Healthy Gums equals more Beautiful Smile!
- Scaling & Root Planning
- The first phase of treatment for periodontal disease is referred to as scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is appropriate when there has been some deterioration of the tooth supporting structure, with mild-moderate loss of jaw bone. In order words, gum inflammation has progressed beyond gingivitis, which is a reversible stage, and therefore cannot be adequately treated by routine tooth cleaning procedures. Scaling and root planing, involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from
the pocket area between the teeth and gums. It is not a cure for Periodontal disease, but it sets the stage for future treatment phases.
- The first phase of treatment for periodontal disease is referred to as scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is appropriate when there has been some deterioration of the tooth supporting structure, with mild-moderate loss of jaw bone. In order words, gum inflammation has progressed beyond gingivitis, which is a reversible stage, and therefore cannot be adequately treated by routine tooth cleaning procedures. Scaling and root planing, involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from
- Gum Infection and Painful Gums
- Your gums may be painful due to localzied infection caused by certain bacteria. Inflammed gums will certainly be tender and bleed easily while brushing but it won’t be painful. Painful gums usually cuased by certain bacteria that will eat away your gums (ANUG; Punch out lesions), which can be rather dramatic. If you experience such conditions, Ask Dr. Noohi, how he can help you.
- Antibiotic Treatment to arrest Periodontal Disease
- Some localized, topical antibiotics can enhance your periodontal treatment. In certain isolated circumstances, placement of antibiotic medicine can also reduce infection. This antibiotic therapy is always done in conjunction with scaling and deep cleanings. This procedure is more often used for patients that have had previous periodontal repair therapy.
- Procedure: Topical antibiotics, in various forms, are precisely placed in isolated areas to improve healing after the localized area is scaled and deep cleaned. Afterwards the results are closely monitored during follow-up maintenance visits.
- Crown Lengthening
- The reason for crown lengthening (CL) can be functional or aesthetic requirements. Like most Periodontal procedures, CL is available to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or improve the esthetics of your gum line.
- During crown lengthening procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth, your gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.
- Your may need crown lengthening to make a restorative procedure if your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. There is a minimal space required between a jaw bone around the tooth and the new restoration (Filling, Crown, Onlay, etc.) which is called the Biologic Width. If this space (biologic width) is not available, it must be re-established via Crown Lengthening to prevent future periodontal disease and complications.
- Aesthetic Crown Lengthening
- Crown Lengthening can also be done for cosmetic reasons prior to a cosmetic dental procedure to improve the crown width to length ratio of a completely healthy teeth.
- Gum (gingival) Graft
- Recession can be defined as the displacement of the gum (gingival) margin away from the tooth. Gingival recession can be associated with one or more teeth and surfaces. Many people present with gingival recession without any awareness of the condition and without symptoms. The indications for surgical treatment of gingival recession include reducing root sensitivity, minimizing cervical root caries, increasing the zone of attached gingiva, and improving esthetics. The treatment of gingival recession can be accomplished with a number of techniques. Consult with Dr. Noohi, to find out what is the most optimal approach for you.
- Aesthetic Gingivectomy
- Many times, your smile is the first thing people notice when meeting. If your teeth appear small when smiling, it can look unattractive. This is known as a “gummy” smile. An uneven gum line can also be distracting. If the Gummy smile is due to overgrowth of gums only (sometimes due to certain medications), it can be painlessly removed and recontoured to idealize the length of the natural teeth without any additional cosmetic procedures like veneers. All needs to be done is to remove the excess. Have a consultation with Dr. Noohi, to have your gummy smile assessed.
- Frenectomy
- Frenum is basically a band of muscle attachments that occasionally is attached too close to the neck of the teeth and its mobility is a constant pull that causes gum recession. In those cases the Frenum is snipped under local anesthesia and the muscle pull is relieved.
- Bone Grafting due to Periodontal disease
- 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 remove the periodontal disease which halts the bone loss. Then we 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: Your doctor administers a local anesthetic and gently opens the area, removes the periodontal disease, repairs the bone damage and then finally fills in the damaged area with bone grafting material.
- Bone Grafting after tooth Extraction.
- After tooth extraction an empty socket is left behind (click here). Traditional tooth extraction is known to result in (alveolar) bone loss as a result of atrophy of the (edentulous) ridge. If the socket is not cleaned well and filled with an appropriate bone graft material and is not sealed,%40 – %60 of the height and width will be lost in the first year and more than half of that bone loss occurs within the first 6 months. This bone loss can adversely affect the stability of the adjacent teeth making them weaker, it can leave a concavity that will look fake and unattractive and if you ever decide to replace that tooth with a dental implant, you won’t have adequate bone to support the dental implant adequately leaving it at high risk for future complications.
- Ridge Augmentation
- Sometimes when you lose one or more teeth, you can get an indention in your gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. Not only is this concavity unnatural looking, it also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth. Ridge augmentation can also be used to build up an area of bone so that a dental implant can be placed.
- Your dental specialist can fill in this “defect”, recapturing the natural contour of your gums and jaw. A new tooth can then be created that is natural looking, easy-to-clean and beautiful.
- Osseous Surgery
- The treatment of moderate to advanced periodontal disease can be categorized as resective or regenerative. Osseous or resective surgical treatment has been advocated over a century ago with a notion to reduce or eliminate periodontal pockets. The earlier periodontal disease is treated, the less extensive treatment is necessary. Consult with Dr. Noohi, to find out what type of treatment is appropriate in your case.
- Regenerative Surgery
- An alternative to osseous surgery is regenerative treatment that aims to regenerate the bony defect. The general rule is that if the bony defect is more than 4 mm, it is best treated by regenerative procedures. Consult with Dr. Noohi, to find out what type of treatment is appropriate in your case
- Sinus Lift
- There are occasions where placement of a dental implant cannot be achieved without entering the sinus. There is a non-invasive approach to lift the sinus floor, using different techniques and tools in order to place a dental implant with appropriate length.
- Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
- After extraction of several teeth, it is not uncommon to have an un-even bony ridge as a support for the denture. This can cause a painful sensation as the denture moves. Preparation of the supporting bony structure may be needed to address this problem. There are times there is excessive soft tissue around a loose and ill fitting denture, in those cases removal of that tissue is necessary before fabricating a new set of dentures. Consult with Dr. Noohi, to find out what type of treatment is appropriate in your case, if you are unhappy with your dentures.
- RISK FACTORS FOR GUM DISEASE
- Periodontal disease is an infection that is caused by certain bacteria building up in the mouth to such an extent that they cannot be controlled by the body’s own immune system.
- Age, Smoking, HIV infection, Chemotherapy, Stress, Poor Nutritian, Genetics, Teeth Grinding,Hormonal changes, Poor Oral Hygiene are all risk factors for periodontal disease.