Periodontics

Periodontal Disease: Is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque then turns into an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar (calculus) accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as Gingivitis. When it is left untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Bad breath and bleeding gums are a few early warning signals, but most often there are no symptoms. The disease advances silently, often without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth and you don't know why. Scientific research has discovered a link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes - there is even a more increased risk for pregnant women. With the presence of gum disease, your entire immune system is weakened.

Scaling and Root Planing: In order to take care of your teeth after having perdiontal (gum) disease you will have to go through scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is the removal of the dental tartar and calculus from the root surface. As a non-surgical procedure, scaling and planing is performed with local anesthesia, in the dentist’s office. Deep scaling and root planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment (upper right/left, lower right/left). This allows for adequate healing time, and reduces the time for each appointment.

Gingival/Gum Grafting: Gingival grafting is a procedure when gum tissue is restored to its natural and healthy state. Using soft gum tissue from the roof of the mouth, the receded gums are grafted. This grafting encourages new tissue growth that will enable the gums to return to its original position around the teeth. The procedure is routine and entails a minimal amount of downtime and discomfort.

Crown Lengthening: Crown lengthening is a routine surgical procedure, which remodels the contour of the gum line and bone level around a tooth. When there is not enough tooth structure to affix a crown, this is the only option; especially when a tooth has been broken below the gum line. In this instance, crown lengthening is very successful in exposing more of the tooth 


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