Periodontics & Implantology
Specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and the placement of dental implants.
Periodontal Surgery
Scaling & Root Planing
Dental Implants
Sinus Lift
BIO: Featured Specialist
Periodontal & Dental Implant Specialist
Dr. Alexander Loeb
Periodontal Disease
The periodontium is a complex structure of the mouth, primarily made up of gums and bone. Its function is essentially to keep teeth secure in the mouth by allowing teeth to attach to the jaw bones, as well as creating a barrier between the inner structures and the mouth.
Periodontics is the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as the placement of implants after teeth are extracted.
How do I know if I have periodontitis
Unfortunately, majority of cases are chronic, meaning the destruction happens over time and without associated pain. There are some cases that are acute and painful, but mostly patients have no idea it’s happening.
Regular check ups and dental office cleanings remove calculus and keep the health of the gums at a stable base line. Yearly diagnostic radiographs show the level of bone between all the teeth, and exams including probing the gums for any abnormal pocketing depths.
At home oral hygiene is critical for patients who have calculus accumulation because flossing is the best way to prevent the calculus from attaching to the tooth in the first place.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
Bleeding gums
Swollen gums
Bad breathe
Loose teeth
Gum recession
Sensitive teeth
Treatment Options
Scaling & Root Planing
The scaling and root planing procedure is the standard, non-surgical treatment for periodontitis. It involves cleaning to the base of the patient’s deep pockets where a regular cleaning is unable to reach. Sometimes antibiotics are also placed into the pockets to help eradicate any persistent bacteria. The gums and teeth are anesthetized prior to starting so there is no pain associated with the treatment, though there may be some post op soreness for some patients.
The procedure may need to be repeated at particular intervals to ensure the success of treatment. Most importantly, it is the patient’s responsibility to come in regularly for cleanings and maintain excellent oral hygiene at home after the scaling and root planing has been completed.
Periodontal Surgery
For some patients, surgical intervention is needed. Thanks to advancements in dentistry, surgeries are now very sophisticated with higher success rates. There are different surgical techniques fit for the different stages of disease progression and for different patients.
The most common surgery involves removing calculus and bacteria from the infected pocket, smoothening and reshaping the bone that remains, and then placing the gums back over the reshaped bone or below its original level. This technique decreases the depth of the pockets and allows the patient to clean and maintain oral hygiene a lot better than before.
Implantology
Sometimes for one reason or another, one or more teeth are lost—be it due injury or disease.
The empty space affects neighboring structures. To avoid issues, it is recommended to restore the edentulous space as early as possible.
Periodontists are dentistry’s experts in the surgical placement of implants.
Dental Implants
The dental implant system includes an implant body, a healing abutment (which is temporary and only in place while the healing process takes place), an implant abutment, and an implant crown.
The periodontist is responsible for the placement of the implant body into the jaw, while the general dentist restores it with its abutment and crown in order for it to look like a regular tooth.
Implant Process
- Planning- prior to the placement of an implant, the proper imaging is required. Radiographs in addition to a 3-dimensional CT scan are typically required to determine the best location, angulation, and size of the implant.
- Treatment- the area is completely anesthetized with local anesthesia prior to any work. A small incision is made into the gums to expose the bone that lies underneath. The implant is then surgically placed into the bone and a healing cap is placed to protect the implant. The gums are then sutured back into place and the area is left to heal.
- Recovery- depending on the case, the implant usually requires about 3—6 months to integrate into the surrounding bone and to be accepted as a part of the mouth
- Uncovering- if the implant integrates into the bone successfully, it is then “uncovered”. This is a quick and simple procedure where the gums that had healed over the healing cap are opened in order to access the implant body for restoration
Benefits of implant placement
For some patients, surgical intervention is needed. Thanks to advancements in dentistry, surgeries are now very sophisticated with higher success rates. There are different surgical techniques fit for the different stages of disease progression and for different patients.
Ability to chew
Ability to cleanse (mimics your original tooth)
Keeps adjacent teeth healthy/untouched
Preserves surrounding structures
Increased comfort/quality of life
Missing a tooth? Schedule your implant consult today!
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Cosmetics in Periodontics
General dentists work closely with periodontists in particular cosmetic cases to achieve the best esthetic results.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is the standard treatment for what is commonly known as “gummy smile”.
This surgical procedure increases the size of teeth if they have a short appearance.
This may just be within soft tissue (gums), or may involve recontouring of the underlying bone as well.
Gingival Grafting
Receding gums are a common occurrence in dentistry. A gingival (gum) graft may be a solution if the receding gums are affecting a patient’s quality of life or worsening substantially to the point where the root surface is at risk of breaking down.
When a patient comes with a significant amount of recession, we may suggest a gingival grafting procedure in order to hide the newly exposed root surface. This is common in cosmetic dentistry, allowing for a more favorable esthetic outcome.
What we do
Our office prides itself on keeping as many dental procedures in house as possible. Dr. Shimonova and Dr. Katz know how inconvenient it is to have to go to a new setting for specialty care.
We are pleased to have Dr. Alex Loeb be a part of our team and ensure proper multidisciplinary care here at Flatiron Family Dental.
