What Causes Gum Recession and How it is Treated

In our office, we treat gum recession on a regular basis and as such, are able to help our patients feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of bone and tooth loss that can come from a receding gum line.  Healthy gums are essential to the overall health of the mouth.  While most people focus their attention on the health of teeth, without the gums, the tooth structure and roots are exposed to bacteria and infection. With this in mind, a receding gum line is more than a cosmetic problem. 

Receding gums are often caused by genetics, something that, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.  There are, however, ways that you can improve the overall health of your gums and prevent them from receding or at least slow down the process.  It starts with what you put into your mouth.  Unhealthy habits like smoking, chewing tobacco or drinking alcohol in excess are bad for the health of your mouth and increase your risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease.  What you eat also plays an important role and by focusing on eating lean protein, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, and nuts, you can improve the health of your teeth and gums whereas foods that are high in sugar or acidic can attack your teeth and promote gum disease.  For this reason, focus on developing healthy habits in order to lower your risk factors. 

We have also treated patients that suffered from gum recession not due to a lack of oral health care, but by going overboard.  As with most things, moderation is the key so avoid brushing your teeth more than three times a day and use a soft or electronic toothbrush when you do.  Over-brushing and aggressive brushing can irritate your gum tissue and cause it to start receding.  You can get just as good of a clean by using a soft brush and brushing in a circular pattern, pushing bacteria away from your gums. 

Treatment Options
If you are suffering from gum recession now, you are likely experiencing some level of discomfort and are at an increased risk for developing infections.  In order to correct the problem and restore your gum tissue, we have several methods for treating it.  The traditional way is to perform a gum graft surgery.  In this scenario, tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth, or from a donor, and grafted to your gums in order to close the pockets and surround the tooth structure as it should be.  This procedure is often necessary for addressing major gum recession, and while you may be sore for a few days, it is extremely effective for protecting your teeth going forward.  

Those that are looking for a less invasive procedure may benefit from pinhole surgical rejuvenation.  To complete this procedure, we will create a small pin-size hole in the gum tissue, insert instruments and wiggle them around to expand the gum tissue.  It can then be secured to the tooth, accomplishing the same goal as a gum graft but without any cutting, sutures, or prolonged recovery time. 

Learn When You Should See a Sleep Dentist

A sleep dentist is the dentist you should see if you are one of the many people that is terrified of spending time in a dentist’s chair. For many people, the idea of getting dental work done bring about extreme anxiety, bordering on terror. Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, has risen to the challenge of giving these people the best dental treatment they can get while reducing, or eliminating altogether, the fear of being treated by a dentist. Before you consider getting dental work done, you should know that most dentists have been trained, and are extremely adept at using psychological measures to help put your mind at ease so that you can get through the most dental procedures without the need for sedation. 

If sleep dentistry is an option you choose, you should make sure that you do so for the right reasons. Like with most things, there are good reasons for getting sedation dentistry and there are reasons to not get sedation. What we ask is that you take stock of your levels of anxiety and decide if you can tolerate the treatment with an empathetic dentist and calming measures or if you feel like it is intolerable and will need sedation administered by a certified sleep dentist. 

Here are some of the reasons you should work with a sleep dentist to receive sedation – 

You are going to be undergoing an extremely invasive procedure that could take time and is extremely complex. If you may be unable to hold still and remain calm for the duration of the procedure, going to sleep may be the best option for you.  In cases like this, it may be better for the patient to be asleep during the procedure. 

You know that despite the best efforts of the dentist and despite having an extremely empathetic dental team, you will need a little bit more. In a case like this, you may be able to have a lower level of sedation like nitrous, also known as laughing gas. If you need more than laughing gas, discuss this with us as a sleep dentist. 

If you believe that the only way, you can get through the procedure, is by being completely out of it, then you will want to discuss this with your dentist. For some people being out of it and completely unaware of what is going on during the procedure is the only way to get through it, in which case having a general anesthesia may be the best option for you. 

