Our Goal

Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality of care in a compassionate, comfortable and safe environment. In order to do this, we use the most current periodontal procedures, instruments, medications, and sterilization techniques.

We want you to be completely informed of your condition and encourage you to ask any questions you may have regarding your treatment and care.

Sterilization

We know that preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, herpes, hepatitis and even the cold virus is critical and our team takes sterilization very seriously. For this reason we use extensive sterilization procedures, going well beyond the guidelines recommended by the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control.

We use barrier techniques such as disposable masks and gloves and change them for every patient. Every piece of fixed operatory equipment is wiped-down with antibacterial solution prior to every clinical procedure. Sterile water delivery systems are utilized. We use autoclave sterilization for all instruments prior to dental examination and treatment. You can be assured that our staff has been specifically trained on sterilization procedures and their importance.

Patient Comfort

While no dental procedure is 100% comfortable, we go to great lengths to minimize any discomfort you might feel. Many of our patients make statements like, "This wasn't even painful? How did you do that?" We use some of the latest techniques to provide you with as comfortable an experience as possible. We also go slowly through every procedure to minimize pain or discomfort.

Pre-medication

Patient comfort is one of the most important aspects of care. Different patients have different needs for pain and anxiety control medication. Depending upon the procedure and your wishes, there are many medications we can prescribe.

Injections of Anesthesia

In the past, injections of dental anesthesia by others may have been uncomfortable. We recognize this and take extra care when preparing a patient for anesthetic. We use a topical ointment on your gums first, and then administer the injection very slowly and precisely to reduce the burning sensation that can be experienced. These techniques ensure our patients have minimal, if any, discomfort during this portion of care.

Special Equipment

We strive to stay on the leading edge of periodontal techniques and equipment. In order to do this, we take a great deal of continuing education. We also utilize advanced equipment in our office.

Basic Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is an infection that gets under the gums and causes inflammation. It then starts dissolving the jawbone which supports your teeth. Periodontal inflammation leads to tooth loss and contributes to other medical conditions. This infection must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There are generally two accepted treatments for this condition depending upon the severity of your infection.

Upper Level Infection Removal

The upper level of infection in the pockets around your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This procedure is called, “Scaling and Root Planing”, “Phase One Treatment” or “Initial Therapy”. It is done under local anesthesia and is quite different from the routine dental cleaning or “deep cleaning” that is traditionally done in the general dentist's office.

Lower Level Infection Removal

If your infection has spread into the bone which supports your teeth, and is below the level that can be reached in “Upper Level Infection Removal”, then a surgical procedure must be done to retract the gums and remove the lower level infection.

Crown Lengthening

When getting a new crown, the general dentist must prepare your tooth to receive the crown. Sometimes there is not enough tooth structure above the gum line to accept a new crown. “Crown lengthening” provides more tooth structure for your crown. This ensures a more stable crown with less gum irritation afterwards.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently recontours excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural tooth.

Bone Grafting

Your jawbone is what supports your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, periodontal disease dissolves parts of your jawbone. This causes bone loss and eventual loss of teeth. The first step is to halt the bone loss by removing the periodontal inflammation. Then we can repair the damage that has occurred. In many cases, various bone grafting techniques can be used to grow back some of the jawbone that was lost.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently opens the area. The doctor then removes any infectious material, repairs the bone damage, and finally fills in the damaged area with bone grafting material. In the next few weeks or months, this bone grafting material stimulates the bone to grow back.

Antibiotic Treatment

Some localized topical antibiotics can enhance your periodontal treatment. In certain circumstances, placement of antibiotic medicine can also reduce inflammation. This antibiotic therapy is always done in conjunction with scaling and root planing.

Procedure: Topical antibiotics are precisely placed in isolated areas to improve healing after the localized area is scaled and root planed. The results are then closely monitored during follow-up maintenance visits.

Dental Consequences of Periodontal Disease

75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal disease. When your gums and bone are damaged by periodontal infection, there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears, your teeth first become loose and then can be lost. When periodontal treatment is recommended, it is important to get started right away.

Natural Teeth Must Be Replaced

If the inflammation continues, you can start to lose your teeth one at a time. These lost teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as:

• Bridges
• Partial Dentures
• Full Dentures

Dentures

If tooth loss continues, it can lead to dentures. Many patients don't understand the full consequences of wearing dentures. There can be many problems with dentures including:

1. Inability to eat certain foods.
2. Inability to feel and taste foods.
3. Lisping or clacking when speaking.
4. Bad breath or smell.
5. Constant pain or discomfort.
6. Unnatural looking teeth.
7. Self-consciousness and embarrassment.
8. Looking old.
9. Having to take your dentures out at night for soaking.
10. Your spouse seeing you without teeth at night.

Medical Consequences of Periodontal Disease

"People think of gum disease in terms of their teeth, but they don't think about the fact that gum disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria into the bloodstream"
Dr. Robert Genco, editor Journal of Periodontology

Periodontal disease can also lead to inflammation. This inflammatory bacteria enters your bloodstream and then travels throughout your body. It can affect other parts of your body and has been linked with a number of medical conditions. It is important to treat periodontal disease as quickly as possible to avoid the release of bacteria and inflammation into your bloodstream.

Heart Disease & Heart Attack

Recent studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack.

Stroke

Studies have also shown that people with periodontal disease are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

Pre-Term Childbirth

Women with periodontal disease are 7-8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to a low birth-weight baby.

Diabetes

Periodontal infection can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment often results in a reduced need for insulin.

Respiratory Disease

Periodontal infection in the mouth can be breathed in and increase the severity of such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.

Periodontal Infection is a Medical Problem

Periodontal disease is no longer thought of as just a dental problem. Research is finding many correlations between periodontal infection and serious medical problems.

Your Infection Can Be Transmitted

Research using DNA testing has found that 80% of all periodontal disease comes from a parent or spouse. Patients with periodontal disease can pass their infection along to their loved ones.

Some Patients are At Higher Risk

Patients in certain higher risk categories (see below) should pay particular attention to any signs of periodontal disease.

Those patients having a personal or family history of:

• Heart Disease
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Premature Childbirth
• Diabetes
• Respiratory Diseases

Those patients having higher risk lifestyles, including:

• Chronic Stress
• Smoker
• Sedentary and Overweight
• Frequent Colds, Flu, etc.

Higher Risk Patients

If you have been told you have periodontal infection (or have some of its symptoms), it is vital that you seek evaluation and treatment.

In Conclusion

Every procedure is done with your comfort and safety in mind. We work closely with your general dentist to ensure you get the best possible care. Please feel free to ask questions before, during, or after any of these procedures.