Why You Should Consider Visiting an Oral Surgeon

Many people consider oral surgery to be a drastic step and are often alarmed when their dentist suggests that they need to meet with and get treated by an oral surgeon. The reality is, there are numerous issues that cannot be dealt with by your regular dentist. When you have a condition like TMJ, impacted teeth, facial pain, or any number of other problems, you will need to get oral surgery. Oral surgeons even treat things like tumors from oral cancer and can also perform cosmetic facial surgery to improve the appearance of your smile. With the wide range of conditions that are corrected with oral surgery, you should not be alarmed or concerned if your dentist wants to refer you to an oral surgeon to deal with a particular issue.

Oral surgery is often a confusing term for patients, who look at everything in layman’s terms. For example, what is the difference between getting a root canal and having to remove your impacted wisdom teeth, other than the fact that one is done by your dentist and the other requires the services of an oral surgeon? This is exactly the same as in medicine when some simple procedures can be done by your general practice doctor, while other procedures need to be dealt with by a surgeon. The most common oral surgery procedures are removing impacted teeth and getting dental implants placed.

Impacted wisdom teeth are one of the most common problems that adults across the country have to deal with. Impacted wisdom teeth have to be removed using oral surgery. For most adults, their wisdom teeth appear much later than the other teeth. Since these are the third molars, there has to be enough room in the mouth and the jaw to allow the teeth to come in. Unfortunately, most times, the teeth do not have the room to come in straight or completely out of the gum. This is considered impacted and can have a significant and damaging effect on the teeth around the impacted wisdom tooth. Oral surgery can remove the teeth, preventing damage to the surrounding teeth and often relieving pain and swelling.

Another common reason for getting oral surgery is to replace lost or badly damaged teeth with dental implants. Dental implants are an excellent alternative to dentures or bridges for people who have lost their teeth. A tiny titanium screw is placed into the jawbone to act as the support for a fake tooth that is placed above the gum line. The new fake tooth is called a dental crown. Dental implants are extremely successful, very permanent, and last a very long time, but they do require oral surgery to place since they are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Often, people who have suffered bone loss in their jaw must have the bone replaced or augmented with oral surgery.

An oral surgeon is trained and skilled in the use of anesthesia to help make any procedure you get comfortable and as painless as possible.

Tips for Gum Recession Prevention

Gum recession can affect any person, even someone who has a healthy mouth. According to many studies, approximately 50 percent of people have some form of gum recession. Once you develop gum recession, it can be hard to combat, but it is not impossible. To avoid the extra hassle and dental costs, try these tips to prevent gum recession altogether.

Gum Recession Definition and Causes

Gum recession typically occurs after a person has had gum disease, which is the infection and inflammation of the gum line. It is a side effect of the gums fighting off infection and growing weaker. Because of the stress, the tissues gradually break down. Gum recession can also occur simply due to congenital causes like thin, fragile gums, which is why so many people with healthy teeth and gums experience it. You also risk developing gum recession if you brush your teeth too vigorously daily. The persistent pressure on your gum line can cause it to recede. Crowded teeth and small jawbones are a few other causes of gum recession, in addition to many others. When gum recession occurs, the gingival margin (gum line) will gradually move away from the crown of the tooth, eventually exposing roots, causing discomfort, and leading to tooth loss.

Gum Recession Prevention

Brushing and Flossing

The best way to prevent gum recession is to keep up with proper oral hygiene practices. You should brush and floss daily. Brush your teeth at least twice every day, but more brushing, like after meals, is encouraged. You should floss once a day to keep food particles and bacteria from getting wedged into your gum line. Mouthwash can also be used daily after brushing and flossing to kill extra bacteria. These practices will help prevent gum disease that could lead to gum recession.

Regular Dentist Visits

Visiting the dentist regularly is also a great way to prevent gum recession. A dentist will be able to tell if you could be experiencing the early signs of gum disease or gum recession. They will be able to treat these conditions to prevent them from developing further. A dentist can also keep your teeth as clean as possible, so the likelihood of developing gum disease and recession is lessened.

Braces

Since crowded teeth can lead to gum recession, going through braces treatment could straighten your teeth and prevent recession from occurring. Braces can also make your teeth generally easier to clean, which leads to a healthier mouth overall.

Tips on Brushing

If you brush your teeth too aggressively, gum recession is inevitable. Try brushing your teeth with a firm but gentle circular motion to clean each tooth thoroughly and gently. If you need tips on getting the best clean without harming your gums, talk to a dentist. You should also ask your dentist what type of toothbrush is best for you.

These simple steps could help prevent gum recession. If receding gums are hereditary in your family, talk to your dentist about others ways you could keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. We can fill you in on everything you should know about the causes and treatment of gum recession.

Oral Surgery: What You Should Know About Extractions

One of the most common oral surgery procedures we perform is the removal, or extraction, of wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth tend to grow at odd angles within the mouth. When they are not straight, wisdom teeth can grow sideways, remaining under the gum and causing all kinds of problems with the other teeth. This is known as the wisdom teeth being impacted, which requires oral surgery to extract. Like all surgery, oral surgery is something we plan for very carefully, making sure you understand all the elements that go into a successful surgery, including after surgical care and how to properly heal. When it comes to oral surgery, we are especially careful given the location of the procedure.

