- Crown Lengthening
- Implants
- Complete Reconstruction and Support of Dentures with Implants
- Scaling and Root Planing
- Treatment of Gum Disease
- Gum Grafting
- Pocket Reduction and Tissue Regeneration Surgery
When there’s a “gummy smile” a gum lift can expose more tooth. This procedure is also done for crowns or fillings when not enough tooth is exposed. Dr. Kay and Dr. Berger will work with your dentist to properly plan your procedure.
Dental implants are artificial teeth that permanently replace missing ones. These are accepted worldwide as the most practical and best cosmetic option for tooth replacement. They’re also the only tooth replacement option that doesn’t negatively impact or involve existing teeth.
A small titanium post is inserted into the bone and after new bone has formed around the implant (about two months), your dentist attaches a new tooth onto the top of it.
Implants can also be used to support a bridge. It’s often unnecessary to place an implant for each missing tooth so two implants can replace three missing teeth. This results in cost savings and quicker healing time. The success rates for these procedures in Dr. Kay’s and Dr. Berger’s office is 98% and they can present you with a variety of treatment options.
If you’re missing all your teeth, or have teeth that need to be extracted, implants can help support a removable denture or a denture that is screwed in place. There are many advantages to having implants placed in this situation.
A major consequence of losing teeth is that, over time, the jaw bone tends to resorb (shrink). While wearing a denture is a common solution for tooth loss, as the bone resorbs the dentures begin to loosen. This can lead to discomfort and difficulty chewing.
Placing implants soon after teeth are extracted helps to maintain the bone. They can also be used as clips for a removable denture or as anchors onto which a denture can be permanently screwed. Our doctors will explain the various options and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
This is a treatment in which the teeth are thoroughly cleaned below the gum line, removing plaque and bacteria. In most cases, local anesthetic (freezing) is used to allow the cleaning to be as thorough as possible, while keeping the patient comfortable. Scaling and root planing can reduce gum inflammation and allow the patient to more effectively brush and floss at home.
Gum disease involves the breakdown of the gums and bone that support your teeth. The disease starts as the result of a buildup of plaque and bacteria on the surface of the teeth, which then spreads below the gum line leading to inflammation. If untreated, the bacteria can eventually start to eat away at the bone. If this happens, the teeth can become loose and fall out.
By reviewing your dental history, performing a clinical examination and taking x-rays, our doctors and their team will assess your condition, explain the treatment plan in detail with you and take steps to stop and possibly reverse the disease. The treatment will often start with scaling and root planing and then possibly progress to more involved treatments when necessary.
Removing plaque from beneath inflamed gums takes special skills and training. Our team of hygienists have special training to help patients with gum disease.
This procedure addresses gums that have receded, thin gums or tooth sensitivity.
Grafts are done by adding gum tissue to the affected areas, which is either taken from the roof of the mouth or a natural, organic-based material. Our doctors will explain the details of each approach and advise you as to which is appropriate. The goal is to achieve the best results using the most minimally invasive procedures.
This surgery involves the removal of diseased gum tissue from around the tooth. A pocket is the gap that develops between the gums and the tooth as inflammation worsens and bone is lost. This procedure removes inflamed gum tissue, allows additional access to the tooth or repositions the gums for easier brushing and flossing at home.
If there is bone loss, bone graft materials and other products may be used to help stimulate the repair and replacement of bone lost around the teeth.