Visit a Periodontist if Your Dentures Are Loose

As a periodontist, we treat patients suffering from gum disease. If you are currently wearing a partial set of dentures or even a full set of dentures, it is important that you pay attention to your health. In both cases, the health of your gums is going to directly impact how comfortable your dentures are to wear and whether or not they will fit securely. If you suddenly have loose-fitting dentures, this could be a sign that you have gum disease or that you are suffering from resorption. In either case, we encourage you to visit our dental office so that we can examine you and determine if there are any health conditions that need to be addressed right away.

A Periodontist Can Inspect Your Gums

If you are demonstrating signs of gum disease, we encourage you to call our office and schedule an examination. This is necessary for ensuring that we can catch gum disease in its early stages and provide you with fast treatment. Doing so will ensure that your teeth are not at risk of becoming infected as well.
Here are some signs that you can watch for:

• Bleeding gums. When you brush your gums at night look for signs of bleeding. A little blood on your toothbrush is nothing to be alarmed about as long as it happens infrequently. However, if your gums are bleeding every night or they are bleeding significantly, this is a clear sign of gum disease that demands attention and you should schedule an appointment.
• Red and swollen gums. If your gums are red and swollen they could simply be irritated by your dentures or you could be suffering from gum disease. Again, it is best if we catch gum disease before it causes a serious infection so schedule an appointment for your examination.
• Teeth that look long or larger than normal.   If you have noticed that your remaining natural teeth are looking significantly longer than they used to, it could be a sign of gum recession. This happens when gum disease has advanced and your gums begin to pull away from your tooth structure exposing more of your actual tooth, and sometimes your roots. At first, your teeth will appear larger or longer than they used to so this is an important sign to watch for.
• Loose teeth or dentures.  If your dentures or any remaining teeth are loose this could be indicative of you having gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss so this is nothing that should be ignored.

Non-Invasive Treatments from a Periodontist

We can treat gum disease using lasers. This is a non-invasive way to treat your gums and restore them to good health. Laser dentistry allows us to produce incredible results by improving your health without causing irritation or discomfort.

Schedule an Examination Today

We will be happy to assist you, so give us a call anytime that you notice your gums are irritated or if you are concerned that you are showing any signs of gum disease. We can examine you and discuss the treatment options that are available to you.

Laser Dentistry Is At The Forefront of Technology

Laser dentistry is at the forefront of emerging technologies that are making dentistry far more palatable for people who are immensely afraid of visiting the dentist. For a large portion of the population, the idea of visiting the dentist makes them break out in a cold sweat. Over the years, these numbers have accumulated to where significant portions of the American adult population would rather live with cavities, dental decay, and even more serious conditions than visit the dentist. Laser dentistry is effectively working to change the perception of a dental visit and also the fears of these kinds of people so they can get the treatment they need and deserve.

Dental Drills Contribute to Dental Anxiety and Fear

In studies conducted across the nation, specifically addressing the idea of dental fear, it has been revealed that the dental drill is one of the leading causes of dental fear in patients. In one specific study conducted at a dental university in Japan, it was found that the brains of people who have intense anxiety about a dental visit react uniquely to the sound of dental drills. These people responded just as strongly as if they were actually in the chair waiting for treatment, even though they were not in a dental chair and a dental drill was nowhere near them at the time of the study. The amazing thing about laser dentistry is that it virtually eliminates the need for the use of a dental drill. This is good news for people who have intense anxiety about dental visits, tied specifically to the dental drill and other equipment used in dental procedures. If a laser dentistry procedure can be done completely in the absence of a drill, there is a good chance we can help eliminate the phobias of a large percentage of the population.

Laser Dentistry is Pain-Free

Another significant advantage of laser dentistry is the fact that it has virtually no discomfort associated with it. Ironically, in studies, it has been shown that 75 percent of patients claimed to experience no pain at all when undergoing regular dental treatment. This is not surprising given the range of modern tools available that are used to ensure that the patient experiences no discomfort. And yet the majority of patients who do not want to visit the dentist or procrastinate about making an appointment state that as the major reason why they do not want to visit the dentist. With laser dentistry, there is virtually no discomfort associated with the treatment at all. This is because laser dentistry uses a laser light beam and water, which fuse together to remove decay, tissue, old fillings, and other things that need to be removed without causing damage to the tissues itself. This revolutionary technology can be used to try to whiten discolored teeth, alleviate the symptoms of gum disease, fight gum recession, and use the laser to remove the decay from a bad tooth so it can be properly prepared for a filling.