When you have impacted wisdom teeth, we need to perform an oral surgery to remove them. This process is typically done at the dentist office, so you are in a known and comfortable environment. Naturally, there is always the chance your dentist will decide that you need to be moved to a hospital for the oral surgery. Typically, this only happens when there is more than one tooth to be removed, the process could be longer and more complicated than a simple extraction, or if there is a concern about the patient's overall health. One thing to note: if your oral surgeon or dentist finds an active infection in your mouth, they will put off the oral surgery till a different day. This is because we never want to operate in the mouth when there is an active infection and so will prescribe a course of antibiotics to remove the infection before you go in for your oral surgery.

Most oral surgery, including wisdom tooth extractions, are performed under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia can also be used, which numbs the gums and tissue around the tooth. General anesthesia will put you to sleep, meaning you will be unaware of the process, feel absolutely no discomfort, and awake in a slightly groggy state. Because this procedure and any oral surgery done under general anesthesia requires the need to put you to sleep, we will require you to not eat anything for at least 12 hours before the procedure takes place.

For a wisdom tooth extraction, we start the oral surgery by cutting the gum open to reveal the tooth. If there is any connective tissue that is connecting the tooth to the bone, we will remove this first so the tooth is not holding the bone. If there is any bone covering the tooth, or teeth, we will remove that as well, so the extraction path is clear. Finally, we will remove the tooth, cutting it into smaller pieces if necessary for a smooth extraction. After the oral surgery is completed, we will close up the extraction site with self-dissolving stitches. These will eventually dissolve completely.
After any surgery, including oral surgery, you will need to take it easy for a few days. Pain medications can be used in the event you have any discomfort.

Cosmetic Dentist  >  Implant Dentist

Your Gum Health Is Critically Important and a Periodontist Can Keep Gums Healthy

As a periodontist, we can restore your oral health by treating any signs of gum disease. Many people are unaware of how important gum health is to overall health. Your gums are what hold your teeth securely in place, and without them, your teeth could become loose and even fall out. We can help to prevent this and other complications that can arise by gum disease.

If you have not been to the dentist lately, there are several signs of gum disease you should watch for. Most of these you will notice when brushing your teeth. To start, look and see if your teeth appear longer than they used to. If so, this could be a sign of gum recession or your gums pulling away from your tooth structure. You should also look to see if your gums appear red, swollen, or are bleeding when you brush and floss your teeth. These can all be indicators of gum disease, and if you catch the condition early, you may not need a major treatment. However, the longer you let this condition fester, the more discomfort you will feel on a daily basis and the more intensive of a procedure will be necessary to correct the problem.

There are several ways a periodontist can restore your gums, including:
Deep cleaning. Very often, we can treat gum disease by performing a deep cleaning. Since gum disease is typically caused by plaque building up and becoming trapped under the gums, removing the plaque and tartar will remove the irritant and allow your gums to be restored to perfect health. This is the first step in any treatment plan because if the plaque remains, your gums will become unhealthy again.

Laser therapy. We use lasers to treat gum disease and to restore the health of the gums themselves. We can use them to break up the plaque under the gums and as a way to rejuvenate the gums and prompt growth due to gum recession.

Gum grafting. When the gums have receded to the point that your teeth are exposed and potentially becoming loose, major steps are required to correct it. We can do so using a gum graft. This is where tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth or from a donor and sutured to your gums before being pulled back around the teeth. Performing this procedure will help to keep your gums safe after they have receded. We also have a non-invasive method for doing this that does not require sutures or removing tissue from the roof of your mouth. To discuss our innovative solutions, call and schedule a consultation.

To schedule an appointment with a periodontist, call our office today. We are experts at what we do and will examine you before determining what type of procedure you need to ensure excellent gum health. Since we use a variety of treatment methods, you can count on us when you need treatment and want to recover quickly.

Gum Recession  >  Oral Surgery

How Dental Implants Can Change Your Life

If you have lost some of your teeth, you may not realize what a big difference dental implants can make. For many people, dental implants are life changing. This compilation of three ways dental implants can change your life is just the beginning of the many benefits they can provide.

Dental Implants Help You Stay Young Looking

Dental implants not only improve the necessary function of your teeth, but they can also drastically improve your appearance, making you look years younger. Implants make your smile fuller, filling in drooping areas of your cheeks, jawline, and lips. Once you receive dental implants, you will immediately notice that your facial skin is firmer, and your wrinkles are less noticeable. No matter what your age is, when you lose teeth it tends to make you look a decade older or more because you do not have a strong structure to keep your skin taut, and you develop a sunken appearance in your face. If you go without teeth too long, you may even lose bone structure since there are not teeth in place to keep your jawbone and other teeth from shifting.

Dental Implants Improve Your Chances of Succeeding in Your Career

Your smile is the first thing the majority of people will notice about you and one of the most vivid memories they will hold of your face. If you have less than impressive teeth, it may give off a false impression of your hygiene and happiness. Make a great first impression by receiving quality dental implants that look and feel real while also greatly improving your smile.

People who smile more often give off the impression of being more confident and content in life. When you are trying to succeed in life, it is important to look and feel confident so you can surpass your expectations and other's expectations of you. Allow us to give you more confidence and success by providing you with dental implants that perfectly fill in your already beautiful smile.

Dental Implants Make it Easier to Eat a Healthy Diet

When you are missing teeth, it is often easier to opt for foods that are not challenging to chew, but these foods also tend to have less nutritional value. Not getting proper nutrients can lead to the loss of more teeth, bone loss, weight loss, blood sugar problems, and long-term health risks. When you are ready to enjoy a proper meal again, complete with all the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, dental implants can provide you with this power. Dental implants can also help you eat foods that you miss that you may not have been able to eat in years. Eating the foods you love makes life more enjoyable and provides you with a long life.

