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Periodontal Treatment - Implants - Root Canal - Sealants
Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a leading cause of tooth loss in American adults. When left on the teeth, plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is brushed and flossed away with proper oral care, produces toxins that attack below the gum line in the sulcus (a shallow v-shaped crevice between the tooth and gums), causing the bond between teeth and gums to break down.
Dental implants serve as the base for many tooth-replacement options, including bridges, dentures and individual artificial teeth. Implants are surgically implanted in the jaw to provide a comfortable, secure fit and a natural look.
In the first one or two appointments, the post or anchor is implanted in the jaw. The replacement tooth, bridge or denture is fitted and installed when the bone and gums have healed. Surgery may be performed in an office or hospital with local or general anesthesia.
Root canals can prevent tooth decay and loss when the pulp (soft core of the tooth that provides nutrients) is damaged due to bacterial infection in a deep cavity, crack or other problem. Despite its reputation as a painful ordeal, a root canal is actually not very uncomfortable. During the procedure, the damaged pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off, and a crown is bonded to the tooth to maintain strength.
Good oral hygiene- brushing and flossing daily- and a healthy diet are the best way to prevent plaque build-up in the mouth. But even the most thorough brushing does not always reach the deepest indentations in the molars. Dental sealants fill in these depressions, preventing bacterial formation that causes tooth decay and other damage. In a procedure that takes only a few minutes per tooth, the tooth is cleaned, an acid solution is applied to roughen the surface texture, the plastic sealant is bonded to the tooth and a light may be shone on it to speed the hardening process. Sealants can be used to help both adults and children, and may be re-applied every few years.
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