Visit Us for Laser Dentistry to Treat Gum Disease

We can treat your gum disease using laser technology. This is a comfortable and convenient way for us to restore your gums to excellent health and since it is non-invasive, you do not need to worry about discomfort.

Seniors Benefit from Working with an Implant Dentist

As an implant dentist, we have the privilege of working with local seniors. It's a lot of fun to work with seniors of retirement age as they go about planning for their future. Thinking about things like where to travel and go on the vacation, what classes to audit, what hobbies to take up or even what to do with the family house, more and more seniors are taking the time to also think about their appearance and the things that they are ready to change. One of those things is often their teeth. If you are a senior that is tired of wearing ill-fitting dentures or having the restrictions that come from tooth loss, we encourage you to visit our dental office to learn more about your options. There is no need to allow age or tooth loss to restrict your happiness.  With our help, you can have a smile that you are proud of.

How an Implant Dentist Can Help You

When you visit our dental office we will begin by conducting a physical examination and taking x-rays. One of the things that we will be looking for is the density of your jawbone. It is important for you to have enough density to support the implant that needs to be placed. Think of it as a screw going into a piece of wood. If the screw is longer than the wood it will not be secure. If your jaw is not dense enough the implant will not be as secure as it needs to be either. The challenge is that after you lose a tooth you can experience  resorption to the point that 25% of your jawbone density can be lost within the first year alone. This creates a situation where many seniors can not get dental implants without first having a bone grafting procedure. If this is the case in your situation, we will let you know and make a recommendation regarding which steps you should take next.

As an implant dentist, we can also discuss other options with you. For example, you may not have enough bone density to support a long traditional dental implant but you could have enough density to support a shorter and wider implant. Also, if you have suffered complete tooth loss you may benefit from implant supported dentures. These are the types of solutions that we can discuss with you during your consultation and examination. Remember that our goal is to provide you with a natural-looking set of replacement teeth that is going to function at optimal levels. We are confident that dental implants are the best way to achieve this goal and will work with you to identify the exact solution and exact procedure that is going to work best for your health and for your appearance.

The Result

By using dental implants to replace your missing teeth we can give you a full set of highly functional teeth that look absolutely amazing. Our patients find that they are able to enjoy life more than when wearing dentures. This is because dental implants don't come out. They are surgically placed and will remain secure in your mouth regardless of what you are doing or what you are eating. As a senior you can replace your teeth with implants and live life without restrictions. This a far superior way to enjoy your retirement years

The Science Behind LANAP Laser Dentistry

LANAP laser dentistry is a procedure that is being used, and has been newly introduced, to structure the laser-assisted treatment of periodontal disease. The surgical laser procedure is designed for the treatment of periodontitis through regeneration rather than through simple reception. The LANAP laser dentistry procedure is a protocol that deals with the inflammation, the infectious process, the occlusion, the tooth mobility, and the osseous components of periodontal disease. It is important to understand that the LANAP laser dentistry protocols are a key achievement in laser dentistry. We know that approximately 80% of Americans suffer from some form of periodontal disease, from the extremely mild to the very severe - 97% of those have moderate to severe periodontitis and do not get the treatment they need.

In order to properly understand how LANAP laser dentistry is an effective therapy, it is important to first understand what periodontal disease is. Periodontal disease, at its core, is when the teeth separate from the gums allowing pockets to exist under the gum line. These pockets can quickly become infected with bacteria and lead to tooth loss, degeneration of the bone, and other serious problems.  Often times the first symptom of a periodontal disease is bleeding of gums. Well over 90% of Americans will experience bleeding gums at some point during their life. It is important to note that if you have consistent bleeding gums you need to get inspected for gingivitis or the even more serious periodontal disease. The good news is that with the LANAP laser dentistry tools, we have an effective therapy to help treat periodontal disease.

