Preventative & Maintenance Family Dentistry for Better Health
Preventative Cleanings
Routine dental cleanings and exams are recommended every six months. Our dental hygienists will remove plaque from your teeth, underneath the gum line and between teeth. Then, we clean your teeth and apply fluoride that will continue to protect your teeth and your smile.
Periodontal Maintenance
A routine procedure used to control and minimize the progression of periodontal (gum) disease in patients with a history of bone loss and gum disease.
Non-Surgical Scaling & Root Planing
Even when periodontal disease is in a fairly advanced stage, it is possible to improve or even reverse the condition with non-surgical procedures. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, one of these approaches may be suggested by your doctor:
Scaling & Root Planing
This process involves the scraping and removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth surface. Scaling done at regular teeth cleanings usually involves the crown of the tooth. However, in cases where calculus is detectable below the gum tissue on x-rays, it is necessary to go further below the gum line to thoroughly remove disease-causing bacteria and its by-products on the root surface. In very advanced cases, flap surgery or gingivectomy may be necessary to allow the doctor free access to the infected tooth root.
After the thorough cleaning of the tooth surface has been completed above and below the gum line, the root of the tooth undergoes a process called planing. This is a process of smoothing the root of the tooth so that any remaining tartar is removed. This also serves two other purposes: it clears away any rough areas that bacteria below the gum line thrive in, and it makes it much easier for the gingival (gum) tissue to re-attach itself to the tooth, effectively reducing the size of the pockets that the plaque and bacteria hide in. This re-growth of tissue is key in stopping a recurrence of gum disease and happens very quickly once the calculus has been removed.
Soft Tissue Grafting
Aggressive tooth brushing or periodontal disease can lead to gum recession, which ultimately results in exposed tooth roots. When tooth roots are exposed, teeth appear too long and can become sensitive to hot and cold liquids and foods. Also, the exposed roots are in danger of decay.
Soft tissue grafts are available to repair this problem as well as prevent further recession, bone loss or decay. The procedure covers the roots where excessive gum recession is present. Gum tissue is taken from your palate or from another donor source to cover the exposed root, thus, evening your gum line and reducing sensitivity levels.
Surgical Pocket Reduction
A surgical technique used to combat periodontal disease by reshaping the soft tissue around a tooth to facilitate routine cleaning. Reducing periodontal pockets around teeth eliminates the environment for harmful bacterial to grow and will reduce the progression of periodontal disease.
Crown Lengthening & Gingivectomy
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum and supporting tissues to expose more of the tooth. This procedure can be used for aesthetic reasons to repair teeth that appear too short or “gummy smiles” and uneven gum lines.
It is also commonly performed on patients to repair a tooth that is fractured or decayed below the gum line. By reshaping the gum and supporting tissue, the fractured or decayed area becomes more accessible and gives us the needed space to establish the restoration.
With crown lengthening, patients reap the benefits of both enhanced function and aesthetics. Their overall periodontal health improves along with letting the natural beauty of their smile shine through.
