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Non-Surgical Therapy
Many times, the early stages of
periodontal disease are best treated with
non-surgical periodontal therapy. This usually
consists of good oral hygiene training, scaling and
root planning and antibiotic therapy. Scaling and
root planning is done under local anesthesia and
involves the use of special instruments which go
beneath the gum line to effectively remove calculus,
debris and diseased root surface. These procedures
are performed by our hygiene team of dental
professionals. 4 to 6 weeks or later, the areas are
reevaluated for changes such as decreased bleeding,
tissue swelling, probing scores and has there been
any re-attachment of the tissues to the tooth.
In some cases, the occlusion (bite) may require
adjustment.
Even in most severe cases of periodontal disease,
non-surgical periodontal therapy most often precedes
surgical therapy. This is done so that the overall
tissue quality is improved prior to surgery and also
limits the areas of required surgery.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums are
present, it is difficult for you as a patient to
thoroughly remove plaque and tarter. Patients can
seldom, if ever, keep these pockets clean and free
of plaque. Consequently, surgery may be needed to
restore periodontal health if non-surgical
treatments are not entirely effective.
Antibiotics may be recommended to help control the
growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause
periodontitis. In some cases, our doctors may place
antibiotics locally in the periodontal pockets after
scaling. This may be done to control infection and
to encourage normal healing.
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Periodontal Plastic Surgery
Periodontal
procedures are available to lay the groundwork for
restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or improve
the esthetics of your gum line.
You may have asked your periodontist about
procedures to improve a "gummy" smile because your
teeth appear short. Your teeth may actually be the
proper length, but they're covered with too much gum
tissue. To correct this, your periodontist performs
crown lengthening.
During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is
reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This
can be done to one tooth, to even your gum line, or
to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile
(see photo section).
Your dentist or periodontist may also recommend
crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic
dental procedure possible. Perhaps your tooth is
decayed, broken below the gum line, or has
insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such
as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the
gum and bone levels to expose more of the tooth so
it can be restored.What are the
benefits of this procedure?
Whether you have crown lengthening to improve
function or esthetics, patients often receive the
benefits of both. A beautiful new smile and improved
periodontal health - your keys to smiling, eating
and speaking with comfort and confidence.
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Before
Periodontal Plastic Surgery
After
Periodontal Plastic
Surgery |
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Gum Grafting
Periodontal procedures
are available to stop further dental problems and
gum recession, and/or to improve the esthetics of
your gum line.
Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession
(with bone loss). Perhaps you wish to enhance your
smile by covering one or more of these roots that
make your teeth appear too long (see photo section).
Or, maybe you're not bothered by the appearance of
these areas, but you cringe because the exposed
roots are sensitive to hot or cold foods and
liquids.
Your gums may have receded for a variety of reasons,
including aggressive tooth brushing or periodontal
disease. You may not be in control of what caused
the recession, but prior to treatment your
periodontist will help you identify the factors
contributing to the problem. Once these contributing
factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft
procedure can repair the defect and help to prevent
additional recession and bone loss.
Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or
develop gum tissue which is absent due to excessive
gingival recession. Many times the graft may also be
used to stop the recession and not necessarily
cover the exposed root. During this procedure, your
periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or
another donor source to cover the exposed root. This
can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even
your gum line and reduce sensitivity.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
A soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and
bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots
to protect them from decay; this may reduce tooth
sensitivity and improve esthetics of your smile. A
beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health
- your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with
comfort and confidence. |
Before Gum Graft
After Gum Graft
Before Gum Graft
After Gum Graft |
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Bone
Regeneration The main cause of
periodontal disease is bacteria in the form of a
sticky, colorless plaque that constantly forms on
your teeth. However, many factors can cause
periodontal disease or influence its progression.
Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around
your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When
you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue
and bone is destroyed and pockets develop.
Eventually, too much bone is lost, and the teeth
need to be extracted.
Your periodontist has recommended a regenerative
procedure because the bone supporting your teeth has
been destroyed. These procedures can reverse some
of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue.
During this procedure, your periodontist folds back
the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing
bacteria. Membranes (filters), bone grafts or
tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage
your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and
tissue.
As you can see,
there are many options to enhance support for your
teeth and to restore your bone to a healthy level.
Your periodontist will discuss your best options
with you.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone
and tissue helps to reduce pocket depth and repair
damage caused by the progression of periodontal
disease. With a combination of daily oral hygiene
and professional maintenance care, you'll increase
the chances of keeping your natural teeth - and
decrease the chances of serious health problems
associated with periodontal disease.
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Pocket Depth Reduction
The main cause of
periodontal disease is bacteria in the form of a
sticky, colorless plaque that constantly forms on
your teeth. However, many factors can cause
periodontal disease or influence its progression.
Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around
your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When
you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue
and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the
teeth.
Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a
larger space for bacteria to live. As bacteria
develop around the teeth, they can accumulate and
advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets
collect even more bacteria, resulting in further
bone and tissue loss. Eventually, too much bone is
lost, and the teeth need to be extracted.
Your periodontist has measured the depth of your
pocket(s). A pocket reduction procedure has been
recommended because you have pockets that are too
deep to clean with daily at-home oral hygiene and a
professional care routine.
During this procedure, your periodontist folds back
the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing
bacteria before securing the tissue into place. In
some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone
are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing
bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to
better reattach to healthy bone.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing
bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by
the progression of periodontal disease and to
maintain a healthy smile. Eliminating bacteria alone
may not be sufficient to prevent disease recurrence.
Deeper pockets are
more difficult for you and your dental care
professional to clean, so it's important for you to
reduce them. Reduced pockets and a combination of
daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care
increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth
- and decrease your chances of serious health
problems associated with periodontal disease.
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Crown Lengthening
Periodontal procedures
are available to lay the groundwork for restorative
and cosmetic dentistry and/or to improve the health
and esthetics of your smile (see photo section).
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that
recontours the gum tissue and often the underlying
bone surrounding one or more teeth so that an
adequate amount of healthy tooth is exposed. Crown
lengthening is often used as part of a treatment
plan for a tooth that is to be fitted with a crown.
This procedure provides the necessary space between
the supporting bone and crown, preventing the new
crown from damaging gum tissues and bone.
Your dentist or periodontist may also recommend
crown lengthening in order to make a restorative
procedure possible. If a tooth is badly worn,
decayed or fractured below the gum line, crown
lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to gain
access to more of the tooth so it can be restored. |
Enlarge
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What are the benefits of this procedure?
Functional crown lengthening is an important part of
an integrated effort to optimize your health,
appearance, comfort and function. A beautiful new
smile and improved periodontal health are your keys
to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and
confidence.
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