Periodontal Therapy
Periodontitis is a term used to describe the infection and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is caused by the bacteria that inhabit the oral cavity and can be localized to specific teeth or generalized to all the teeth in the mouth. Treating gum disease can include a deep cleaning of the tooth surfaces below the gums, medications prescribed to take by mouth or placed directly under the gums, and sometimes corrective surgery.
Since periodontitis is caused by the bacteria normally found in the mouth, you can't cure periodontitis, but you can manage the condition with proper home-care and dental cleanings.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States and it is estimated that nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Early signs and symptoms of gum disease can be difficult to catch on your own, which is why it is important to keep up with your 6 month dental visits – early detection and intervention is essential for successful treatment!
Scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is similar to a normal cleaning but also includes areas that may typically be overlooked. During an SRP, our team removes the bacteria and tartar underneath the gum line, treating periodontal disease right at the source during its early stages. During your cleaning appointment, we’ll first use an ultrasonic cleaner to break up and clear away any plaque and build up located around and below the gum line, and then gently smooth out the rough surfaces of the teeth’s roots. This will make plaque less likely to accumulate on the root surfaces and promote healing and reattachment of the gum tissue to the teeth, lowering your chances of gum disease progressing further.
Scaling and Root Planing
As periodontitis progresses, the pockets or spaces between the gums and teeth get deeper allowing bacteria and tartar build up to be more destructive to the the gums and bone supporting the teeth. For aggressive or chronic gum disease, a deep cleaning and antibiotic therapies may not give the desired results and osseous surgery may be recommended. The goal of osseous surgery, also known as pocket reduction surgery, is to remove the bacteria living in pockets and eliminate or minimize pocket depths created by gum disease.
If gum disease has destroyed the bone around your tooth, you may be evaluated for bone grafting to help stabilize the teeth within the jaws. Bone grafting may be used along with pocket reduction surgery and allows new bone to grow around the graft and help keep your tooth or teeth in place.
Osseous Surgery & Bone Grafting
Antibiotic Therapy
Depending on the severity and progression of gum disease and how you respond to initial treatment, it may be recommended to start antibiotic therapy to help you regulate the bacteria located deep below the gums. This can come in two forms: either a topical antibiotic that is applied directly to your gums or one that you’ll take in pill form. Afterward, you’ll be advised to come see us for more frequent dental cleanings to make sure your smile stays nice and healthy.
Dental Implants
While nothing is as good as your natural teeth, dental implants have quickly become a reliable and popular way to fill in gaps in a person’s smile. Implants mimic the the fit, feel, and function of a real tooth, by replacing the root portion of the missing tooth and creating a direct connection between the living bone of the jaw and the titanium metal implant. Whether you are missing a single tooth or need a full set of dentures, dental implants can help you reclaim your complete smile again.
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Dental implants are titanium screws that are placed in your jaw and used to support an abutment and crown. Most offices will need to refer you to an outside specialist for this procedure, but thanks to our in-house periodontist, Dr. Foley, we bring the specialist to you. Dr. Foley will complete your implant placement and one of our well trained dentists will restore the implant and place your new crown all in one place. If you have a referral from another doctor, we are also happy to work closely with both you and them to place your implant and get you ready for a beautiful new tooth with your preferred provider.
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More patients are discovering that dental implants are a durable and predictable way of replacing their missing teeth. Placing an implant is considered a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and to help our patients, we offer sedation to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure. Additionally, during the placement of the implant, you’ll be completely numb, so you won’t feel anything. As with most surgical treatment, you can expect there to be some discomfort during the healing process, but any post-operative discomfort can easily be managed with prescribed or over the counter pain relievers. Read below to learn more about the denture process:
Consultation: An implant consult serves several purposes. For starters, it allows the doctor to assess your oral health and determine if you are a candidate for dental implant placement. This appointment also allows you to meet our team of doctors and ask any questions you may have about dental implants, the procedure, or finances.
Dental Implant Surgery: After placing anesthetic and confirming that your are completely numb, a small hole is create for the placement of the implant into the jaw bone. Once the implant is placed, a protective cap will be added to cover the area while you heal.
Healing Period and Osseointegration: After your surgical appointment, natural healing will occur over several months. During this time, a process called osseointegration occurs, where your bone heals and attaches itself to the titanium dental implant, stabilizing the implant so it can withstand chewing and biting in the future.
Abutment and Final Restoration: Prior to the fabrication of your final crown, bridge, or denture, the healing cap is removed and an abutment is placed over the top of your dental implant. The abutment is tightened to the implant and ensures that the replacement prosthetic can be locked into place. Whether you’re receiving a dental crown, implant bridge or implant denture, the placement of the restoration will be the final step of the process. To ensure you have the best fit possible, we’ll work closely with the dental lab technicians to create a prosthetic that is just right for you.
Gingivectomy and Crown Lengthening
Overgrown or inflamed gum tissue is often the result of things like gum disease, medications, or genetics. A “gummy smile” will make the teeth appear shorter and can even allow bacteria to grow under the gums, keeping you from enjoying a healthy, vibrant smile. At Lone Star Smiles, our partner and periodontist Dr. Foley can reestablish the proper gum position with an easy, effective procedure known as a Gingivectomy.
Similar to a gingivectomy, crown lengthening is a procedure that reshapes your gums and also adjusts the height of the bone surrounding the tooth. Crown lengthening may be done to improve the appearance or your smile or to gain access for treatment on a tooth that is too short.
When performing either procedure, Dr. Foley will focus on your comfort and a pain-free experience by thoroughly numbing the treatment sites and carefully reshaping your gum line. A Gingivectomy will not only improve your state of periodontal health, but your confidence will also receive a boost!