthening or a gum lift, which remove or reshape excess gum tissue to reveal more of the tooth surface. Crown lengthening can also involve reshaping underlying bone when necessary to achieve a stable, symmetrical gum line that enhances tooth proportions. These procedures are performed with careful measurements and aesthetic planning to ensure the new contours look natural and harmonious with the patient’s facial features.
In many cases, cosmetic contouring is completed using minimally invasive techniques and local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Postoperative follow-up focuses on controlling swelling, maintaining oral hygiene, and monitoring tissue healing to achieve predictable results. When combined with restorative dentistry, gum contouring can improve the fit and appearance of crowns, veneers, or implant restorations for a complete aesthetic outcome.
Soft-tissue grafts restore lost gum tissue by covering exposed tooth roots and strengthening the gum margin, which reduces sensitivity and lowers the risk of root decay. Tissue may be taken from the patient’s palate or obtained from a donor source and is carefully positioned around the recessed area to encourage new tissue integration and root coverage. The procedure not only improves aesthetics by creating a more even gum line but also provides protective tissue that helps prevent further recession.
Healing typically involves initial tissue integration followed by maturation of the graft over several weeks to months, during which patients are advised to follow specific oral hygiene and dietary recommendations. Periodic follow-up visits allow the clinician to monitor healing and address any concerns such as persistent sensitivity or tissue irritation. When successful, soft-tissue grafting offers a durable solution that preserves tooth structure and enhances long-term periodontal stability.
Ridge augmentation and bone grafting rebuild the shape and volume of the jaw after tooth loss or bone atrophy, restoring a smooth and natural contour to the gum and bone. These procedures replace missing bone with graft material and may include reshaping the soft tissue so that the final profile supports a natural-looking restoration, such as an implant crown or bridge. Restoring proper ridge form improves aesthetics, facilitates restorative work, and helps maintain facial structure by preventing further bone loss.
Grafting techniques vary depending on the defect and treatment goals, and they are often staged or combined with implant placement to optimize long-term results. Careful surgical technique and biologically compatible graft materials support predictable bone regeneration and soft-tissue healing. After augmentation, patients follow a tailored healing protocol and return for monitoring to ensure successful integration and stable contours for future restorations.
Dental implants serve both functional and cosmetic roles by replacing missing teeth and the underlying root structure, providing a restoration that closely resembles natural teeth in appearance and function. From an aesthetic perspective, implants preserve surrounding bone, support the soft-tissue architecture, and allow for restorations that match neighboring teeth in color, shape, and emergence profile. Well-planned implant treatment can dramatically improve smile continuity and facial balance while restoring chewing ability and speech.
Implant treatment typically involves a surgical placement of a titanium post, a healing period during which the implant integrates with the jawbone, and placement of a custom crown or prosthesis. A periodontal specialist coordinates implant positioning, soft-tissue management, and final restoration to achieve optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes. Patients should expect a staged process with careful planning, clinical follow-up, and attention to maintaining oral hygiene to protect the implant long term.
Good candidates for cosmetic periodontal procedures are patients who have stable overall oral health, realistic expectations, and concerns such as uneven gum lines, gum recession, missing teeth, or soft-tissue defects affecting appearance. A thorough clinical evaluation, including periodontal charting and imaging when indicated, helps determine whether cosmetic treatment is appropriate and which procedures will produce the best results. Active gum disease must be managed prior to cosmetic work to ensure predictable healing and long-term success.
Individual factors such as medical history, smoking status, oral hygiene habits, and the quality of remaining bone and soft tissue influence candidacy and treatment planning. The periodontist will present options tailored to the patient’s needs, discussing the benefits, anticipated healing timeline, and any preparatory steps required. With proper selection and planning, many patients achieve substantial aesthetic improvement while preserving or enhancing oral health.
Recovery varies by procedure but generally involves a few days to several weeks of healing with attention to pain control, swelling management, and protection of the surgical site. Patients are usually given instructions on diet modifications, oral hygiene adjustments, and prescribed or recommended antimicrobial rinses to minimize the risk of infection and encourage optimal tissue healing. Most people return to normal activities within a few days, though strenuous exercise and certain foods may be limited during the early healing phase.
Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing, remove sutures if present, and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Long-term maintenance includes regular periodontal cleanings, consistent home care, and monitoring for signs of recession or tissue change. Adhering to these recommendations supports lasting results and reduces the likelihood of needing additional corrective treatment.
As with any surgical procedure, cosmetic gum treatments carry potential risks such as infection, bleeding, temporary or, rarely, lasting sensitivity, and variable healing outcomes depending on individual factors. Some patients may experience incomplete root coverage after soft-tissue grafting or minor asymmetry following contouring that may require additional refinement. The periodontist mitigates risks through careful diagnosis, sterile technique, appropriate patient selection, and close postoperative monitoring.
Patients with certain medical conditions, smokers, or those with uncontrolled periodontal disease may face higher complication rates and should discuss these factors with their clinician. Clear preoperative instructions, adherence to postoperative care, and timely communication about unusual symptoms help reduce complications and ensure prompt management if issues arise. Informed consent and discussion of realistic expectations are part of good clinical practice before any cosmetic periodontal procedure.
Many cosmetic periodontal results are long-lasting when supported by proper oral hygiene, routine professional care, and healthy lifestyle habits. Procedures that restore tissue contours or replace missing teeth can remain stable for years, but longevity depends on factors such as oral hygiene, periodontal maintenance, systemic health, and behaviors like tobacco use. Regular periodontal maintenance visits allow the clinician to detect early changes and address concerns before they compromise the aesthetic outcome.
Maintaining results includes daily brushing and interdental cleaning, attending scheduled periodontal cleanings, and following any home-care instructions specific to the procedure performed. For surgical sites, patients may receive adjunctive recommendations such as specialized brushes or topical agents to protect the treated area. Ongoing communication with the periodontist helps ensure that restorative and maintenance plans evolve with the patient’s needs to preserve both health and appearance.
Periodontists have advanced training in the diagnosis and surgical management of gum and supporting bone conditions, which is critical when cosmetic goals involve altering soft tissue or bone architecture. This specialized expertise allows for more precise manipulation of the tissues that frame the teeth, improved predictability of outcomes, and better integration with restorative care such as crowns, veneers, or implants. Complex cases that require grafting, ridge augmentation, or coordinated implant placement benefit from a clinician experienced in periodontal surgery and tissue regeneration.
Referral to a periodontist ensures that cosmetic planning accounts for both aesthetic appearance and long-term periodontal health, reducing the risk of recurrence or complications. The team at A R Periodontics, PC collaborates with general dentists and prosthodontists to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care when needed. Choosing a specialist for cosmetic periodontal work helps patients achieve natural-looking, durable results while preserving oral health.