The procedure to receive dental implants typically only takes two to three visits, and within a few months, you will have strong, working teeth again. The artificial tooth roots that hold your replacement teeth in place are made of a titanium metal that fuses with your jawbone to create the strongest possible substitute for missing teeth. Dental implants can act on their own as replacement teeth, or they can be used to support dentures or dental bridges as needed.  The options and benefits of dental implants are numerous and can change your life for the better in a few simple visits to our office.

Periodontist  >  Cosmetic Dentist

An Implant Dentist Explains How Dental Implants Work

If you are interested in receiving dental implants to replace missing teeth, an implant dentist in our office can help you better understand the procedure that will take place to make this happen. Receiving dental implants is an exciting time and will provide you with attractive, hard-working teeth for years to come, but you should also be prepared to undergo the necessary procedure. We can help you learn what to expect during this process.

Consultation with an Implant Dentist

Before your procedure is solidified, you will need to meet with an implant dentist in our office so we can ensure dental implants are the right tooth replacement option for you. There are many factors we will consider such as general bone and soft tissue health, whether or not you have recently had periodontal disease (gum disease), and if your remaining jawbone is strong enough to support the implant. If you have a healthy mouth, you will most likely qualify for dental implants.

Dental implants are different from dentures and dental bridges, but they can be used as a base structure for dentures and bridges when necessary. Dental implants are typically stronger, longer-lasting, and more realistic in appearance than other tooth replacement choices. In some cases, they are also more costly, but the price is affordable when you consider an implant is as strong or stronger than your natural teeth, and the implant post itself should never need to be replaced.

How Dental Implants are Placed by an Implant Dentist

A dental implant is a post made up of titanium, a metal that is biocompatible and will eventually fuse with your jawbone. The post is basically a tooth root replacement, and it is surgically implanted into your jawbone. After implantation, it will take a few weeks to months for the implant post to osseointegrate with your bone. Once the fusion is complete, it will form the strongest replacement option for a missing tooth. Once the implant is stable, an abutment will be placed on the long-lasting implant. An artificial tooth will be screwed onto or bonded to this abutment. The artificial replacement tooth can be an individual prosthetic in the form of a custom-created crown top, a dental bridge, or even partial dentures. One implant can support a larger structure, making it an optimal option for one who is missing several teeth.

After Dental Implant Placement

Once an implant dentist finishes placing your dental implants, you will get to use your implants just like natural teeth. They should also be cared for like you would care for your real teeth. The stable implants allow you to chew the foods you couldn't while missing teeth, and they give you the ability to smile with confidence again. Dental implants will also prevent your face from looking sunken in and older because implants help maintain the natural, firm shape of your face.

To learn more about how dental implants are placed and how they can benefit your life, visit our office to speak with an implant dentist about receiving your very own dental implants.

Sleep Dentist  >  Oral Surgery

FAQ's from a Cosmetic Dentist

As a cosmetic dentist, we are regularly asked questions about our practice and our approach to dental care.  Many patients want to know what the difference is between a cosmetic dentist and a general dentist. In the beginning – nothing.  All dentists start with the same basic education in order to receive their degree in dentistry.  Afterward, certain dentists go on to receive additional education and training or focus their practice on a specific area of dentistry.  This is where you will begin to see the differences. As a cosmetic dentist, we believe that there does not need to be a distinction between procedures that are beneficial for your health and ones that also improve the appearance of your smile.  We understand that by changing the materials that we use or the way that we perform a procedure, we can address both issues at the same time.  This is beneficial for our patients overall well being.

In addition to being a cosmetic dentist, we are unique in that we focus on more complex procedures.  With that in mind here are some facts that you should know –

Does a cosmetic dentist have a different way of replacing teeth?
Tooth loss is an incredibly common problem with most adults facing it at some point during their lifetime.  Our goal is to replace your teeth in a way that feels, looks and behaves entirely natural.  This is the best solution for your oral health and also for your appearance and well-being.  This is why we offer dental implants.  This is the only surgically placed solution to tooth loss.  In this procedure, we implant a titanium post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  Titanium is unique in that the body treats it like organic matter.  As a result, the titanium post and jaw will fuse together.  This process takes a few months, but it has amazing health benefits because the implant will begin to provide the jaw with the stimulation it needs to prevent resorption.  Simultaneously, the implant will be as secure as a natural tooth.  The end result is a tooth that looks and behaves so naturally that even you will have a difficult time telling it apart from your natural teeth.  Since we specialize in oral surgery in our office, we are confident in our ability to provide you with superior results.

Is there a better way to treat gum disease?
Yes, as a cosmetic dentist, we focus on using the latest technology to treat gum disease.  We believe that we can provide patients with the same high-quality care in a less invasive manner.  This is better for your health and the appearance of your gums.  As a result, we use laser treatments to both clean the gums and to restore them once they have started to recede.  This means no sutures.

How can a damaged tooth be saved?
While we can certainly help with extractions, we believe in the importance of maintaining natural teeth whenever possible.  As such, we recommend that damaged teeth be restored whenever possible. This can be done using dental bonding, dental veneers, or dental crowns – all of which can look entirely natural.

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, call and schedule a consultation.

Implant Dentist  >  Gum Recession

Dental Oral Surgery and Gum Recession

If you need oral surgery for gum recession, we can help. It may sound scary, but our gum recession oral surgery will actually benefit your smile and oral health, rather than harm them. Oral surgery sounds more invasive than it is. We can provide you with a minimally invasive gum graft that will protect your teeth from the damage caused by gum recession.

