+BOARD CERTIFIED IN PERIODONTOLOGY AND DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY+

Jennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSD

Jennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSDJennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSDJennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSD
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:PERIODONTAL SERVICES:
  • Comfort & Sedation
  • Scaling and Root Planing
  • Osseous Surgery
  • Laser Therapy
  • Crown Lengthening
  • Soft Tissue Grafting
  • Extractions/Bone Grafting
  • Orthodontic Exposures
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  • 3D Advanced Imaging
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  • :HOME:
  • :PERIODONTAL DISEASE:
    • What is this disease?
    • Mouth-Body Connection
    • Preventing Gum Disease
    • When To Visit Us
  • :PATIENT INFORMATION:
    • Your First Visit
    • Scheduling
    • Insurance
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Pre-Surgery Instructions
    • Post-Surgery Instructions
  • :PERIODONTAL SERVICES:
    • Comfort & Sedation
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Osseous Surgery
    • Laser Therapy
    • Crown Lengthening
    • Soft Tissue Grafting
    • Extractions/Bone Grafting
    • Orthodontic Exposures
    • Platelet-Rich Therapy
    • Teeth Cleaning
    • Periodontal Maintenance
  • :IMPLANTS:
    • 3D Advanced Imaging
    • Sinus Augmentations
    • Implant Placements

Jennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSD

Jennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSDJennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSDJennifer K Fiorica, DMD, MSD
:HOME:
:PERIODONTAL DISEASE:
  • What is this disease?
  • Mouth-Body Connection
  • Preventing Gum Disease
  • When To Visit Us
:PATIENT INFORMATION:
  • Your First Visit
  • Scheduling
  • Insurance
  • Dental Emergencies
  • Pre-Surgery Instructions
  • Post-Surgery Instructions
:PERIODONTAL SERVICES:
  • Comfort & Sedation
  • Scaling and Root Planing
  • Osseous Surgery
  • Laser Therapy
  • Crown Lengthening
  • Soft Tissue Grafting
  • Extractions/Bone Grafting
  • Orthodontic Exposures
  • Platelet-Rich Therapy
  • Teeth Cleaning
  • Periodontal Maintenance
:IMPLANTS:
  • 3D Advanced Imaging
  • Sinus Augmentations
  • Implant Placements
More
  • :HOME:
  • :PERIODONTAL DISEASE:
    • What is this disease?
    • Mouth-Body Connection
    • Preventing Gum Disease
    • When To Visit Us
  • :PATIENT INFORMATION:
    • Your First Visit
    • Scheduling
    • Insurance
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Pre-Surgery Instructions
    • Post-Surgery Instructions
  • :PERIODONTAL SERVICES:
    • Comfort & Sedation
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Osseous Surgery
    • Laser Therapy
    • Crown Lengthening
    • Soft Tissue Grafting
    • Extractions/Bone Grafting
    • Orthodontic Exposures
    • Platelet-Rich Therapy
    • Teeth Cleaning
    • Periodontal Maintenance
  • :IMPLANTS:
    • 3D Advanced Imaging
    • Sinus Augmentations
    • Implant Placements
  • :HOME:
  • :PERIODONTAL DISEASE:
  • :PATIENT INFORMATION:
  • :PERIODONTAL SERVICES:
  • :IMPLANTS:

FREE GINGIVAL GRAFTING

PURPOSE

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

Gingival recession is defined as a mucogingival deformity and condition that results in exposure of root surface. The main consequences of gingival recession include: 

  • Root sensitivity
  • Esthetic concerns
  • Loss of periodontal support
  • Increased risk of root decay

If your periodontist has decided that you have no protective zone of attached tissue beneath the root structure, a free gingival graft will be treatment planned. 


