Cosmetic Treatments
Esthetic Crown Lengthening
During the dental crown lengthening procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth.
This can be done to one tooth, to even your gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile. Dr. Sarmiento uses minimally invasive techniques to ensure highly cosmetic results.
For any questions or concerns regarding if this treatment is right for you, please contact our office to schedule you a consultation.
Gum Bleaching
Gum depigmentation (aka gum bleaching) is a procedure used in cosmetic dentistry to remove black spots or patches on the gums caused by excessive melanin.
The normal color of the gum tissue (gingiva) is pink, but excess deposits of melanin (melanin gingival hyperpigmentation) can create what seem to be black spots or patches on the gums, creating an aesthetic or cosmetic problem. Discolouration may also be caused by long term use of certain medications.
Dr. Sarmiento uses dental lasers to remove pigmented ares from the gums. For any questions or concerns regarding if this treatment is right for you, please contact our office to schedule you a consultation.
Gummy Smile Correction
A gummy smile is a when a person shows too much gums when they smile.
This is often called excess gingival display of the gums. It takes a skilled periodontal surgeon to correct a gummy smile. Depending on the degree of excess display, several treatment options are available.
Gummy Smile Correction
Causes of a Gummy Smile
There are several possible causes of gummy smile, including:
- Excessive gingival display (gum display) in your upper jaw, is a result of abnormal eruption of the upper teeth. The teeth appear short since the gum tissue is overlapping the teeth even though they may actually be the proper length.
- The muscle that controls the movement of your upper lip could be hyperactive, causing your upper lip to rise up higher than normal. When this occurs, more of your gum tissue is exposed when you smile.
- The way in which your upper jaw bone grew during development could cause the appearance of a gummy smile. The upper jaw will have a protrusive appearance causing your upper lip to be pulled higher than usual.
Ways to Correct Gummy Smiles
- Surgical lip repositioning.
- Laser treatment of the gums.
- Orthodontics (braces).
- Surgical Sculpting of the gingival tissues and bone to create healthier and more attractive looking gum contours.
- Maxillofacial surgery to reposition the bone.
For any questions or concerns regarding if this treatment is right for you, please contact our office to schedule you a consultation.
Surgical Orthodontics
Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO), is a method by which traditional orthodontic (braces) treatment can be accelerated 2-3 times faster with the aid of a periodontist trained specifically in the technique.
Many of our patients choose to have this treatment completed near the end of the school year.
The method involves inducing the bone surrounding the teeth into a mode that allows for the teeth to be moved much faster than in traditional orthodontics. The bone surrounding the teeth enters this phase due to a process called the “Rapid Acceleratory Phenomenon”, or “RAP”.
For any questions or concerns regarding if this treatment is right for you, please contact our office to schedule you a consultation.
Tooth Whitening
Our Upper East Manhattan office offers tooth whitening.
We use the newest and most sophisticated whitening techniques that help decrease sensitivity and achieves a more brighter white smile. Our patients love the results they get from our power bleaching techniques.
Tooth Whitening
Are whitening toothpastes, rinses and over the counter strips effective?
Dr. Sarmiento recommends using over the counter products as a whitening maintainer and not as a definitive treatment to whiten teeth. The key for white teeth is to have them professionally whiten, brush your teeth daily and use over the counter whitening products periodically.
What causes tooth discoloration?
The following can cause discoloration to the teeth:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Dark soft drinks (cola)
- Other foods and oral tobacco products with strong content of pigments
- Tobacco (tar)
- Aging
- Genetics
- Medication side affects such as tetracyclines
- Enamel hypoplasia
- Fluorosis
- Poor Oral Hygiene
The American Dental Association recommends to have your teeth checked by a dentist before undergoing any whitening method.