Gum Recession

If you have questions about what gum recession is or what damage it can do, you can learn more by reading further or visiting our office. Gum recession affects up to 12 percent of adults, and it occurs when the margin of gum tissue surrounding the teeth begins to pull away or wear down. Gum recession is a gradual process that can occur over a several years. This process exposes teeth and vulnerable teeth roots. When the gums pull away from the teeth, pockets form, leaving an opening for bacteria to grow and harm the supporting dental structure of your teeth and gums. You could eventually experience persistent discomfort, tooth loss, and other structural damage. If you are unsure of whether or not you may have receding gums, visit our office for confirmation. It is vital to have gum recession treated as soon as possible in order for you to keep your smile natural-looking and healthy.

Gum Recession Causes

There are many causes of gum recession. Your genes are a major factor, with nearly 30 percent of patients having a predisposition for gum recession. Gum recession can be catalyzed by brushing and flossing too vigorously every day. Firm pressure is necessary to remove plaque, but a quality toothbrush should be doing most of the work, not intense pressure.

Periodontal disease, a severe gum infection, is another common cause of gum recession. Periodontal disease creates chronically inflamed gums that begin to deteriorate due to bacteria. If periodontal disease is not treated, it can easily get out of hand and cause accelerated gum recession and dental structure damage. Hormonal changes and poor oral hygiene are other reasons gum recession occurs. To learn more about how you can combat gum recession by caring for your teeth and gums properly, visit our office for instructions.

Oral Surgery for Gum Recession

Oral surgery also referred to as gum surgery, can be performed if you need to have your gums repaired before more damage occurs. The oral surgery we perform will provide more protection for your teeth and keep your dental structure from discomfort and infection. We can also provide you with oral surgery if you are interested in improving the appearance of your smile. Gum recession can cause your teeth to appear longer or protrude. A gum surgery can revert them back to their attractive, normal appearance. Before oral surgery, you will most likely receive a deep clean that could help your gums rebound on their own. Oral surgery options for gum recession include gum grafts, pocket reduction surgery, and tissue regeneration, among others.

When you visit our office for gum recession oral surgery, we will go into detail about the options you have for treatment. We will try to make the least invasive options work before we consider other surgical treatments. We will be able to improve your smile and your dental health in no time.

Gum Recession  >  Cosmetic Dentist

Our Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation Procedure Is a Safe Way to Restore Your Gums While Pregnant

Approximately half of the population of the United States suffers from gum recession; now, our minimally invasive pinhole surgical rejuvenation can restore gums, even if you are pregnant. Until now, there have been improvement options available, but they require long healing periods and invasive procedures. This unique procedure allows us to drastically improve the appearance of receding gums with little surgical intervention. The “surgery” that does occur is performed through a tiny, needle-point-size hole. This treatment is safe for pregnant women and encouraged if gum recession is a bothersome issue.

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation

No one likes the appearance of receding gums. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also put your teeth and dental health at risk for infection and damage. Potential problems include teeth that look grossly elongated, discoloration of teeth, quicker and more extensive tooth decay, root damage, and even tooth loss. With pinhole surgical rejuvenation, you can have gum recession corrected before it causes these problems, in an incision-free, suture-free procedure. A needle makes a tiny hole, through which specially designed surgical instruments loosen areas of gum tissue and place it back over the exposed area of the tooth. The gum tissues can also be rejuvenated with a unique collagen material. No cutting is necessary for the procedure, so the healing time is minimal and symptoms following the procedure are minimal or nonexistent. You will also be able to see an immediate improvement in your gum recession.

Why Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation Is Safe During Pregnancy

More bacteria naturally occur in the mouths of pregnant women. If receding gums exist, you are already at risk for an infection. Any dental treatment or procedure that requires incisions or invasive work can leave healing wounds that may easily develop into an infection due to the overproduction of bacteria. Since no incisions will be made with pinhole surgical rejuvenation, side effects like bleeding, swelling, and discomfort are kept at a minimum, and infection never occurs.

With traditional procedures used to improve gum recession, like gum grafting, the use of donor tissue or tissue from another area in the mouth is used to rebuild the gum line. This process takes several incision sites and sutures, as well as a long recovery time. The longer it takes for a wound or incision to heal, the longer it is exposed to bacteria that already exists in the mouth. Antibiotics can be taken during this time, but any unnecessary medication use is advised against during pregnancy. Instead of risking the complications of other gum recession improvement techniques, visit us for a safe and effective pinhole surgical rejuvenation.

Following pinhole surgical rejuvenation, you will notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of your smile and gums. The results speak for themselves: according to the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, 95 percent of patients who have undergone this procedure are happy with their results. Please call or visit our office if you would like more information about pinhole surgical rejuvenation and how it can improve your smile, even during pregnancy.

Laser Dentistry  >  Periodontist

Who Is at Risk for Gum Recession?

Gum recession is a common problem that affects the dental structure of many people. Most patients do not even know they have receding gums because it occurs over an extended period of time. Gum recession is a long process in which the edge of the gum tissue that attaches to the tooth's surface begins to wear and pull back, revealing more of your tooth and the structures that support it. As gum recession occurs, pockets in the gums can form, leaving them more vulnerable to bacteria buildup and severe gum disease. The first signs you may have gum recession are tooth sensitivity, gum redness, gum irritation, or teeth that appear long. If not treated, gum recession can lead to tooth root exposure, tooth loss, and the damage of the supporting bone structure.

