PERIODONTAL SERVICES IN FRAMINGHAM, MA

Periodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the hard and soft tissues that support teeth. Periodontal disease refers to gum disease. Periodontal procedures are usually performed to save or rebuild the jaw bone and/or gums in order to save teeth or allow for the placement of dental implants.

Scaling & Root Planing

Periodontal Maintenance Program

Home care is an extremely important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but even excellent home care cannot prevent bacteria and plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden, becoming calculus. We will recommend a periodontal maintenance program that is best for you based on how quickly you develop calculus and your past and current periodontal health. During your maintenance visits we will perform an oral examination as well as a dental cleaning.

During an oral examination, a visual inspection is performed to detect normal and abnormal structures of the entire mouth, head and neck. Along with radiographs, an examination detects cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession and any other abnormal findings within the mouth, head and neck

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.

Biopsy

The smooth, pink skin lining the mouth is called mucosa. Abnormalities in the color or texture of this skin can sometimes indicate pathology. Any concerns with the skin in the mouth, a sore that is not healing properly, or a lump on the inside of the cheeks, palate, gums, or lips may merit a biopsy so that the tissue sample can be tested for oral cancer. Please do not ignore these warning signs and mention any concerns you may have during your visit.

Dental Extraction

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is gently removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.

Dental Implants

Periodontal Surgery (Osseous Surgery)

Gum Grafting

If gum recession is present and tooth roots are exposed, a gum graft may be recommended. This procedure is used to control and prevent further gum recession and subsequent damage to the surrounding teeth and bone structure. Often, a soft tissue graft also improves the appearance of a patient’s smile and sensitivity to heat and cold.

During a soft-tissue graft, tissue is surgically placed to cover as much of the exposed root area as possible. Often, a tissue flap is created to allow the added tissue to be joined to the existing gums to facilitate tissue growth and healing. This procedure may be used to treat one or several adjacent teeth at the time of the surgery.

Why gum grafting may be recommended…

Appearance

There are times when there are cosmetic reasons to perform a gum graft. In these cases, a soft tissue graft can improve the appearance of a smile even if the patient does not have a medical reason to perform the procedure. If gum tissue is uneven or not providing sufficient coverage of the tooth root, a patient may elect to have a gum graft to improve the appearance of their smile and make the teeth appear more proportionate or even.

Comfort

The most common reason to perform a gum grafting procedure is to correct the effects of gum recession. Gum recession can be mild and is often a natural part of aging, but the receding gums can expose part of the tooth root and cause sensitivity to heat and cold. Patients may choose to have a gum graft to reduce the sensitivity they are experiencing as a result of gum recession.

Health

More often, however, gum recession is the result of periodontal disease and there are important oral health and medical reasons to perform a gum graft procedure. The recession not only affects the aesthetics of the smile and tooth sensitivity but overall oral health and wellness. Receding gums leave tooth roots exposed and vulnerable to decay, instability, and tooth loss, which can then lead to loss of the bone structure supporting the teeth. Gum grafts are an effective way to cover and protect tooth roots, helping extend the health of the tooth and supporting bone structures.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may be required to address defects in a patient’s jaw. Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps to generate and rebuild bone and increase bone density.

Bone grafting surgery is performed to correct problems that may be the result of:

Defects present from birth
Trauma
Removal of a tumor
Tooth loss and subsequent loss of bone in the related jaw area
Minor Bone Grafting

The most common bone grafting procedure is performed to enhance the upper or lower jaw bone in order to increase bone quantity and density in preparation for the placement of dental implants.

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone often is often affected over time. Patients without enough jaw bone mass are not candidates for dental implants. Bone grafting is often performed to reverse bone loss or enhance existing bone, allowing for the placement of dental implants after the bone graft has healed and created the necessary foundation for the implants.

Bone grafting for the purpose of rebuilding jaw bone to support dental implants can usually be done in our office. The surgeon may recommend that the grafting material be taken from the patient’s own bone or from another source. Synthetic material can also be used to generate bone growth. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses. Healing time prior to the placement of the implants is generally between 4 – 6 months, though it can sometimes take longer.

Bone Regeneration

This procedure is used to regenerate lost bone around existing teeth, or in an area where teeth have been extracted. This procedure is often performed to protect existing teeth and the tissues that keep them in place from bacterial plaque. Where bone is lost or teeth have been extracted, there may be pockets where bacteria could collect and cause damage to the existing bone and tooth structures. If there are areas of concern, the gingival tissue can be folded back to allow removal of the disease-causing bacteria and placement of membranes, bone grafts, or tissue-stimulating proteins that can encourage the body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

Crown Lengthening

The crown lengthening procedure is a procedure that is performed to increase the part of the tooth that shows when you smile.

Crown lengthening can effectively improve a tooth’s appearance by adjusting the shape and length of the visible part of the tooth. A dental surgeon will do this by reshaping gum tissue and sometimes bone, exposing more of a tooth’s surface. Crown lengthening is a relatively simple procedure that usually takes less than an hour.

Ridge Preservation

Frenectomy for Lip & Tongue Tie

A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure performed to release the connection of the “frenum,” a connective muscle between two tissues. There are two types of oral frenectomies that are frequently performed on both adults and children for a variety of reasons.

A Labial Frenectomy is performed on the tissue that connects the lip to the gums. This may be performed on children or adults to aid with orthodontic treatment or even help with the proper fitting for a denture or appliance.

A Lingual Frenectomy may also be referred to as the release of tongue-ties (ankyloglossia). This procedure is performed on the connective tissue under the tongue. The procedure is often performed on neonatal patients to assist with nursing or on toddlers or older patients who need the surgery to help correct speech issues caused by limited movement due the the frenum.

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PERIODONTAL SERVICES IN FRAMINGHAM, MA