This article focuses upon the cosmetic procedures designed to improve smile aesthetic as a result of gums that have either encroached or retreated from the crowns of the teeth.

Most of us associate the cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale with more commonly known aesthetic treatments and procedures such as teeth bleaching, porcelain veneers and crowns. But while the teeth tend to steal the limelight, this qualified and experienced periodontist also focuses much of his expertise upon the health and appearance of your gums! Wait… don’t tell me… is there actually a gum ‘pinkening’ treatment on the market now? What with the incredible and ceaseless advancements being made in medical science and cosmetic dentistry, this would hardly be surprising. But no, the cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale actually corrects the myriad of problems that can be associated with the gums and their appearance (www.drklevine.com).

Cosmetic Dentist in Ft. Lauderdale: Procedures

While we may not imagine that the gums can cause aesthetic problems, they can and frequently do. They can grow too far down the crown of the tooth resulting in a ‘gummy’ smile or, conversely, retreat too far up causing the darker roots to become exposed. In either case, the results are poor smile aesthetics that can quite easily be treated by the cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale:

Crown Lengthening

In cases where patients present with gum margins that have encroached over the teeth, leaving only stumps of white visible, the cosmetic dentist can remove a strip of tissue to reveal a greater portion of the tooth crowns. The underlying cause of this however can be an oral bacterial infection, such as is indicative of gum disease. Should the cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale find this to be the case with you, he will generally focus upon eliminating the root of the problem before recommending any kind of surgery to correct your smile aesthetics.

Gum Grafts

Quite the opposite problem is when the gums have retreated substantially from the crowns of the teeth resulting in an unaesthetic ‘toothy’ smile that could only possibly be becoming on a horse. The cause behind this fairly common situation can be associated with an incorrect brushing technique that is forcing the gums back from the teeth. It can, however, also be a symptom of periodontal (gum) disease; an acute and chronic oral bacterial infection. The cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale will once again prescribe an appropriate course of treatment before dealing with the associated effects on your smile aesthetics. Gum grafting consists of attaching a thin strip of soft tissue (generally sourced from the palate) to the retreated gum margin. This not only covers the sensitive root and protects it from bacteria, but it also makes a big difference to your smile aesthetics.

Important Note About the Cosmetic Dentist in Ft. Lauderdale

When it comes to your good oral health, there are no shortcuts. If you want to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile, dazzling white teeth and healthy pink gums, you need to maintain a high standard of oral health and hygiene. While the cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale has a full arsenal of treatments and procedures designed to restore smile aesthetics, he is first and foremost concerned with maintaining the good health of your teeth and gums. Regular check-ups and great oral hygiene are usually enough to prevent the need for cosmetic enhancements, but if not, the cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale is your beautiful smile expert (www.drklevine.com)!

This article addresses some of the questions frequently asked about oral cancer screenings: what they are, how often they need to be done, what the risk factors are and what happens should the dentist find anything abnormal.

Get out those calendars! An oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale is one of those regular medical check-ups you absolutely need to have done every year or two. What is that magic phrase? Prevention is better than cure and in no other field is this more appropriate than in medical and oral healthcare, especially when it comes to cancer. In order to increase your awareness of this terrible oral affliction, here are the answers to some of your frequently asked questions:

Question 1: What is an oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale?

An oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale consists of a thorough examination of your mouth for any abnormalities, lesions, growths, leukoplakia (white patches), sores or indications that your oral health, and that of your entire body, is at risk. This is performed by your dentist who will carefully inspect your gums, tongue, pharynx, soft and hard palate, tonsils, throat, cheeks (buccal mucosa) and lips. This periodontist (www.drklevine.com) makes use of the Trimira Identifi 3000 oral cancer screening light, which was developed by the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He may also gently palpate the neck and head to feel for any swellings or abnormalities.

Question 2: How often should I go for an oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale?

As a rule, dentists encourage their patients to have an oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale every year. This of course varies with your risk factor and so you should mention to him whether you have a family history of cancer (and in particular oral cancer) or are a smoker. These will help your dentist to determine the frequency with which you should receive an oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale. Since cancer may still be present even if you aren’t showing any symptoms, it is important that you receive regular and thorough checks. Diagnosing cancer in the beginning stages drastically improves your chance of 100% recovery.

Question 3: What happens if my dentist finds something abnormal?

Remember, an oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale is not diagnostic in nature, so you won’t know for sure on the day it is performed. Should your dentist find anything suspicious, he will take a scraping of the abnormal region (which doesn’t hurt at all) and send it to a laboratory for testing. You will be informed of the results and of the recommended course of action should you present with anything malignant.

Question 4: What are the risk factors for oral cancer?

There are a number of factors you should mention to the dentist who performs your oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a family and/or personal history of cancer and your age can all seriously influence your chance of developing this terrible disease. Research has also revealed men to be at a greater risk than females. But, whether you are perfectly healthy or meet one or all of the above-mentioned criteria, you should be aware that oral cancer is a very real threat. Only early detection with an oral cancer screening in Ft. Lauderdale every year will ensure that you have the greatest chance of survival (www.drklevine.com).