Typically we find that the LANAP protocol using LANAP laser dentistry is a procedure that can be completed in two visits, although it has been known to be done in one appointment. On average each of these visits last roughly two hours and you will need to see the dentist for a one-hour post-operative appointment for an evaluation after about a week.   The procedure itself works by targeting a specific wavelength of laser light at the disease infected pockets, under the gum line, where the tooth has separated from the gum. This helps to address the underlying connectivity issues as well as the disease or infection.  Since the laser is extremely selective and pinpointed at the diseased tissue, the underlying connective tissue which connects the tooth and gums is allowed to heal and regenerate rather than having them affected, allowing for a much more rapid recovery.  Simultaneously, by removing the diseased tissue with a laser, healthy tissue has more room to grow and this works well for the re-connection and regeneration of the healthy tissue.

One of the things to understand about LANAP laser dentistry is that during the first year after the procedure typically no work will be done to disturb the periodontal tissue. In fact, we will only be treating caries and working on temporization.  If a patient requires restoration type dental work, we will do this before having the LANAP laser dentistry protocols implemented since very few patients want to wait a year for restorative dentistry.

The good news about this procedure is that it is far more comfortable than traditional methods of treating gum disease.  For this reason, many of our patients prefer laser dentistry.  To learn more about this procedure, call and schedule a consultation.

Gum Recession Risk Factors

Gum recession is a condition during which your upper or lower gums begin to “recede” or pull back from your teeth. When this happens, it often results in teeth having an elongated appearance and sensitivities to hot and cold foods and drinks. It can also often lead to a greater number of cavities and even gum disease, if not already present. While in some cases, gum recession is hereditary due to thin gingival tissue, for most people, receding gums can be avoided by limiting risk factors.

Smoking and Nicotine Use
Smoking and nicotine use are major risk factors for gum recession, and they are rated number one as the most preventable. Fortunately, this risk factor can be completely avoided, resulting in a healthier atmosphere for teeth and gums. Smoking can not only lead to gum recession, but it can also cause periodontal disease, a serious form of gum disease. These bad habits irritate and inflame your gums by reducing the oxygen in your gum tissue. Persistent smoking and nicotine use can eventually even cause bone loss. If you have the ability to reduce your risk by limiting nicotine use or quitting altogether, you can also avoid being one of the 40 percent of smokers who lose all their teeth by the end of their lives.

Periodontal Disease
While periodontal disease is a detrimental condition in itself, it is also a risk factor for gum recession. People who have periodontal disease for an extended period without having it properly treated often suffer from debilitating consequences like loose teeth, chronically sore and inflamed gums, and receding gums. Over three-fourths of American adults possess some form of gum disease, but very few people realize they have it until it causes significant damage to their gums and teeth. While 30 percent of people are genetically predisposed to having periodontal disease, with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, you can reduce your risk of developing gum disease and by association, gum recession.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits
Brushing your teeth too aggressively, not brushing and flossing adequately, and failing to visit the dentist regularly can all cause receding gums. Even if you are genetically predisposed to develop gum recession with age, it is important to seek out regular dental care, since a dentist can watch for recession and help you care for your teeth in a way that may slow the process. If you already have receding gums, a dentist can go over treatment options with you to prevent it from becoming worse with time and to fix the damage that has already occurred.

Malpositioned Teeth and Mouth Trauma
If you have malpositioned teeth, orthodontics may help reposition your teeth so your risk of developing gingival irritation and recession from excessive pressure and friction in certain areas is reduced. Mouth trauma is a common risk factor for receding gingival tissues, but this can be avoided by wearing a mouth guard during sports or seeking dental attention immediately following mouth injuries.

The best thing you can do to reduce your risk of gum recession is to visit a dentist at least twice a year. We can coach you on ways to reduce your chances of suffering the cosmetic and dental health consequences of developing receding gums.

Periodontist  >  Laser Dentistry

Visit a Sleep Dentist Before Your Wedding

As a sleep dentist, we work with a lot of brides that want to improve their smile in time for their wedding day. Issues like crooked teeth can be corrected with orthodontics but it can take months and even years for an orthodontic treatment to be completed. Many brides simply cannot wait that long due to a pending wedding date. In this case, cosmetic dentistry can be a useful tool for improving your smile.

