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Consultation
Your periodontal consultation will include a full periodontal evaluation of soft tissue to determine if there is any infection, redness, puffiness, deep pocketing, or mobility of the teeth. The doctor will evaluate the x-rays sent by your general dentist (if pertinent to your case) and perhaps take some additional x-rays if needed. Additional x-rays may be required during the examination or in treatment. Our office uses DEXIS digital radiography system. This advanced system allows us to view your case in great detail through magnification and enhancements that aid in accurately diagnosing your case. The doctor will take a moment to diagnose your case and give his recommendations for treatment. He will dictate a letter to your general dentist indicating the findings, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We will return any original x-rays along with the letter to your dentist.
Non-Surgical Treatment
The first step in treating periodontal disease is a specialty cleaning called scaling and root planing. This procedure involves the removal of plaque and tartar deposits on the tooth and root surfaces. A local anesthesia is administered and special dental tools are used to remove tartar and plaque. This is usually completed in two separate sessions.
You will be asked to return to our office several weeks after the scaling and root planing to determine how you have responded to the treatment.
The less severe case will show good resolution and will most likely go into a maintenance program which will require frequent cleanings in our office until your case has stabilized. Once the case has stabilized we will alternate cleaning between us and your general dentist or return to your general dentist completely.
Surgical Therapy
When deep pockets develop, it is difficult to completely remove plaque and tartar even with deep scaling and daily oral hygiene. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce the deep pockets and make teeth easier to keep clean.
Surgery will allow the doctor to access the hard to reach areas that require the removal of tartar and plaque and smooth the bone where bacteria harbors. The gums are sutured back into position making the tissue snug around the tooth.
Bone surgery, including bone grafts, may be used to rebuild or reshape the bone that has been destroyed by periodontal disease. Splints, bite guards or other appliances may be used to stabilize loose teeth. If extensive gum tissue has been lost, a gum graft may be performed.
Crown Lengthening
Many times your general dentist finds that if a tooth is severely broken down because of fracturing or decay it is necessary to expose more surface tooth structure so the tooth can properly be restored with a filling or crown. Your dentist may request that we perform a surgical procedure in order to move the gum tissue higher on the upper teeth and lower on the lower teeth so that he has more tooth structure to place your final dental restoration. On occasion this can simply be done by surgically removing gum tissue. In other instances it may require the removal of a minor amount of bone in order to properly place the gum tissue at the desired level. These sites are allowed to heal for a few weeks after which, your dentist will be able to place the permanent crown or filling.
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Esthetic Surgery
A number of cosmetic procedures can be provided in order to improve the appearance as well as the health of your mouth. One such procedure is a cosmetic crown lengthening or gum lift where the periodontist will surgically remove gum tissue and sometimes bone in order to expose more tooth structure. This can greatly enhance your smile. In other instances where recession has occurred the periodontist can do gum grafting procedures in order to cover up areas where roots have been exposed with the outcome being an improvement in your smile.
Dental Implant Surgery
For over 20 years our office has been involved in the surgical aspects of dental implant therapy. Dental implants have revolutionized dental therapy and offer to many patients, treatment for the replacement of many teeth or better anchorage to be utilized for dentures. Dr. Smith and Dr. Price will work very closely with your restorative dentist in order to ensure optimum results from your dental implant therapy. Many times teeth can be extracted and implants placed at the same time. In other instances, implants can be placed at sites where teeth have been removed years ago. We also have creative techniques to temporarily restore the implants so that you can fulfill the esthetic requirements of having teeth while your implants are healing. Please feel free to talk to our staff about the many options that are offered for implant dentistry including but not limited to the replacement of single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth with fixed bridge work, as well as implants to anchor full dentures. Dr. Smith and Dr. Price have been involved with the placement of dental implants for a number of patients in the dental field. He and our staff will ensure that the same degree of exacting precision is utilized in your particular care.
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