Signs of High-Risk Gum Recession Candidates

Gum recession can occur for many reasons. Commonly, gum recession is a genetic problem. Other contributors to gum recession are gum disease, poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, pregnancy, menopause, teeth grinding, aggressive teeth brushing, and crooked teeth.

Gum Disease: Gum disease as a result of poor oral hygiene is the main cause of receding gums. Gum disease, or the more severe version, periodontal disease, is a bacterial gum infection that causes chronic inflammation, tissue deterioration, gum bleeding, discomfort, and potentially tooth loss. Since gum disease causes so much inflammation and tissue deterioration in the gums, gum recession is one of the most prevalent symptoms. Gum disease can be prevented by visiting the dentist regularly and employing proper at-home oral hygiene care.

Poor Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene quickly leads to an overproduction of bacteria and plaque in the mouth. When plaque is not removed by regular brushing and dentist visits, it develops into a harder form called tartar that can only be removed professionally. Tartar and bacteria growth lead to inflamed gums and gum disease, which have the symptom of gum recession.

Tobacco Use: The toxins in tobacco irritate the soft gum tissues, leading to inflammation. Chronic inflammation can cause tissue depletion and recession.

Pregnancy and Menopause: Pregnancy, menopause, and other hormonal changes contribute to gum recession. The hormone fluctuation makes gums more sensitive to everyday use, leading to gum recession.

Teeth Grinding: Vast amounts of unnecessary pressure caused by teeth grinding and other bad habits, like nail biting, lead to gum recession.

Aggressive Teeth Brushing: If you are brushing your teeth too hard, your gums will gradually get pushed further back, resulting in gum recession and exposed tooth roots. When brushing, use a firm, but gentle circular motion to thoroughly cleanse each tooth and the gums. No excessive pressure is needed.

Crooked Teeth: When your teeth are crooked, different areas receive more pressure during chewing and speaking. This can lead to heavy use and pressure on certain areas of your gums, which will then cause gum recession. If you have one or two teeth that continually irritate an area of your gums, you may notice gum recession in this localized area. Crooked teeth also make it harder to reach every inch of your gums during flossing, which can lead to bacteria buildup and gum recession.

These are just a few reasons why some patients are at more of a risk of developing gum recession. We can help stop your gum recession, remove damaged tissue and bacteria, and improve the structure of your gums when you visit our office. If you have questions about how you can prevent gum recession, we can also answer those inquiries.

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation  >  Oral Surgery

Change Your Smile With Help From a Cosmetic Dentist

Imagine if your cosmetic dentist could have a direct impact on the way people view you, improving your social interactions and making it so you always make a perfect first impression. In a sense, that is exactly what a cosmetic dentist intends to do by improving your smile in a number of different ways. Why is a smile so important? The smile is probably the most used of all our facial features. We use it to portray interest, friendliness, competence, and a range of other emotions. We sometimes even smile when we need to pause to think about something before we speak. As such, the smile is an important part of our non-verbal language, especially when it comes to first impressions.

We have found that people make first critical judgments very quickly. In fact, first impressions are usually made within the first 15 seconds, sometimes as quickly as seven seconds, after meeting someone new. In this brief interlude, there is not much for a person to go on, and so the smile becomes of paramount importance. Fifty-three percent of people who were polled in a recent study stated that the first thing they notice about a person is their smile. Eighty-nine percent of the participants reported that a great smile is one of the key elements that makes a person more attractive to them. When you consider how important a first impression is in a situation like a job interview, it becomes imperative that you have a great smile that only your cosmetic dentist can help you achieve.

As a cosmetic dentist, we have a broad range of tools and procedures at our disposal to help you achieve your smile goals. Typically, we will start our relationship with a detailed consultation that will examine the goals you have, do a full examination of your mouth, and set a plan in motion to get you to your perfect smile. It is important to have questions and an idea of where you want to go with your smile as we talk. This allows us to pick procedures, set a timeline, and have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish. For some things that need correcting, the procedures may take a little longer. An example of this is malocclusion, also known as crooked teeth, which could require braces or even oral surgery to correct, treatments that can last for months to a year or longer. Other treatments tend to be shorter in nature and work faster towards a better-looking smile. Of these, teeth whitening has become increasingly popular, so much so these days, it has spawned a multibillion-dollar, do-it-yourself industry that allows you to even do teeth whitening in the comfort of your own home. Another very popular tool a cosmetic dentist uses to correct stubborn stains, discoloration, damaged enamel, and even small chips and cracks are dental veneers. These ultra-thin pieces of porcelain are quick fixes to a number of issues and can be placed to give you a better-looking smile in one or two visits.

Implant Dentist  >  Oral Surgery

Dental Implants Have Revolutionized The Process of Replacing Teeth

Dental implants have done a great deal towards changing how people view tooth loss. For too many years losing a tooth meant that you would have to deal with wires, dental cement, and gooey adhesives to hold your false teeth in place. Today dental implants have created a system that not only gives you a new fake tooth, which is known in dentistry as the crown, but also replaces the root of the tooth that has been lost as well. This makes dental implants the most sophisticated, and the most stable, way to replace your teeth when they have been lost to diseases, age, or accident. Since this is a new technology for many people, there is often a number of questions that patients have regarding dental implants. Mostly this springs from wanting to understand how the technology works, what is the process for getting dental implants placed, and if you as a patient are eligible for receiving dental implants. For the last question, it is a little bit more involved than a simple yes or no answer. Simply put virtually anyone can get a dental implant if they are able to meet certain physical requirements.

