General Dentistry
Taking care of your smile is a big deal, and it’s not just about brushing and flossing at home. Even the most dedicated brushers and flossers can miss some tricky spots between their teeth and gums. That’s why going to the dentist for regular cleanings is so important. General dentistry covers a whole bunch of services and procedures aimed at keeping your natural teeth healthy, your mouth happy, and your overall well-being in tip-top shape. Your oral health is part and parcel of your general health, so taking care of your teeth regularly is key to maintaining a dazzling smile and a healthy body.
Preventative Dentistry
When it comes to keeping your pearly whites healthy and your mouth grinning with joy, that’s where preventive dentistry comes in. It’s like a fantastic combination of regular checkups and brushing and flossing habits that you start as a kid and keep up for the rest of your life. The whole point is to catch any tooth trouble early on, before it turns into a major headache.
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Cleanings And Exams
When you head to the dentist for your routine teeth cleaning, they’ll give your pearly whites a thorough checkup. They’ll be looking for signs of trouble like redness, swelling, cavities, tartar, or bleeding gums. By consistently attending your dental appointments, you’ll not only save a significant amount of money in the long term, but you’ll also prevent the need for more invasive and expensive dental procedures in the future.. Most folks should aim for a cleaning every six months, but if you’re prone to cavities or gum issues, you might need to go more often. Depending on how much plaque and tartar you’ve got hanging around, the dentist might use one of four different cleaning methods.
1. Prophylaxis Dental Cleaning
The word prophylaxis means “to prevent disease”. Therefore, prophylaxis dental cleanings are used to clean healthy teeth in order to prevent them from becoming affected by tooth decay or gum disease. Prophylaxis cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the front, back, and sides of teeth using a dental scaler or water stream. Most dental patients only require a prophylaxis cleaning, especially if they have kept up on daily dental hygiene and semi-annual dental appointments.
2. Scaling and Root Planing Cleaning
If you have been diagnosed with any form of periodontitis, mild or severe, a deep teeth cleaning may be necessary. Deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planing cleanings, are used to treat gingivitis and periodontitis by cleaning both the teeth and gum pockets.
Deep cleanings for gingivitis can typically be completed in a single dental visit, while those for periodontitis may require multiple appointments and local anesthetics, depending on the severity of the condition.
Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from the tooth’s surface and below the gum line in gum pockets that have formed as a result of gum disease. This helps to eliminate bacteria and reduce gum inflammation.
Root planing is the process of smoothing the tooth roots, which aids in the reattachment of gums to teeth and the elimination of gum pockets.
3. Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning:
Periodontal maintenance cleanings, a type of dental cleaning specifically designed to address gum disease, share some similarities with procedures such as scaling and root planing. Both involve the removal of excess plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and gum pockets. Additionally, root smoothing may be performed if necessary. However, the key distinction of periodontal maintenance cleanings is their increased frequency compared to other dental cleanings. This enhanced regularity is essential due to the progressive nature of gum disease, which worsens without effective treatment.
4. Gross Debridement Cleaning:
In certain instances, dental hygiene may deteriorate, leading to the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, resulting in an unsightly and unhealthy condition. In such cases, a specialized cleaning procedure known as “gross debridement cleaning” is recommended. This intensive cleaning is particularly suitable for individuals who have neglected their oral hygiene or have not visited a dental professional in an extended period. Once the tartar has been removed, a regular cleaning is performed to ensure that the teeth are thoroughly cleansed and restored to a state of optimal health.
While the gross debridement cleaning may not be the most pleasurable experience, it is an essential step in restoring the teeth to their proper condition and maintaining good oral hygiene. The long-term benefits of this procedure far outweigh any discomfort that may be experienced during the cleaning process.
