Information on Periodontal and Implant Surgery in Cosmetically Sensitive Areas

After careful oral examination by Dr. Fulton, and/or your restorative dentist, periodontal surgery / implants have been recommended in the anterior (front) regions of your mouth to facilitate further dental and restorative management. The healing of surgical procedures is not an exact science and although we will do our utmost to achieve an ultimate result for you, no absolute guarantees as to the final result can be made. Reasonable expectations are made at the time of any surgical procedures and the best possible efforts will be made to achieve a favorable result. In cases where we are attempting to recover exposed roots, we will endeavor to maximize the amount of root coverage possible, but again no absolute guarantees can be made in terms of complete coverage of the root surface. In areas where flap surgery is required, there is the risk of increasing spaces between teeth; it is the shrinkage of the gum on healing that can result in the and again it is not an exact science. Supplemental procedures may be necessary, for which there would be additional costs incurred and possibly additional surgical procedures, the implication of which would be reviewed prior to proceeding with that form of treatment as well. In addition, many cosmetically sensitive procedures are not due to a disease process, but are done in the interest of obtaining a better cosmetic or aesthetic result of the patient. Alternatives to suggested treatment include the option of no treatment if you feel that the risks involved are unacceptable to you, or you are not prepared to accept the less than optimal healing or results. Of particular concern in cosmetically sensitive areas is the issue of smoking and oral hygiene; unless there is elimination of smoking and optimal oral hygiene, the success of any periodontal cosmetic surgical procedures an be adversely affected. In cases where there is a significant amount of restorative dentistry to also be completed after the surgery, the quality of the restorative care rendered will have a significant impact on the long-term health of the periodontal tissues and the stability of any surgical results that we achieve. As we have no control over this aspect of your care, we cannot accept any responsibility for the implications to periodontal health as a result of that restorative treatment. As with all procedures, we will make our utmost attempt to achieve as suitable and optimal a result as possible within the limits of sound biologic and therapeutic principles. If you require additional information at any time, please feel free to contact our office.

Taking care of yourself before Periodontal Treatment:
Eat a nutritious meals the night before and the day of the appointment.
Avoid the ise of alcoholic beverages
Of taking full doses of Aspirin (325mg) for medical reasons, please discontinue one week prior. Low doses of Aspirin (81mg) are fine.

One hour before the appointment:
Take Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) if recommended
            400mg for an Adult and 200mg for children under twelve.
            Or
            Tylenol #1 for a child under twelve.

You should plan on resting for the remainder of the appointment day.