Periodontal Therapy

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Periodontal Therapy

It is not a given that we must lose teeth as we age. If we maintain good oral hygiene and have regular professional cleanings and oral examinations, chances are we can keep our natural teeth for life. That involves not only caring for the teeth themselves but also the structures that surround them: the gums and tooth-supporting bone. Gum disease, which is a bacterial infection, threatens these supporting tissues. That is why dental professionals are always on the lookout for early signs that patients may not notice. When signs of trouble become apparent, periodontal therapy may be suggested.

Periodontal therapy can take various forms, but the goal is always to restore diseased tissues to health. Gum (periodontal) disease can spread from the gums to the bone that supports the teeth, and may even cause tooth loss in the most severe cases. There are very effective therapies to combat this, ranging from scalings (deep cleanings) that remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from beneath the gum line, to surgical repair of lost gum and bone tissue.

Periodontal Therapy Procedures

Periodontal therapy includes both surgical and non-surgical techniques to restore health to the tissues that support the teeth (gums and bone) and prevent tooth loss. They include:

Scaling and Root Planing. These deep-cleaning techniques are the best starting point to control gum disease. Plaque and calculus (tartar) are removed from beneath the gum tissues, using hand scalers and/or ultrasonic instruments.
Gum Grafting. Sometimes it’s necessary to replace areas of lost gum tissue so that tooth roots are adequately protected. This can be accomplished by taking healthy gum tissue from one area of the mouth and moving it to where it is needed, or by using laboratory-processed donor tissue.
Periodontal Plastic Surgery. When used to describe surgery, the word “plastic” refers to any reshaping procedure that creates a more pleasing appearance of the gum tissues.
Periodontal Laser Treatment. Removing diseased gum tissue with lasers can offer significant advantages over conventional surgery, such as less discomfort and gum shrinkage.
Crown Lengthening Surgery. This is a surgical procedure in which tooth structure that is covered by gum and bone tissue may need to be exposed for cosmetic reasons (to make the teeth look longer and the smile less gummy) or to aid in securing a new dental crown.
Dental Implants. Today’s preferred method of tooth replacement is a titanium dental implant, which is placed beneath the gum line and into the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. The implant is then attached to a realistic-looking dental crown that is visible above the gum line and indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

Your Role in Periodontal Health

Dental plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, so it’s essential to remove it daily with effective brushing and flossing. This doesn’t mean scrubbing, which can cause your gums to recede. Proper techniques can be demonstrated for you if you have any questions.

Of course, there are some areas of the mouth that a toothbrush and floss just can’t reach, which is why it’s so important to have regular professional cleanings at the dental office. Your regular dental exam is also a time when early signs of gum disease can be detected — before they become apparent even to you.

Eating a nutritious diet low in sugar, and staying away from tobacco in all forms, will also increase your periodontal health — and your chances of keeping your teeth for life.

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Botox and Dermal Fillers

Botox and Dermal Fillings, can also be used to treat some TMJ/TMD issues.

Facial Trauma

Whether the facial injuries are to the teeth, bone structures, or the facial soft tissues; you can trust that the care you'll receive at Davis Dental Center will be understanding, compassionate, and expertly qualified to restore your smile to its healthy and natural state.

Sedation Dentistry

Davis Dental Center has the credentials necessary to perform conscious sedation dentistry.

TMD

If you experience ongoing pain in the area near your ear, your jaw, or the muscles on the side of your face, possibly accompanied by a clicking or popping sound or restricted jaw movement, you may be suffering from TMD — an abbreviation for Temporomandibular disorders.

Periodontal Therapy

Oral Cancer Screening

Although oral cancer may not get as much attention as some more widely-known types of cancer, that doesn't mean it's any less deadly. In fact, it is estimated that in the United States, oral cancer is responsible for killing one person every hour, every day.

Crowns & Bridgework

Dentistry is an art as well as a science; dental crowns offer a perfect example of this. A dental crown or “cap” is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth. It can even replace a tooth entirely as part of dental bridgework.

Cosmetic Tooth Bonding

We are proud of the ways in which dentistry can restore broken or decayed teeth to full beauty and function. One of the easiest and least expensive ways of doing this is with dental bonding.

Clear Aligners

Straighten your teeth with a clear alternative to metal braces. (For Example: Invisalign®)

Clear aligners are a removable, discreet orthodontic treatment. They consist of a series of trays that you wear for several weeks at a time. As your teeth gently move into position, you start using the next set of trays.

Dental Implants

Implants are made of titanium and have special coatings that encourage the fusing of human bone. The top of each implant has an internal screw channel so that crowns, bridges, and or dentures can be screwed in place.

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a thin, protective coating that bonds to the surface of your teeth. When properly applied, sealants can help prevent cavities.

Dentures

Tooth loss is challenging on many levels. Not only can it affect what you eat and how you chew leading to more serious health concerns, it can also make you feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Extractions

While many of us do our best to keep our teeth healthy, sometimes a tooth needs to be taken out to keep you healthy. In these cases, an extraction is necessary.

Fillings

Dental fillings are the most conservative way to restore smaller areas of tooth decay. In a dental expert's hands, these types of restorations can be made to conserve as much of your natural tooth as possible while providing a restoration that is almost indistinguishable from the natural tooth. Both resin and porcelain fillings can be adhesively bonded to your natural tooth to add strength.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical endodontic treatment. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and involves opening the crown of the tooth, exposing the roots and pulp of the tooth. When the pulp and root is exposed the infected areas of the tooth are removed.

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.

Teeth Cleaning

At Davis Dental Center, we believe that getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

Teeth Whitening

Let our team help you determine what whitening process is right for you, based on the current color and condition of your teeth.

Veneers

A wafer-thin glass shell that can be bonded to the front of your teeth to mask their shape, color, or size. The highest quality veneers are made individually by hand and are hard to distinguish from natural teeth. veneers can be used to remarkably transform the smile of patients who have worn, chipped, or discolored teeth. Slightly crooked teeth can be straightened as well. Hand-made porcelain veneers are typically very translucent and when bonded to your teeth they are very lifelike.