Various types of dental cleanings are available, and your dentist’s choice will depend on their findings during your dental examination. Although all these cleanings share a common goal, they employ distinct approaches based on specific situations. Now that you are familiar with the four types of dental cleanings, it’s time to reflect on when your last teeth cleaning occurred.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They act as a barrier, preventing cavities and maintaining teeth health. Sealants can last for many years, up to a decade. However, regular dental check-ups are necessary to ensure they are not chipped or worn away. If needed, dentists or dental hygienists can repair them by adding more sealant material.
Dental fillings and sealants serve different purposes in preserving oral health. Fillings are restorative treatments that repair existing damage to a tooth’s structure. In contrast, sealants act as preventive measures. They are applied to the tooth’s surface to safeguard it from potential damage. While both fillings and sealants are utilized as dental therapies, their distinct functions contribute to maintaining healthy teeth.
Chao Pinhole Gum Surgery
Receding gum tissue can be unsightly as well as uncomfortable, exposing yellow tooth roots which make a person look older, and leading to tooth sensitivity and even tooth loss.
Treatment for receding gums used to be limited to painful oral surgery, where gum tissue was harvested from the palate and sutured into place. Only one tooth could be treated at a time, and recovery was slow and uncomfortable.
However, a minimally invasive surgery for receding gums has recently been developed by Los Angeles dentist Dr. John Chao. The Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique™, also known as Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™, involves no cutting, no suturing and no downtime.
HOW DOES PINHOLE GUM SURGERY WORK?
Using a local anesthetic, your dentist numbs the area of the gums to be treated. Then one or two tiny “pinholes” are made in the gum tissue. Using a special instrument designed by Dr. Chao, the gums are gently loosened and adjusted to cover the tooth roots. Tiny collagen strips are inserted through the pinholes to hold the gum tissue in place while it heals.
Depending on how many teeth need to be treated, the procedure takes from 20 minutes to an hour. The pinholes close up on their own with no need for downtime, and the result is more normal, healthy-looking gums.
BENEFITS OF PINHOLE GUM REJUVENATION
The benefits of pinhole gum surgery for gum recession include:
- A healthier, younger-looking smile
- Less tooth sensitivity due to tooth root exposure
- Protection from further damage, including tooth loss
- Fewer visits since multiple teeth can be treated in one sitting
- No cutting, stitches or downtime
- Low risk of complications (some patients experience mild swelling for a few days following treatment)
Dr. Singh is one of the few area dentists to be trained in this revolutionary technique. If you are experiencing gum recession due to gingivitis (gum disease), age or improper tooth brushing techniques, schedule your consultation today.
Arestin
Periodontal disease is a serious infection under your gum line.
ARESTIN®(minocycline hydrochloride) is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that causes the infection.
- It’s placed directly in the infected areas—or “pockets”—in your gums.
- It’s applied right after scaling and root planing, the dental procedure that disrupts stubborn plaque and bacteria below your gum line—where brushing and flossing can’t reach.
ARESTIN® starts working quickly, right at the source of infection, and keeps fighting bacteria long after you leave the dental office.
- Oringer RJ, Al-Shammari KF, Aldredge WA, et al. Effect of locally administered minocycline microspheres on markers of bone resorption. J Periodontol 2002;73:835-842.
- Goodson JM, Gunsollwy JC, Grossi SG, et al. Minocycline HCl microspheres reduce red-complex bacteria in periodontal disease therapy. J Periodontol 2007;78(8):1568-1579.
- Williams RC, Paquette DW, Offenbacher S, et al. Treatment of periodontitis by local administration of minocycline microspheres: a controlled trial. J Periodontol 2001;72:1535-1544.
Gum Laser Therapy
Dental lasers are state-of-the-art instruments designed for precise and pain-free dental procedures. Their light energy allows for a wide range of applications, encompassing cold sores, canker sores, tongue frenulum attachment, gum tissue reshaping, and more.
Laser periodontal therapy, specifically designed for periodontal disease, is a minimally invasive technique that utilizes a laser to eliminate diseased tissue and bacteria within the gums. This laser-based approach not only improves oral hygiene but also minimizes the risk of bone and tooth loss while enhancing gum attachment levels. Laser periodontal therapy is often combined with other dental services like scaling and root planing for optimal results.
