PREVENTIVE &
PERIODONTAL Care

We believe the key to a happy and healthy smile is maintaining routine dental check ups. If you floss like a boss, or it has been a while since you were in the chair, our amazing hygiene team will get you cleaned up and help get your smile back in tip top shape.

Upon arrival you will be greeted by our caring and competent front desk team who are committed to providing a smooth process regarding:

• Insurance verification
• Benefits and coverage questions
• Explaining all financial options
• Appointment Scheduling

As a new patient we will give you a tour of the office, introduce you to our team and assist you in the patient registration process.

You will then be greeted by one of our highly competent and compassionate dental hygienists who will guide you through the appointment process.

X-Rays: If this is your first visit in a year or more, the appropriate X-rays will be taken. X-rays are a diagnostic tool which aid the dentist in the diagnosis of gum disease and other necessary dental treatments.

Hygienists Evaluation: Our dental hygienists are committed to patient education and the importance of regular preventative dental care, as well as recommended treatment options related to the health of your teeth and gums. In addition, the hygienist will discuss any concerns or questions you may have related to dental hygiene . The hygienist will take a “pocket reading” to determine where your teeth connect with the gums. A deep pocket allows more bacteria to invade the gums which causes a higher probability of gum disease and often requires a more in-depth treatment than a general teeth cleaning.

General Teeth Cleaning: A general cleaning is designed for patients who are determined to have a low risk of gum disease or who are considered orally healthy patients. The general cleaning is typically a pain-free procedure, however, if the patient feels any discomfort, the hygienist will ensure the patient is comfortable by utilizing a numbing agent or anesthesia if necessary. Your hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, especially in areas that are hard to reach with regular brushing and flossing. After removing the plaque and tartar, they’ll polish your teeth using a gritty toothpaste and a high-powered toothbrush to remove stains and make your teeth shiny. In many cases, they will also recommend a fluoride treatment as a way of maintaining healthy gums and to prevent future decay.

Dentist Exam: We believe in a “team approach” in providing dental care to our patients, so following the dental cleaning and hygiene evaluation, the doctor will meet with the patient to discuss any dental concerns they may have. The doctor will then perform a comprehensive exam and evaluation, after which they will discuss and explain to the patient their findings and will provide their recommendation on the best treatment options.

Periodontal disease happens as a result of infections created by plaque encasing the tissues surrounding your teeth. The tissues in question include the gums, surrounding bone and ligament tissues, and a hard substance known as cementum that encase the roots of your teeth. The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis and targets just the gums. The usual signs of gingivitis include swelling, painful and tender gums, bleeding during flossing and brushing, halitosis or bad breath, the development of gaps between the teeth and gums which contain a dense, yellowish pus, and recession of the gum line that results in teeth appearing longer.

Luckily, periodontal disease is easy to treat as long as the correct oral care practice is followed. Daily brushing of the teeth and the tongue is an extremely important part of preventing plaque from appearing on teeth and between the teeth. Flossing dislodges any food pieces from between your teeth, and swishing with a mouthwash gets rid of any food particles that flossing and brushing may have missed. In addition, booking regular periodontal visits with your dentist is highly recommended. We recommend for patients who have periodontal disease to be seen for a periodontal maintenance visit every three months.

Some of the risk factors for the establishment of periodontal disease include various personal habits like smoking or bad dietary choices, age, and genetics. There is some good news, patients have an opportunity to completely reverse periodontal disease as long as it’s caught early. Ask your dentist about getting a comprehensive periodontal check on a yearly basis to check for warning signs early enough to start the healing process.

Stopping and reversing gingivitis involves establishing the best oral health care routine, as described above that includes brushing, flossing, and swishing. Helping your immune system by eating foods rich in whole grains, fresh vegetables, lean meats, seafood, and fresh fruit can help slow down the growth of periodontal disease.

In recent years significant progress has been made in relation to the treatment of advanced periodontal disease. There are many options depending on particular factors such as the amount of the damage to your gums.

Scaling and root planing is a dental procedure we provide in office to treat periodontal disease.

• Scaling: This process involves the removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the surface of the teeth, both above and below the gumline. Dentists or dental hygienists typically use special instruments to scrape away these deposits.
• Root Planing: It’s a procedure that aims to smooth out the root surfaces of the teeth. This helps to remove any remaining plaque and tartar, as well as smoothing rough areas on the roots where bacteria tend to gather. Smoothing the roots helps the gums reattach to the teeth more firmly.

Both of these procedures are done together as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for gum disease. They aim to eliminate bacterial infection and promote the healing of gum tissue to prevent further progression of periodontal disease. After these procedures, patients are usually advised on proper oral hygiene practices to maintain gum health.

Your hygienist may also recommend Arestin. Arestin is a medication used in dentistry to treat periodontal disease. It’s a locally administered antibiotic in the form of a powder that’s placed directly into periodontal pockets after a dental cleaning. This treatment aims to target the bacteria causing the infection and aid in the healing of the gums. It contains minocycline, an antibiotic that helps reduce the bacterial load in the affected area. Arestin is often used as part of a comprehensive approach to managing periodontal disease, alongside regular periodontal visits and good oral hygiene practices at home.

ARESTIN Post-Treatment Instructions for Patients

Once you have administered ARESTIN, it will continue to fight infection after the patient has left your office. To promote efficacy, it is important to give your patients clear post-treatment instructions. Explain the self-care and maintenance tips listed below to help protect the treated sites.

For 1 week after treatment:

• Do not touch the sites treated with ARESTIN
• Do not chew hard, crunchy, or sticky foods (such as carrots, taffy, or gum)

For 10 days after treatment

• Do not floss or use other tools to clean between the treated teeth
• Mild-to-moderate sensitivity is normal. Advise your patients to contact you if they have severe pain or signs of an allergic reaction (such as itching or swelling)

Keep up with treatment:

• Scheduling and keeping follow-up visits can help maintain control of periodontal disease