Nonsurgical Therapy

• Scaling and Root Planing

  Scaling is a type of cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and slightly below the gum line. Root Planing smooths root surfaces, so the supportive tissues can better reattach to the tooth surface. Your periodontist may use local anesthesia because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning.

• Arestin/ Antibiotics

  Patients may receive antibiotics in either a pill form, as a tiny fiber or as a gel. Since bacteria causes periodontal disease, antibiotics are applied directly to the infected pocket to help sterilize the area and removed 7-10 days later.

• Bite Correction

  An increase in bone destruction can often occur due to an imbalance of the bite. You may be given a removable device that fits over upper or lower teeth to protect tooth surfaces and relax tense jaw muscles. This device is called a bite guard (sometimes referred to as a night guard). Your bite could also be adjusted so that your teeth meet properly and function better.

Surgical Therapy

When the infection is too advanced and pockets are too deep to be reached by scaling and root planing, surgical intervention is then necessary.

• Osseous Surgery

  This procedure is used to correct defects in the bone due to moderate or severe bone loss. The periodontist gently separates the gum from the tooth, creating a "flap" and access to the infected area. The gum is lifted in order to remove infection as well as deep deposits of plaque and tartar which scaling and root planing can not reach. After gaining access to the damaged bone, your periodontist reshapes the bone around the tooth to decrease the defects. It also reduces the size of the pocket and the areas where bacteria can grow.

• Bone Graft

  A procedure that promotes bone regrowth, restoring stability of your teeth. Small fragments of graft material are packed into the areas where bone has been lost. The bone may come from your own mouth, synthetic bone, or a bone bank. The gum is then closed and new bone growth is stimulated by the graft. New bone tissue fills in the defect providing strong support for the tooth.

• Soft Tissue Graft

  When the gums have receded or are too thin a soft tissue graft is added to fill in the areas to reinforce the gums. Thin recessed gums expose root surfaces which can be covered with graft tissue to prevent further recession and to improve your appearance. Tissue to be grafted usually is taken from the roof of the mouth and then sutured in place over the affected area.

• Guided Tissue Regeneration

  An artificial membrane is inserted between the gum and the bone graft material to ensure proper healing. The membrane blocks unwanted tissue, allowing ligament fibers to regrow and bone to reform healthier supportive bone.

• Crown Lengthening

  Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure performed to expose sound tooth structure which lies under the gum line. This procedure is often necessary prior to restoring a tooth. Often without this procedure a well fitting restoration cannot be fabricated.

• Cosmetic Surgery

  Cosmetic surgery is a term used in dentistry that includes several surgical procedures that are designed to improve your smile and overall appearance.

  Sometimes the level and shape of the gum has to be changed to properly fit caps, or other cosmetic dental procedures such as bonding and laminate veneers. These procedures may require reshaping of the gum and/or the bone. Many gum procedures are performed with laser surgery which does not require stitches. Rarely is there any bleeding, swelling, or post-operative discomfort.

  If you are not happy with the appearance of your teeth or gums, discuss these matters with your dentist or contact us for a thorough evaluation.

• Biopsy

  There may be occasions when a clinical oral examination by one of our periodontists or dental hygienists detects a lump or growth in the soft tissues of the mouth. Common sense dictates that all such lesions should be removed and examined under a microscope in order to make an accurate diagnosis. We use the CO₂ laser to perform 99% of the biopsies in our office. This allows for a bloodless and painfree post operative period and sutures are usually not necessary.

Dental Implants

Whenever teeth are missing either due to previous extractions or extractions which are part of your current treatment plan, dental implants should be considered as one of your replacement options. The feasibilty of using implants to replace missing teeth must be evaluated using several diagnostic factors. An extensive evaluation of these factors and how they apply to your dental condition will be discussed prior to the start of any treatment plan using implants to replace missing teeth.

• Bone Augmentation
  1. Ridge Graft
     If your jawbone does not contain the necessary amount of bone to hold an implant, a bone graft and tissue regeneration can be done. A bone graft that increases the height or width of the jawbone is known as a ridge graft.
  2. Sinus Graft
     A sinus graft can be performed in which bone is actually placed into the sinus in such a way to form new bone that is able to adequately support dental implants. This procedure is often called a sinus lift, and has become very common and predictable.

Laser Therapy

We have been using a C0₂ surgical laser since 1990 for many of our periodontal surgical procedures. Laser surgery has the following advantages over the traditional scalpel.

• The laser usually allows for a bloodless surgical procedure. We can usually avoid using sutures, therefore post-surgical visits are not necessary for the removal of sutures
• Lasers are safe and effective
• The laser sterilizes as it removes tissue
• Swelling is usually minimal or entirely absent
• A laser works without leaving a scar in the mouth

Although most laser procedures require local anesthetic (Novocaine) most patients report that post-surgical recovery is fast and painless.