BENEFITS OF LASER DENTISTRY:
- Comfort: With laser treatment, there is reduced or no bleeding, minimized swelling, no charring, and no drill noise or vibration. The stress and anxiety often associated with dental work is therefore eliminated when you experience quick, effective, and essentially pain-free laser procedures. Also, postoperative sensitivity is greatly limited by laser dentistry, and recovery time is much quicker than with traditional methods. In fact, due to the less-invasive nature of the laser technique, the mouth begins to heal immediately after work is completed!
- Reduced Risk of Infection: The laser’s high-energy light beam acts as a sterilizer on the area it is working, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial infections and relapses.
- Anesthesia Limited or Eliminated: Because laser dentistry is virtually painless, no longer will you suffer with fear of injections and numbness. Often, only a light anesthetic spray is required. Laser treatment eliminates the complications and cost associated with anesthesia.
Deep Teeth Cleaning
The initial stage of treatment for periodontal disease is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling or root planing. The objective of these non-surgical procedures is to remove etiologic agents such as dental plaque and tartar, or calculus, which cause gingival inflammation and disease. Scaling and root planing can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or a preventative measure. They are commonly performed on cases of gingivitis and moderate to severe periodontal disease.
WHAT DO THE PROCEDURES ENTAIL?
Our team will only perform scaling and root planing after a thorough examination of the mouth, which may include taking x-rays and visually examining the mouth. Depending on the condition of the gums, the amount of tartar present, the depth of the pockets, and the progression of periodontitis, our team may recommend scaling and root planing. In some cases, a local anesthesia may be used during the procedure.
Scaling:When scaling is performed, calculus and plaque that attaches to the tooth surfaces is removed. The process especially targets the area below the gum line, along the root. Scaling is performed with a special dental tool called an ultrasonic scaling tool. The scaling tool usually includes an irrigation process that can be used to deliver an antimicrobial agent below the gums to help reduce oral bacteria.
Root Planing:Root planing is performed in order to remove cementum and surface dentin that is embedded with unwanted microorganisms, toxins and tartar. The root of the tooth is literally smoothed, which promotes healing, and also helps prevent bacteria from easily colonizing in the future.
Antibiotics or irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. In some cases, our hygienists may place antibiotic fibers in the periodontal pockets after scaling and planing. This may be done to control infection and to encourage normal healing.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult for us to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar. Patients can seldom, if ever, keep these pockets clean and free of plaque. Consequently, surgery may be needed to restore periodontal health.
BENEFITS OF TREATMENT
If treatment is successful, scaling and planing may have many periodontal benefits. One is that it can help prevent disease. Research has proven that bacteria from periodontal infections can travel through the blood stream and affect other areas of the body, sometimes causing heart and respiratory diseases. Scaling and root planing remove bacteria that cause these conditions.
Another benefit of treatment is protecting teeth against tooth loss. When gum pockets exceed 3mm in depth, the risk for periodontal disease increases. As pockets deepen, more bacteria are able to colonize, eventually causing a chronic inflammatory response by the body to destroy gingival and bone tissue. This leads to tooth loss.
Finally, scaling and root planing may make the mouth more aesthetically pleasing, and should reduce bad breath caused from food particles and bacteria in the oral cavity. Superficial stains on the teeth will be removed during scaling and planing, adding an extra bonus to the procedures.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. There are numerous disease entities requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions.
WHY IS ORAL HYGIENE SO IMPORTANT?
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases, (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.
Periodontal diseases can be accelerated by a number of different factors. However, it is mainly caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not carefully removed by daily brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar).
OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF YOUR GUMS INCLUDE:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss.
PREVENTING GUM DISEASE
The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
Learn more about periodontal maintenance through our ADA Patient Education library.