It is important to remember that dental implants are placed by an oral surgeon or a periodontist because it is a surgical procedure to place the dental implant directly into the jawbone. In addition, there are a few conditions that may preclude you from getting dental implants. Some of these include people who have untreated periodontal diseases, patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and people who have a heavy addiction to cigarettes or alcohol.

From a success perspective, dental implants are among the most highly rated devices available for tooth loss. While conservative estimates place the success rate of dental implants between 92% and 94%, there are other studies that show a national trend of 98% success ratios. For us, we know that percentages are good but also like to look at success from the perspective of how many decades our patients are able to use their dental implants without any problems. To achieve these high set goals we are very diligent about the process and take a painstakingly careful approach to the preparation. As such your journey to get dental implant will begin with a two-step consultation.

First we will talk about dental implants, your goals, and what is involved, and then you will have an extremely comprehensive oral examination. The oral examination tells us how healthy your mouth is while dental imaging technology is used to determine the health and density of your jawbone. Using x-rays and a CT scan we can tell if your jawbone has the required density to support and provide stability to a dental implant. In many cases, patients have experienced a loss in jawbone mass due to resorption, which we can correct using an alveolar bone graft. Using an onlay bone graft, we can create a dense block of bone that can sustain a dental implant. Healing takes around 6 months, following which we will be able to place the implant successfully.

Oral Surgery  >  Cosmetic Dentist

How Laser Dentistry is Used During Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is easier than ever with our laser dentistry technology. You will experience a less invasive surgery with fewer possible side effects and a faster recovery time. Our lasers use an intense beam of light and heat to perform detailed procedures without harming the surrounding teeth and oral tissues. Since the beginning of laser use in the late 1980’s, the laser dentistry technology has become more powerful than ever, providing trusted and long-lasting results.

Benefits of Laser Therapy, aka Laser Dentistry

Like mentioned above, laser dentistry allows for a fast recovery time and a less invasive surgery for patients. This provides convenience and less chair time for each patient. Many of our laser treatments do not require anesthesia which allows patients to leave our office directly following surgery without feeling hesitant or nervous about driving with an anesthetic in their system. Even though they leave your system quickly following a procedure and are completely safe, many people are still wary of the option. Also, because our laser treatments are so precise, there is a lower chance of bacterial infection developing. There is also less possibility of scar tissue developing or bleeding and swelling following surgery. With all of these benefits, our patients go into their oral surgery comfortably with their minds at complete ease.

Types of Laser Dentistry

There are two main types of laser dentistry that branch out into multiple types of procedures. There is hard tissue laser dentistry and soft tissue laser dentistry. Hard tissue laser therapy includes treatment of cavity detection and removal, as well as the application of dental fillings. This type of laser dentistry is used to improve sensitivities in teeth and to perform an alternative root canal therapy to the classic methods.

The second type of laser dentistry is soft tissue laser therapy. When your gums need reshaping, redirecting, or general gum surgery, we can use soft tissue laser dentistry as a less invasive option to those performed using traditional dental tools. We can also provide you with a muscle attachment improvement, oral lesion or tumor removal, biopsies, periodontal disease treatment, removal of bacteria from below your gum line, and sleep apnea treatment with the use of laser dentistry. These are all considered soft tissue laser dentistry.

Where Laser Dentistry Cannot Be Used

Although there are many areas of oral surgery and general non-invasive procedures in which laser dentistry can be used, there are a few areas in which it cannot. The additional use of polishing tools may be needed to finish off fillings in order to create a smooth surface. Shaping tools may also be employed. Laser dentistry may not be used around some already placed fillings and crowns.
Our office has found that laser dentistry is more useful and versatile than many realize. For those suffering from anxiety when faced with traditional tools, laser dentistry is a safe and viable option that may produce less fear in patients. Our laser dentistry technology is advanced and can perform smooth and successful oral surgery. Contact our office to learn more about this state-of-the-art technology.

Learn How to Prevent Gum Recession

Having gum recession can be frustrating, aesthetically unpleasant, and detrimental to your oral health. If you have started noticing signs of gum recession, or you just want to ensure that it never develops, we have some tips that might be helpful for you to begin utilizing.

•    Visit the dentist.
It may sound like an obvious solution, but many people avoid visiting the dentist on a regular basis. This prevents them from realizing when they may be at risk for gum recession. When you visit a dentist for an appointment, we can notify you if we notice any signs of recession or gum disease. We can also direct you to changes that need to be made to your oral hygiene regimen. This can be invaluable information when you are trying to prevent detrimental and unsightly gum recession.

•    Adjust your brushing habits.
When you use a toothbrush that is too hard or puts too much pressure on your teeth and gums when you brush, you are weakening your oral tissues. Aggressive brushing habits may seem like a good idea to deter plaque from developing, but they are actually making your teeth and gums more vulnerable to other problems like gum recession and tooth loss. Brush your teeth with a firm, but gentle pressure and circular motion. If you have been using a toothbrush with hard bristles, you may also consider getting medium or soft grade bristles.

•    Over flossing may be the culprit.
Flossing is a wonderful habit to have, but when you over floss, you could be weakening your gums. Flossing removes plaque, but once you have flossed once or twice a day, you should avoid doing so anymore unless you have something stuck in your teeth. Flossing too much puts unnecessary pressure on your gums and may encourage them to recede.

•    It may be in your genes.
Unfortunately, you may just have an inherited predisposition for thin gums and gum recession. If this is the case, you should definitely be brushing more gently, and you should consider having a gum graft before your gum recession becomes severe.