Finally, if you have extreme fear associated with a particular part of the procedure, you may want to consider working with a sleep dentist. For example, if you have an extreme fear of needles or a dental drill, sedation is probably the best option for you and the if necessary, you can even go to sleep during the procedure. 

In our office, we want to ensure that every patient is completely comfortable during their dental treatments.  Let us know about any anxieties or fears you have so that we can create a sedation plan to help you. 

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation Is An Easy Treatment for Your Gums

Occasionally new procedures, like pinhole surgical rejuvenation, are invented by doctors who have a passion for less invasive and less painful methods of resolving common problems. Most surgeries are painful processes, with dental surgery being no exception. The very nature of surgery makes it invasive as we strive to correct challenging health problems. From root canals to gum grafting, oral surgery has long been high on the list of things people fear. Many of these concerns are caused by overinflated stories or the use of antiquated methods from years ago. Additionally, many patients are concerned about there being a great deal of time needed for recovery after having a surgery like a gum grafting. 

Pinhole surgical rejuvenation was invented by Dr. Chao in order to treat gum recession in a way that was more comfortable and less invasive. Almost all humans have some level of gum recession, making it an extremely common condition. Most people are unaware that their gums are excessively receding because of the length of time it takes to occur. The first sign, which a patient may notice, is tooth sensitivity or a tooth that looks longer than the ones surrounding it. It is important that you get gum recession checked out and treated by, a dentist to avoid further damage to the gums. As far back as most dentists can remember, gum recession has been treated with a gum grafting surgery which is extremely invasive and requires a long time for healing. This has changed with the non-invasive, quick, and revolutionary pinhole surgical rejuvenation procedure. 

The question is why does gum recession occur in the first place? 

Insufficient dental care is one of the major factors that influence the loss of gum tissue. When a person does not brush and floss their teeth adequately, or does not make at least bi-annual trips to the dentist for a checkup and a professional cleaning, there is always a chance that the gums could start to recede. Repeated treatments, to remove built up plaque, could lead to gum recession as well. 

A recent study found that more than 30% of people are more susceptible to gum diseases, which could lead to the recession of the gums and, eventually, the need for pinhole surgical rejuvenation. For these people, regardless of how much they care for their teeth they may end up with serious gum problems including the gums starting to recede. 

Periodontal disease is perhaps the most obvious reason a person’s gums might start to recede. A bacterial infection that directly attacks the gums, periodontal disease also affects the bone that holds your teeth in place. It is the main cause of gum recession. Other factors including hormonal changes, found most frequently in pregnant women, the use of tobacco products, and grinding or clenching your teeth have also been found to lead to the gums receding. Additionally crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can place excessive force on the gums which could cause them to recede. One final cause of gum recession, worth noting because of fashion trends today, are lip and tongue piercings which can rub against the gums causing irritation and wear.

Fortunately, regardless of what has caused your gums to recede, pinhole surgical rejuvenation can improve your gum health in a non-invasive and comfortable way.

What Oral Surgery and a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

As a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon we can provide our patients with greater options in what they can achieve in regards to their oral health and appearance.  A traditional dentist typically focusses on preventative care and general dentistry procedures. We handle more complicated cases in order to solve oral health concerns. 

Our first objective is to ensure that our patients are in excellent oral health. With this in mind, we regularly perform procedures like gum grafts and deep cleanings in order to remove bacteria and treat gum disease.  As bacteria cause the gums to become irritated, they will start to recede or pull away from the tooth.  This creates pockets in the gum tissue and the need for a gum graft to be completed in order to seal up the pockets and secure the gums around the tooth.  This type of treatment helps a patient’s appearance and health. 

For those that don’t have a problem with the health of their gums but don’t like how they look, we can help with that as well.  As a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon, we can remove excessive gum tissue that makes a smile look “gummy”.  This is a common condition that can make teeth appear too small.  We can remove this extra tissue and contour the gums so that they appear more normal in size and shape. 