Visit a Sleep Dentist for a Gummy Smile

One of the other reasons that brides visit us is to have their gums shaped so that they no longer have a gummy smile where the gums go up too high on the teeth. We can correct this problem by using lasers to remove some of the excess tissue and shaping your gums so that more of your beautiful teeth show through.

You Can Visit a Sleep Dentist to Replace Your Teeth

If you have lost some of your teeth due to an infection or dental damage, we can replace them in time for your wedding.  Instead of wearing dentures that can fall out or make you feel self-conscious, we can provide you with a permanent and secure way to replace your teeth – dental implants. For your wedding, you want to be able to smile and feel proud of how you look. You can, with dental implants securely in place. This is the only solution that replaces both your missing roots and your missing teeth. We complete the procedure by surgically implanting a small titanium post under your gums and securing it to your jawbone. The body responds to titanium like it would to natural matter and it begins to deposit bone tissue around the actual post. This process is called osseointegration and it works incredibly well. While the process can take a couple of months, once done your implant will be as secure as a natural root and we can secure your new tooth or teeth to it.

Why You Should See a Sleep Dentist

When performing procedures that are going to cause you irritation, we can simply put you to sleep. This way you will not feel anything and you will not have the anxiety that can come from undergoing a dental procedure. While preparing for your wedding you are going to have a lot on your plate. Things, like hiring the right catering company and finding the perfect dress, can be fun but they can also be stressful. Adding the anxiety of receiving dental care to this already full schedule, is not wise.  While the actual dental treatments are necessary for giving you a wedding day smile, the anxiety is not. As a sleep dentist, we can solve the problem by making it easier than ever for you to receive dental care. We simply put you to sleep so that you can feel perfectly relaxed and at ease about having your teeth replaced, gums treated or smile improved. To get started, call and schedule an appointment today.

How a Sleep Dentist Can Benefit You

As a sleep dentist, we are focused on your health but also on your comfort.  It is time to reevaluate dentistry and what your experience will be like.  In the past, patients did not have very many options. You visited the local dentist and received the same basic care, regardless of where you went.  Times have changed and we are offering patients an entirely different way to receive dental care – a way that we believe is far better.

What Visiting a Sleep Dentist is Like

When you visit our dental office for a procedure like dental implants or gum repair, we can put you to sleep.  This is the easiest and most comfortable way to receive dental care because you can come in, sit down, fall asleep and wake up when it is over.  Instead of feeling anxious or uncomfortable during your treatment, you can be entirely relaxed physically, mentally and emotionally.  This is a win-win for anyone that is concerned about feeling stressed when receiving dental care.

Additional Benefits of Visiting a Sleep Dentist

#1 The procedure will be over quickly.

By going to sleep, the procedure will seem to be over in the blink of an eye.  Instead of waiting for it to be over and counting down the minutes, you will feel completely relaxed and unaware of time.  This is a significant benefit for your state of wellbeing.  Simultaneously, the procedure actually can be over faster when you are asleep.  This is because we can focus on getting results without taking breaks or going slowly to make it easier for you.  Since you are sleeping, our intense focus will be beneficial and not concerning at all.

#2 We can do more in one sitting.

If you need to have major dental work done, there is a chance that you will have to come to the dentist more than once.  This is typically due to the fact that most people cannot sit still for so many hours.  However, when you visit a sleep dentist, this is not a concern.  We can often complete far more of the necessary work in one sitting because it will be comfortable for you.  This will save you time in the future.

#3 You will leave happy.

Let's face it – dentistry has a bad reputation.  We know this to be true, even though it is often undeserved.  Our patients feel better after visiting us for dental care because we are a gentle dentist and because we offer sedation.  When you visit our sleep dentist office for a procedure we are confident that you will leave happy and pleased that you received care here, rather than from a traditional dental office.

To learn more about sleep dentistry in general or to discuss your oral health concerns, give us a call.  We will be happy to answer your questions and to create a customized treatment plan to address all of your individual needs.  We are highly skilled and capable of giving you a beautiful and healthy smile. 

Periodontist  >  Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation