PERIODONTICS
Grafts
Many patients suffer from periodontal disease, or a loss of attachment between the teeth and their supporting structures. One method of treating this condition, especially in areas of recession, is to graft tissue from one area in the mouth and reposition it in the affected area. This is a successful method of treatment that leads to an improvement in health of the gum tissues and improved esthetics.
Scaling and Root Planning
Periodontal (gum) disease progresses as the pocket between the tooth and gums gets irritated by plaque, bacteria, and calculus (tartar). As this debris collects, sometimes deep in the pocket of the tooth, it often becomes difficult for people to properly clean. Dentists and dental hygienists can perform a “deep cleaning,” or scaling and root planning, of these hard to reach areas to prevent the progression of the disease.
Arestin®: Arestin® is an effective antibiotic treatment that is placed into the periodontal pocket following a deep cleaning to halt disease. Over a period of up to twenty-one days, small amounts of antibiotics are released into the pocket to improve the health of the gum tissues through antibacterial action.
Crown Lengthening
Sometimes patients’ teeth have deep fillings and decay that go slightly below the gum line. In order to properly restore these teeth, a procedure called a “crown lengthening” is performed to expose more of the crown of a tooth. Periodontists (gum specialists) surgically expose more of the tooth’s crown by slightly lowering the supporting bone to allow the general dentist to gain access to fully restore the tooth to ideal health.