Periodontics

A periodontist is a dentist who has completed an  2-3 years  additional study after becoming a Dentist. The training is done at accredited university graduate level specialty programs in periodontics and then the candidate must pass board exams to become a Registered Specialist in Periodontics. Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that deals with maintenance of support structures such as bone and gums around the teeth and dental implants. In addition to the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, periodontists…

Gingival recession is when the gumline drops and the root of the tooth is exposed. The recession causes teeth to become more sensitive to cold as well reflects a deeper problem of bone loss under the gum. The recession can be an esthetic concern if it is visible in the smile or it can be a functional concern since tooth loss may occur if recession is left untreated. Most recession can be corrected to restore…

In the broadest sense, the term gum disease–or periodontal disease–describes bacterial growth and production of factors that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth. Periodontal means “around the tooth”. Gum disease begins with bacteria in the form of plaque, which is always forming on your teeth, without you even knowing it. When it accumulates to excessive levels, it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus) in as little as 24 hours. Tartar…

Cosmetic gum surgery is a broad topic that generally includes alteration of the gumline of the smile. It has been compared to the framework of the picture, the gingival margins frame the teeth to create harmony in the smile. Cosmetic gum surgery can include treating recession with  a procedure called gingival grafting to restore normal gum margins and cover exposed yellow root surfaces.  The donor source is normally the palate and it is typically leaves only a…

Bone regeneration is a surgery where a bone graft is placed to rebuild lost bone after periodontal disease or tooth loss.  The bone is taken either from another spot in the jaw such as from behind a wisdom tooth or from commercial sources such as donor banks, processed bovine bone or synthetic materials. The procedure duration and discomfort is typically about the same as a wisdom tooth extraction with swelling and bruising for 4-5 days. Bone regeneration is a…