A free gingival graft is a thin piece of tissue taken from the roof of your mouth to be placed beneath the area of recession. The purpose is to thicken the underlying thin tissue and to prevent future recession.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

  • Approximately 1 hour of surgical time with the use of a local anesthetic. 
  • First, the surgical site is prepared beneath the area of recession called a "bed prep." The overlying thin mucosal tissue is removed to create a blood supply.
  • Then, a thin piece of tissue (free gingival graft) is taken from the palate (roof of the mouth) and a double-layer collagen dressing is placed with the use of an adhesive fibrin glue.
  • Finally, the free gingival graft is perfectly contoured to fit within the bed beneath the root and sutured in place with resorbable stitches.
  • You will return for a post-operative visit in two weeks to check on healing and reinstruct oral hygiene. 

RECOVERY TIME

PROCEDURE DETAILS

RECOVERY TIME

Approximately 2-3 days. Every patient differs on level of discomfort depending on the extent of the graft site. 

PRE-TREATMENT

POST-TREATMENT

RECOVERY TIME

image99

The photo above shows gingival recession with thin tissue and no protective zone of attached tissue below the root structure. The lip is directly attached to the roots and recession will continue to progress if no treatment is performed. 

POST-TREATMENT

POST-TREATMENT

POST-TREATMENT

image100

A free gingival graft has been placed below the exposed root structure to provide thickness and added protection from future recession.

Minimally Invasive Root Coverage

PURPOSE

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

Gingival recession is defined as a mucogingival deformity and condition that results in exposure of root surface. The main consequences of gingival recession include: 

  • Root sensitivity
  • Esthetic concerns
  • Loss of periodontal support
  • Increased risk of root decay

If you and your periodontist have decided that it is necessary to cover the exposed root structure, a root coverage procedure will be designed specifically for you. If a free gingival graft has been treatment planned, it will be performed prior to root coverage and will need to heal for a total of 8 weeks. 


A minimally invasive root coverage procedure involves minimal to no incisions with the use of a donor tissue graft (allograft) to successfully thicken and cover the exposed root structure.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

  • Approximately 1-2 hours of surgical time with the use of a local anesthetic. 
  • First, a thin tunnel is created beneath the exposed roots to allow for stretching of the gum tissue. 
  • A donor tissue graft is then carefully placed within the tunnel. 
  • Finally, the tunnel and donor tissue is positioned over the exposed roots and sutured in place. 
  • You will return for a post-operative visit in two weeks to check on healing and reinstruct oral hygiene. 

RECOVERY TIME

PROCEDURE DETAILS

RECOVERY TIME

Approximately 2-3 days. Every patient differs on level of discomfort depending on the extent of the graft site. 

PRE-TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

RECOVERY TIME

image101

Exposed root structure is shown above and was an esthetic concern. 

DURING TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

image102

A minimally invasive tunnel was created with an underlying donor tissue graft to thicken and carefully position the tissue over exposed root structure. 

POST-TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

image103

Root structure is completely covered and no longer an esthetic issue. 

FRENECTOMIES

PURPOSE

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

A naturally occurring muscle attachment normally seen between the front teeth (upper or lower) is called a frenum. Any combination of thin tissue,  lack of attached tissue, or muscle pull may cause gingival recession to occur. A large frenum may even prevent teeth from joining harmoniously together. A frenectomy is removal and release of this muscle attachment in order to assist in avoiding future recession and gaps between teeth.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

PROCEDURE DETAILS

  • 15-30 minutes with the use of a local anesthetic.
  • The surgical release is either performed with a small incision or the use of a laser. Your periodontist will decide which treatment option is best for you. 
  • A post-operative visit will be scheduled at two weeks post-frenectomy to observe the healing and reinstruct oral hygiene.

RECOVERY TIME

PROCEDURE DETAILS

RECOVERY TIME

Approximately 1 day. 

PRE-TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

RECOVERY TIME

image104

The frenum (or muscle) attachment has created a separation (or diastema) between the front teeth.

DURING TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

T

The frenum attachment has been removed and braces placed. 

POST-TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

DURING TREATMENT

image105

The braces have been removed and diastema is now closed with the muscle no longer impinging on teeth.