Anchorage Dentist Publishes Article About Gum Lift

Healthy Smiles Dental, a dental office based in Anchorage, Alaska, has announced that they have published an article on their blog page on what is a gum lift. A gum lift is a normal procedure in which a dentist will get rid of excess gums from the patient’s teeth. The article goes on to discuss everything that people need to know about gum lift.

Dr. Terry J. Preece from Healthy Smiles Dental says, “Gum contouring alone is sometimes not enough. There are times when it’s not considered a medically necessary procedure. Most patients choose to have their gums reshaped so they can feel better about their smile. But the main reason why patients undergo a gum lift is to prepare themselves for a procedure such as crown lengthening and pocket reduction.”

Dr. Preece explains that gum lift surgery is not regarded as a cosmetic procedure when overgrown gum tissue has covered the tooth crown, gum tissue is added, and there is recession on the gums. However, there are situations when gum lifts are considered as a restorative or cosmetic procedure. It becomes a cosmetic procedure when it is done to enhance the patient’s smile. Usually, these are patients who have gum tissue covering their teeth, causing their gums to take over their smiles. With gum lift surgery, the excess gums are eliminated, allowing the natural teeth to shine through.

For patients who have a cracked crown, it has to be made sure that enough of the natural tooth is exposed so that the dental crown can be bonded to the tooth. If there is excessive gum tissue, this has to be removed before bonding the crown to the tooth.

The Anchorage dentist assures patients that the procedure is not as painful and frightening as it sounds. This is because of the presence of new laser technology, which makes the procedure almost pain-free without the use of incisions. Thus, the procedure is now quicker and more comfortable than patients would usually imagine it to be.

Dr. Preece points out that patients should ensure that the dentist who will perform the gum lift surgery, either for restorative or cosmetic reasons, will be using lasers instead of incisions. With laser technology, the procedure won’t be as painful as imagined and the recovery time would be much shorter.

Naturally, just like with other types of surgery, there are some risks involved. Fortunately, most of these risks are minimal and patients should not worry about them. For those who prefer to have general anesthesia during the surgery, there is the possibility of an allergic reaction. Thus, patients should make sure to discuss this with their dentist if they have such an allergy to anesthesia.

And then there is also the risk that the gum tissue would relapse. This means that the gums would return to their natural state of covering the teeth, which means the gum lift surgery was not able to accomplish its purpose.

It should be noted that Dr. Preece can perform various kinds of cosmetic dentistry procedures. These include porcelain crowns and bridges; smile design; teeth whitening; dental implants; porcelain and composite resin veneers; tooth colored fillings; gum contouring; teeth contouring; direct bonding; closing of spaces and gaps; restoration of chipped teeth; and premium aesthetic dentures.

Dr. Preece can also perform sedation dentistry. This allows helps patients to relax and be comfortable during the procedure. He uses various kinds of sedation, including nitrous oxide gas, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation or parenteral sedation.

Dr. Preece completed his dentistry degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1980. He then returned Anchorage with his family in August 2010 and that was the time that he established the Healthy Smiles Dental clinic. He has currently over 35 years of experience in offering full-care, comprehensive dentistry. He is also an active member of the Alaska Dental Society, American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and Anchorage Dental Society.

People who are interested in dental services in Anchorage or who want to schedule an appointment at Healthy Smiles Dental can visit the clinic's website at https://www.anchoragehealthysmiles.com/ or they can contact the clinic through the phone or by email.