•    Biting your nails, pencils, or any other foreign objects.
If you have the habit of putting objects into your mouth to chew on, you may also be scratching your gums without noticing. You should already be trying to stop these biting habits as they are bad for your dental enamel, but they can also lead to gum recession.

•    Periodontal disease could be to blame.
Periodontal disease, a severe form of gum disease, is the main culprit of gum recession. To avoid developing periodontal disease, practice proper oral hygiene and visit a dentist at least twice a year for check-ups and cleanings.
Once you form these habits, you should be on the road to better oral health and less likelihood of developing gum recession. Also, keep in mind that you should visit your dentist every 3-6 months if you think your gums may already be receding. A dentist will be able to keep an eye on the amount of gum tissue you are losing. We can also perform a gum graft as needed and help with extreme cases of gum recession.

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation vs. Tissue Grafting

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation is a relatively new, minimally invasive method used to treat receding gums. This innovative, ground-breaking technology is so new that it is only offered by a very few dentists across the country. Invented and patented by a dentist in Southern California, Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation offers a relatively painless, incision-free alternative to painful and long drawn out tissue grafting which, until very recently, was the only way to treat receding gums.

What Causes a Receding Gum Line?
Receding gums, a fairly common dental problem, expose the lower part of the tooth. Unfortunately, gums recede so gradually that most people do not notice it in the early stages. Usually, the first signs are a sensitive tooth or, a tooth that looks longer than it once did. While genes do sometimes play a part, the most common cause of gum recession is periodontal disease, a bacterial gum infection that infects and destroys gum tissue along with the supporting bone structure. Inadequate oral hygiene causes plaque to build up on and in between your teeth. This sticky substance eventually turns to a much harder substance called tartar that causes gum recession. Once formed, tartar can only be removed professionally.  Too aggressive tooth brushing can also wear away tooth enamel that causes the gums to recede, as does clenching or grinding your teeth. Fluctuating hormone levels such as occur during pregnancy, puberty or menopause, also causes gums to become more sensitive to disease. Poor blood sugar control in diabetics render them more susceptible to gum disease.

Because gum tissue is the only barrier between bacteria and the bones and tissue that support your teeth, if the recession is left untreated, these bones are likely to be damaged which will ultimately lead to tooth loss. The right amount of protection and treatment is, therefore, essential.

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation Vs. Tissue Grafting
Tissue Grafting
If the pockets in your gums are too deep to be restored by a cleaning, then the traditional treatment is a soft tissue graft taken from the patient's palate, or from a donor. This tissue is then sutured on the receding gum covering the previously exposed root. However, as you can imagine, cutting tissue from the roof of the mouth and stitching it onto the gum line is not only uncomfortable, but takes several days to heal. Besides which, the sutures have to be so small that they usually take a long time to do, which means only a couple or so teeth can be treated at one time.

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation
PSL requires no incisions and, therefore, no sutures. After giving you a local anesthetic, we will use a needle to make a small entry point in the gum. A specially designed instrument, inserted through this hole, gently loosens the gum tissue and slides it over the receded part of the gum. This new position is held by several strips of collagen that are inserted through the original pinhole, with the help of a small angled instrument.

And that, quite literally, is all there is to it.

The entire procedure is done in far less time than traditional grafting, which means that several teeth can be treated in one sitting, and the downtime is virtually non-existent.  Although we cut no flaps in your mouth, remove no tissue, make no incisions, and use no sutures, you have a new re-built gum line that is not only much healthier and protects your teeth far more adequately, but also vastly improves your smile.  To learn more about Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation, call and schedule a consultation.

Gum Recession  >  Periodontist

Laser Dentistry is the Way of the Future

Imagining laser dentistry as the wave of the future is not hard. After all, laser technology is growing by leaps and bound, becoming a part of everyday life in fields like medicine. While it is true that we are early adopters, meaning many other clinics are going to be playing catch up, laser dentistry is not a new thing. In fact, laser dentistry has been around for at least two decades, with many dentists adopting parts of the technology as early as the 1990's. The difference between the broadly accepted use of lasers, and what is now being done by 5% of US dentists, is the location of the treatments. We are using lasers, very successfully, to treat all areas of oral health.

Traditionally lasers were only used for oral surgery, something we continue to use them for in our office. Additionally, treatment of the gums and teeth is now a reality, and it is successful upward of 95% of the time. Laser dentistry, for use on oral health challenges like cavities or to remove decay, may sound very futuristic. In reality, we are doing it now, using a technology that is head and shoulders above the competition.

As a laser dentistry practitioner, one of the most frequent questions we are asked is why lasers are considered to be superior to some of the traditional tools used by dentists. We believe in evolution, and dentistry is an evolving practice, with lasers being the up and coming technology. This alone makes them better, but there is much more. For starters, lasers help people who have a profound fear of the dentist chair. We have found that statistically over 20% of all patients, in keeping with the national average, experience a great deal of anxiety when visiting the dentist. An additional 5% to 8% will not even visit the dentist because their fear is so great. A lot of this fear comes from the use of tools like an electric drill inside of the mouth. The drill and other metal dental tools were used on a frequent basis until the advent of laser dentistry. Using a completely soundless laser, we can perform the same procedures in a fraction of the time. For people with fears this means we are not only lessening the time you need to spend in the chair but are also removing the most traumatic part of dentistry, the drill.