We can also use our cosmetic dentistry skills to craft an entirely new smile. Those that don’t like the appearance of their teeth or are missing several natural teeth can benefit from having dental implants.  This procedure is becoming wildly popular as a way to create the perfect looking smile.  As a surgeon, we implant a metal post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This is done for every tooth that is being replaced.  The bone and metal will fuse together over the course of several months and by doing so a new root system will be created.  This synthetic root system is just as strong as a natural one, and it allows the new tooth to remain independent of the surrounding teeth.  This promotes long term oral health.

As a cosmetic dentist, we find that our patients love their implants because they look like natural teeth.  It is difficult, if not impossible to tell the difference between an implant and natural tooth because the crown used to replace the natural one, will be created in the size, shape, and shade of the surrounding teeth.  Since the crown is attached to a new root system, it is also durable enough for you to eat all of your favorite foods, run a marathon, sing your heart out and stay active without fear of it falling out.  

When it comes time to replacing teeth or restoring damaged ones, visiting a cosmetic dentist that is also an oral surgeon will provide you with the most options for doing so.  Our expertise allows our patients to love their smile every day. 

Here are Some Common Risks With Oral Surgery That We Help to Prevent

Whenever you have surgery, even oral surgery, there are certain inherent risks that go along with such a procedure. Modern medicine has decreased the likelihood that there will be a complication and the careful care of your oral surgeon diminish it even further. For the vast number of patients, surgeries are carried out without a hiccup and working with an experienced surgeon helps to make that possible.  However, surgery still involves an invasion into the normal functions of the mouth, and as such there are some risks involved. 

It is a good idea to understand some of the underlying risks as you prepare for your procedure. We will be there each step of the way to make sure you understand not only any risks, but also a detailed perspective on the procedure itself. This understanding allows you to make the best, most informed decision about your own personal oral health. Here are a few of the more common risks with an oral procedure. 

• Bleeding: Anytime you have oral surgery, there is going to be some level of bleeding. This is normally controlled easily and typically only lasts for the day of the surgery itself. If, however, you have excessive or prolonged bleeding after a surgery, we want to know so that we can ensure there hasn't been a complication. Similarly, if you have a condition like hemophilia, which cause uncontrolled bleeding, you should let us know before the surgery.
• Infection: Whenever there is an open wound, as in the case of an oral surgery, there is a risk of infection. Fever, swelling, heat, chills, and redness should immediately be reported. If you find yourself experiencing general malaise, this may also be a sign of an infection and should be reported. The good news is that it is very easy to deal with an infection by simply using an antibiotic. 
• Surrounding teeth: Oral surgery puts pressure, not only on the tooth itself, but also on the surrounding teeth. If the tooth or teeth next to the site of the surgery are weakened they could break, immediately or in the near future. A weakened filling could also crack or fall out under the pressure of the surgery. These are not serious complications as your dentist can repair the tooth or replace the filling that has been lost.  If a bone breaks, this is slightly more complicated and could require additional surgical correction. 
• Paresthesia: Pressure on or around the site of the surgery can cause permanent or temporary changes in the sensations of the nerves. Paresthesia can cause a sensation of burning, prickling, numbness, or itching. This is caused by the local area anesthesia and can be a serious condition. If you have any of these feelings, you should call us immediately.

When performing oral surgery, we learn everything we can about our patient's health in order to minimize any risk associated with the procedure.  By understanding what issues could arise, we can plan for how to prevent them so that patients can recover quickly without complications.  Prior to each procedure, we go over everything in detail so that our patients can make plans for how to remain comfortable during their recovery and ensure the ultimate success of the procedure.  To learn more about our methods, call and schedule a consultation. 

Why You Should Get Dental Implants from a Specialist in Periodontics and Implantology

Dr. Pechak is a local periodontist that is an expert at dental implants. What many people don’t understand is that while many dentists conduct the dental implants procedure, they are not experts at it.  A regular dentist is not trained in matters of oral surgery.  They have graduated from dental school and are skilled in many types of procedures, but the majority of surgical training they have would come from on the job experience rather than from dental school.

