Periodontal Services

The quality of our clinical work and patient care has always been our main priority, and we strive to achieve continuous improvement and excel in our operations. Our talented, dedicated professionals are specialized in periodontal plastic and reconstructive surgery, dental implants, periodontal medicine and oral hygiene services. We look forward to continuing the tradition of providing the best periodontal therapy and implant surgery.

Your First Visit

We thrive to provide the best periodontal treatment for our patients. By the time you have entered, we have worked with your general dentist to make sure the best service will be provided according to your needs.

After reviewing your health history with you, we start with a thorough oral examination and periodontal evaluation. If necessary x-rays will be taken. At the first appointment we will try to provide you with a general overview of the nature of your condition and the available treatment options. We explain to you the benefits and disadvantages of your different options, so that you could make an educated decision.

A comprehensive report of your condition will be sent to your dentist within 14 days.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive periodontal treatment in a comfortable, safe and caring environment. We thrive to provide you the best service and we will never compromise the quality of our work.

Common Procedures and Services Include:

Conservative Periodontal Therapy (Non-Surgical):

• Oral Hygiene Instruction
• Prophy: Simple cleaning of the teeth above the gum
• Periodontal Scaling and root planning: Deep cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum using anesthesia
• Systemic or local antibiotic therapy
• Periodontal Maintenance: Recall

Conventional Periodontal Surgery:

• Osseous (gum) Surgery: Getting access to the diseased areas via surgery to remove the inflamed and chronically infected tissue and the jaw bone that are not supporting the tooth
• Alveoloplasty: Reshaping of the jaw bone prior to fabrication of the dentures for a better and more comfortable fit
• Soft Tissue (gum) Graft: A procedure in which the receded gum will be repaired to cover the root
• Frenectomy and Gingivectomy: Removing the excess gum and muscle following the orthodontic therapy (braces) or in cases of medication induced overgrowth of the gum

Reconstructive and Regenerative Periodontal Surgery:

• Bone Regeneration: Restoring the jaw bone around the teeth to prevent tooth loss with bone graft and membrane
• Ridge (Jaw Bone) Augmentation: Modifying the width of the jaw bone for esthetics, or creating an ideal condition for implant placement
• Sinus Lift: A procedure in which the floor of the sinus will be lifted to graft the area with bone to create an ideal condition for placement of the implants in the upper jaw in cases of severe bone loss
• Dental Implant Placement: A state of art dental therapy for the replacement of the missing teeth without damaging the neighboring dentitions

Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery:

• Crown Lengthening: A procedure done before the placement of the crown to create enough of sound tooth structure for the general dentist or if you have gummy smile this procedure will help you to get your dream smile
• Root coverage Surgery: A procedure in which the receding gum will be corrected for the esthetic reason

What are Periodontal Diseases?

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed. In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Following are some of the procedures that periodontists use to treat patients diagnosed with a periodontal (gum) disease. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria in the form of a sticky, colorless plaque that constantly forms on your teeth; however, many other factors can cause periodontal (gum) disease or influence its progression.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums:

Smoking/Tobacco Use

As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that tobacco users also are at increased risk for periodontal disease. In fact, recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

Genetics

Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

Pregnancy and Puberty

As a woman, you know that your health needs are unique. You know that brushing and flossing daily, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are all important to help you stay in shape. You also know that at specific times in your life, you need to take extra care of yourself. Times when you mature and change, for example, puberty or menopause, and times when you have special health needs, such as menstruation or pregnancy. During these particular times, your body experiences hormonal changes.

These changes can affect many of the tissues in your body, including your gums. Your gums can become sensitive, and at times react strongly to the hormonal fluctuations. This may make you more susceptible to gum disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that pregnant women with gum disease are seven times more likely to deliver preterm, low birth weight babies.

Stress

As you probably already know, stress is linked to many serious conditions such as hypertension, cancer, and numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that stress also is a risk factor for periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

Medications

Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health. Just as you notify your pharmacist and other health care providers of all medicines you are taking and any changes in your overall health, you should also inform your dental care provider.

Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Is your jaw sore from clenching your teeth when you're taking a test or solving a problem at work? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin production (a hormone that is the key component in the body's ability to use blood sugars) or the body's inability to use insulin correctly. If you are diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases. These infections can impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin, which may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.

Poor Nutrition

As you may already know, a diet low in important nutrients can compromise the body's immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off infection. Because periodontal disease is a serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums.

Types of Periodontal Disease

There are many forms of periodontal disease. The most common ones include the following:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good at home oral care.

Mild Periodontitis

If gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In the mild stage, periodontal diseases begin to destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Moderate to Advanced Periodontitis

Moderate to advanced periodontitis develops if earlier forms of the disease like gingivitis and mild periodontitis are left untreated. This is the most advanced form of the disease in which extensive bone and tissue loss occurs.

Aggressive Periodontitis

Aggressive periodontitis occurs in adolescents and is characterized by the rapid loss of bone around permanent teeth. It is characterized by marked inflammation and heavy accumulations of plaque and calculus. Pockets can form around the affected teeth, filling with infection. If not treated early, infection can lead to bone loss which may cause the teeth to become loose.

Systematic Disease

Research needs to be done to say definitively that people with periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, preterm births and respiratory disease, periodontists do know that periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern. Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting that this may:

• Contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death.
• Increase the risk of stroke.
• Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.
• Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases, or osteoporosis.