Dental Implants are predictably placed where teeth are missing, and then serve as artificial roots to support crowns, bridges or dentures. They can be easily placed in the office under local anesthetic, and there are normally few postoperative complications. Teeth supported by implants allow patients to have a functional, natural looking dentition which contributes to their health, well being and happiness.
Scaling and Root Planing involves the removal of bacteria and debris from the teeth, both above the gum line as well in the pockets which infection has created below the gum line. As the debris is removed, the roots of the teeth are gently smoothed. This procedure is often done with local anesthetic so that it can be done effectively without causing discomfort, as is combined with personalized home care instruction to help insure successful healing of the gums.
Pocket Elimination Surgery is sometimes necessary after the gum infection is brought under control to eliminate the pockets or bacterial hiding places that the infection has left behind. This will prevent bacteria from repopulating the space of pocket and thereby causing additional loss of bone around the teeth. This simple in-office surgical technique can effectively eliminate these residual defects and thereby facilitate effective patient home care.
Guided Tissue Regeneration is a technique to rebuild the bone which the infection has destroyed. As part of a localized surgical procedure, the bone defect is filled with a synthetic graft material, and often temporarily covered with a membrane to protect the area during the initial healing. In this manner, bone can be predictably regenerated in many types of defects.
Ridge Augmentation/Guided Bone Regeneration allows us to rebuilt the jaw bone where it has resorbed, so that we can create adequate bone in which to place implants. A bone grafting material is placed in the defect, which is then covered with a membrane for 6-9 months to protect the area while it is healing.
Soft Tissue Grafting is used to treat gum recession. In this procedure, tissue is transfer from the palate adjacent to teeth to the teeth requiring the additional tissue.
Soft Tissue Ridge Augmentation/Ovate Pontic Design is a procedure where one or more soft tissue grafts are placed to build up or "plump out" a ridge which has collapsed. After the ridge has been successfully rebuilt, small concavities are made in the surface of the gums to allow for ideal shape and contour of any replacement teeth. This creates a very natural appearance where it is very difficult to determine that the teeth are not real.
Crown Lengthening is a procedure which exposes more tooth structure, to provide improved esthetics (in the case of a "gummy" smile or irregular gum line) or better access for a restoration (such as when a tooth breaks and is to small to retain a crown).
