Perio-Esthetics

The goal of periodontal therapy is to establish and maintain the dentition and periodontium in health, comfort and function with optimal esthetics throughout the lifetime of the patient. This represents a modification in the thought processes of many dentists because the “dentition” now includes both natural teeth and dental implants. Although treatment parameters still include the basics of health, comfort and function, “esthetics” has recently become an integral portion of the overall goal. Most patients will not accept periodontal treatment without the perception of an acceptable esthetic outcome. The addition of “optimal esthetics” to the goal of periodontal therapy parallels a paradigm shift in all of dentistry.The word plastic means to mold or shape, therefore Periodontal Plastic Surgery literally means to mold or shape the tissues around the teeth or implant to create optimal esthetics. Periodontal Plastic Surgery is inclusive of surgical procedures to preventor correct anatomical, developmental, traumatic or plaque – induced defects of the gingiva, alveolar mucosa or bone.The addition of the word reconstructive (meaning to rebuild that which is missing) to the phrase periodontal plastic surgery better describes some of the procedures, such as root coverage, ridge augmentation & papillae reconstruction because missing tissues are being reconstructed rather than molding or shaping those tissues that already exist.