Brides-to-be may want to visit a periodontist to ensure a beautiful and healthy wedding-day smile....

Periodontists Can Help Brides Achieve Gleaming Wedding Smiles

Periodontists offer a variety of cosmetic periodontal procedures for brides insecure about smiling in front of the camera.

CHICAGO – September 13, 1999 – Prepare the guest list . . . Choose the wedding dress . . . Schedule the photographer . . . Visit the periodontist . . ? Yes, brides-to-be may want to consider adding a visit to the periodontist to their wedding timelines to ensure a beautiful and healthy wedding-day smile.

Periodontists offer a variety of cosmetic periodontal procedures for brides insecure about smiling in front of the camera.

Emerging research in esthetic and regenerative periodontal procedures enables periodontists to provide patients with treatment alternatives for imperfections such as "gummy" smiles and missing teeth that are functional and esthetically pleasing.

Before Treatment
Before
Treatment		 After Treatment
After
Treatment
Click for enlarged photos.

"Long gums can create a gummy smile," said Dr. Robert Schoor, president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "To correct this, the periodontist simply reshapes the gum tissue, exposing the rest of the tooth."

Stress and hormonal fluctuations during wedding planning can affect many tissues, including gum tissue, and increase susceptibility to periodontal disease. "Stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal disease," said Schoor.

In addition, oral contraceptives and pregnancy cause hormonal changes, which can negatively impact oral health. Women who are planning to become pregnant need to know that their periodontal health can affect their babies. "Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small," said Schoor.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Something To Smile About: Periodontal Cosmetic Procedures to Enhance Your Smile are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.

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