periodontal disease

Periodontics Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of periodontics, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to periodontics are discussed.

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Surgical Services

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening (or crown exposure) is required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration. The edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and not accessible by your dentist. It is also usually too close to the bone or below the bone.

The procedure involves adjusting the level of the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question to create a new gum-to–tooth relationship. This allows your dentist to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. This allows you to clean the edge of the restoration when you brush and floss to prevent decay and gum disease. The procedure takes approximately one hour.

Pocket Depth Reduction (flap) Surgery

Is recommended because you have pockets that are too deep to clean with daily at-home oral hygiene and a professional care program. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue (flap) and removes the disease-causing bacteria before securing the tissue into place. By folding back the gum tissue, the periodontist gains access for better visibility to the diseased root surfaces and bone. Often, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone. Often, some of the gum tissue is removed for pocket reduction.

Regeneration Therapy

Is recommended because the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed by bacteria (plaque). These procedures can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue. During this procedure, the gum tissue is folded back and the disease-causing bacteria are removed. Membranes (filters), bone grafts (synthetic or human derived) or tissue stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. These grafts act as a platform on which bone can regrow.

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