4 Popular Cosmetic Treatments for a More Radiant Smile

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, but what if you don’t love your smile? 

Stains are a common cosmetic complaint, but that’s far from the only one. Missing teeth, receding gums, and teeth that appear too short can all impact your smile. These are all hallmark complications of gum disease.

The good news? You don’t have to hide behind a close-lipped smile forever.

At Baton Rouge Periodontics & Implants, our periodontists, Dr. Jenny Herman, and Dr. Barry Biner can help you envision a new smile — and correct cosmetic gum issues.

Here are four cosmetic treatments that can help you achieve a more radiant smile.

1. Dental implants

Missing teeth aren’t just an aesthetic issue. You might have difficulty chewing or speaking clearly depending on which tooth (or teeth) you’re missing. Missing front teeth in particular can make it hard to form clear sounds. 

Dental implants can address all of these concerns — the cosmetic and the functional ones. Dr. Herman and Dr. Biner use endosteal dental implants to replace your missing teeth.

Our dental implants can contain three parts: 

• A titanium post to firmly secure your implant 
• An abutment (a small connector piece)
• Your dental crown, the visible part of your new tooth

Whether you need one or several implants, the result is a beautiful, functional smile.

2. Crown lengthening 

A gummy smile shows more gum tissue than you’d prefer. The excess gum tissue is measured in millimeters (mm). Mild gummy smiles reveal an extra 2-4 mm, while severe gummy smiles can reveal more than 8 extra mm. 

Crown lengthening is a minimally invasive procedure that can correct a gummy smile by removing the excess gum tissue using advanced laser technology and special tools. In about an hour, you can have a whole new look.

3. Cosmetic gum treatments 

Gummy smiles aren’t the only gum-related cosmetic concern. Receding gums can also pose cosmetic concerns. Receding gums are a common issue with periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. 

More than 42% of adults over 30 have gum disease, and in 8% of adults, the gum disease is severe. Even if you have mild gum disease (and only see signs of gingivitis), you may be at risk for gum recession if your gum disease continues untreated.

Once gum tissue recedes, it doesn’t grow back naturally on its own, but our Baton Rouge Periodontics & Implants team has several options for addressing the area of concern:

• Bone grafting
• Gum grafting
• Pinhole surgical technique (PST™)

Dr. Herman or Dr. Biner can examine your gums and recommend the right gum treatment based on your oral health and aesthetic goals.

4. Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP®)

LANAP is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for gum disease. Your Baton Rouge Periodontics & Implants provider uses a specialized laser to remove diseased gum tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. 

LANAP helps reduce gum inflammation, improve gum attachment, and support bone regeneration. All of this can enhance the cosmetic appearance of your smile by reducing gum swelling. 

In the long run, it also promotes a beautiful smile by preventing cosmetic issues like receding gums and tooth loss.

Start the year off with a new smile

Whether you’re ready to replace a missing tooth, correct a gummy smile, or address gum disease, we’ve got you covered. As board-certified periodontists, Dr. Herman and Dr. Biner know how gum disease can affect your mouth, and that’s why our treatments always aim to address the health — and look — of your smile. 

To make an appointment at our office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reach out via phone at 225-769-1444 or through our online scheduling system.