In order to gain the knowledge and additional skills necessary to become an expert at installing dental implants, the dentist needs to have an additional three years of schooling.  This takes a desire and commitment to become a true expert at performing oral surgeries.  Just like a doctor goes to medical school in order to practice medicine, they don’t perform surgeries until they have gone through additional training.  Most people wouldn’t allow a general doctor to operate on them and in the same way we recommend that you don’t get your gums operated on by someone that hasn’t gone through the additional schooling.

Becoming certified as a periodontist and implant specialist requires completing the three years of schooling and going through the licensing process, something Dr. Pechak has done.  If your dentist suggests that you use dental implants in order to replace your missing teeth, we recommend that you speak with a periodontist prior to scheduling the procedure.  This way you can consult with an expert and make an informed decision about which provider you want to complete the procedure.

Only around five percent of general dentists have had the additional training and experience to make them as good as a prosthodontist.  This means that your procedure is more likely to have complications or an increased recovery time than if you go to an expert to have the process completed.

When you get dental implants, there are several stages to the process.  An impression of your mouth will be taken so that the new tooth can be created in a dental lab to match the size and shape of your other teeth.  This way it will blend in and look natural.  Before getting started, we will make sure that your gums are healthy enough for the procedure.  If not, we can treat your gums in order to remove any infection.

Next, we will implant a metal post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This is the surgical step in the process and must be done carefully to ensure that the gums can heal quickly.  Over the course of a couple of months, the metal post and jawbone will fuse together. This creates a strong synthetic root system that is as sturdy as a natural tooth would be.  Once ready, we will then secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post.  The result is a tooth that looks and feels natural.  The process uses advance dental techniques and as a periodontist, Dr. Pechak can ensure that your dental implants will look and feel amazing. 

How Does Laser Dentistry Make a Difference?

If you have sensitive teeth, laser dentistry is an excellent option for getting dental treatments done.  It can also be used to help anyone that is having dental work performed and wants to minimize their recovery time and stay comfortable during treatment.

In our office, we use lasers primarily to treat gum disease.  Typically, patients with gum disease need to have the bacteria removed from underneath their gums.  Most dentists will do this by using a traditional metal dental tool to scrape away the bacteria.  This can irritate already sensitive gums and create a high level of discomfort.  By using lasers, we can zap the bacteria to kill it and do so without irritating the gum tissue.  The lasers won't burn the gum tissue or increase how sensitive they are.  This means that our patients can leave the office feeling better instead of worse off.

Another benefit to laser dentistry is that the lasers can be used to help stop the bleeding.  It is common for gums to bleed during dental procedures because of how easy it is to irritate them.  Dental lasers can stop the bleeding during treatment so that patients don’t have to wear uncomfortable gauze for hours, and the recovery time can be sped up.  It is easier to get dental work done when you know that your recovery time will be fast, and there will be minimal disruption to your life.

The recovery time is also reduced because as the laser cuts it also sterilizes the area.  This means that the overall risk of infection is diminished.  This is important for patients that struggle from a low immune system or are diabetic and have difficulty fighting infection. This reduces the risk of complications after the procedure is over.

Patients that are worried about going to the dentist also like the fact that lasers are quieter than a metal drill or other tools would be.  For people that have dental anxiety, the quietness of the procedure can help to ease some of the common dental fears.  When you combine this with the fact that the procedures are completed faster than they are with traditional dental tools, it makes it much easier to schedule a dental appointment.

If you have visited your normal dentist and found out that you have gum disease, you should schedule a consultation with our office prior to undergoing treatment.  We always recommend that patients understand what their options are and learn as much as possible about their condition and how to solve it before going forward.  It is important to compare the treatment methods offered by a traditional dentist and those provided by laser dentistry.

Ask questions and compare the process, recovery time, and risks associated with each prior to making a decision.  We are confident that you will find laser gum treatments are far more effective and more comfortable.  Once you are ready, schedule a procedure so that we can treat your gum disease and help you to start feeling better quickly.