Laser dentistry even takes things to the next level in pain management. For procedures like treating gum disease, traditional dentists would need to use anesthesia, either local or general. However, a 2002 Japanese study found that laser dentistry could complete the same procedure without needing any anesthesia at all. In the patients who were treated, 65% experienced no discomfort at all, despite the lack of anesthesia. An additional 22% experienced very mild discomfort while a further 4% experienced tolerable discomfort. In total, 91% of the patients were treated without anesthesia for a very common dental ailment.  We have also found that the use of lasers allows our patients to remain more comfortable during their treatment while also decreasing the overall recovery time.  To learn more, we invite you to call and schedule a consultation.

Periodontist  >  Gum Recession

How a Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve the Shape of Your Gums

As a cosmetic dentist, our greatest pleasure comes from restoring a beautiful smile to perfection. This means that we have spent decades honing our skills in an effort to give you exactly that, a perfect smile. Our craft focuses on the science of dentistry around restoring teeth, whether by making teeth whiter or straighter or by making sure that the gums do not encroach upon the teeth themselves.

As the drive for beauty has gotten more modernized, people have become more aware of what a cosmetic dentist can do for them. The procedures that we consider common and do every single day, have now become well-known terms among people seeking to better their appearance through our expertise. Using teeth whitening, we can give you a brighter smile, with braces and Invisalign we can straighten your teeth and treat malocclusion, with dental veneers or porcelain crowns we can repair teeth that have been cracked, chipped, or broken, and with dentures, bridges, and dental crowns we can actually replace lost teeth. All of these are tools that are well known and give us the opportunity to improve your smile.

There are a number of procedures that we also perform, which are not as well know and yet serve the same purposes. With any number of these techniques, we have found there to be a significant crossover between what is purely aesthetic and what also has significant dental health implications. These two procedures are both cosmetic in nature, hence performed in our cosmetic dentist office, and also have an impact on your health. 

As a cosmetic dentist, we perform multiple procedures that revolve around the gums, gum health, and the appearance of the gums. For those suffering from dental disorders like periodontitis, these procedures can make a significant difference to their appearance and health. If you have periodontitis, your gums will separate from the teeth. This separation leads to the formation of deep pockets within the gums. Not only do these pockets look terrible, but they are also hazardous to the health of the teeth, gums, and jawbone. Because these pockets are very hard to clean, they start to build up plaque. This in turn can lead to a bacterial infection and additional gum diseases. Hence, it is important for us to remove these pockets.

To do so, we will inject the site with local anesthesia. Then we will remove all the flabby, or loose tissue, which is helping to create the pockets.  Often, during this process, the gums can become misshapen and so we will reshape your gums while doing the procedure. Finally, putty is often placed over the gums so that they are well protected during the initial healing phases. 

Gum Contouring

The gums play a vital role in your mouth’s health. They are also one of the first things a person sees, other than your teeth when you smile. A gum contouring can ensure that your gums are not too long, not too short and that they are the perfect shape to give you an elegant smile. In our cosmetic dentist office, we focus on oral surgery and improving the health and appearance of your gums.  This is one of the ways that we do so.  Given our expertise, if you want to change the shape or appearance of your gums, we recommend that you call and schedule a consultation with our dental office.

What Are the Main Causes of Gum Recession?

Many people don’t realize they are at risk for gum recession, but there are many hidden causes. Gum recession can be an uncomfortable and aesthetically unappealing problem for many people. Our guide to the causes of gum recession may help you avoid this unfortunate circumstance. Prevention this condition is possible, you just have to know how.

Periodontal disease is the most common offender when it comes to causing gum recession. Periodontal Disease is often more simply referred to as gum disease.  It begins with common plaque growth on your teeth or mistreatment of your gums. Plaque is a bacterial form created by poor dental hygiene. In some plaque instances, the lack of thorough brushing and flossing may be the culprit. Consuming sugary or acidic substances without washing your mouth out or employing dental care also causes plaque. When plaque stays on your teeth long enough it turns into tartar, causing tooth decay and gum inflammation. Gum inflammation is also called Gingivitis. At this stage, it is easy to turn around your oral health and eliminate these problems by a simple visit to your dentist for treatment. If these offenders go unchallenged, they can turn into a more serious issue— periodontal disease. This is a deep gum infection that causes your gums to disengage from your teeth, leading to gum recession.

People who commonly use tobacco products are at high risk for gum recession.  Smoke, nicotine, and chewing tobacco all make blood vessels in your gums constrict, causing blood loss to important tissues. They also cause gum irritation and inflammation in general. Chronic inflammation can lead to gum disease, and in turn, gum recession.

Crooked teeth and orthodontic straightening treatments are two more unfortunate circumstances that can cause gum recession. If your teeth are naturally misaligned, the strenuous brushing and flossing process it takes to clean your teeth may irritate your gums. The natural tendency of your teeth to pull against each other may also put stress on your gums. Alternately, if you have orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, the process can be done too quickly. If this happens, it can move your teeth too quickly for your gums to adjust correctly. Make sure your orthodontist knows about your concerns and adjusts braces and aligning mechanisms appropriately and slowly.

Finally, it is incredibly important that you seek annual dental care. Your dentist can instruct you on proper teeth and gum treatment and on how to avoid possible gum recession. They can also catch issues before you may notice that they are occurring. Fortunately, gum recession does not have to be a problem for your oral health. Take preventative precautions and maintain excellent oral hygiene in your daily life. Don’t brush too briskly or floss too harshly. Treat your gums and teeth with the best care and notify your dentist if you notice any inflammation, discoloration, or discomfort of your gums. The proper care and attention is needed to provide you with the best odds against the many causes of gum recession.  If, however, your gums do recede, we are a specialist that provides non-invasive treatment options to restore your gums to excellent health.