OUR SPECIALTIES

Periodontics

What is a Periodontist?

Tarzana, CA Periodontist

Periodontics is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on the health of the supporting structures of your teeth. A periodontist has completed an additional 3 years of specialty training beyond the 4 years required for general dentistry.

During this time, they are trained in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease, making them some of the best dentist for maintaining your oral health. Periodontists are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures such as crown lengthening and gum grafting, which can enhance both the function and aesthetics of your smile.

If you're experiencing issues related to gum health or seeking cosmetic improvements, consulting a periodontist is crucial. Their expertise in both preventative care and advanced treatments ensures that your gums and supporting structures are healthy, providing a strong foundation for your teeth. Choosing one of the best dentist in periodontics can lead to improved oral health outcomes and a more confident smile.

Dental Implants

During the last 20 years, dental implants have become a desirable alternative to other methods of replacing missing teeth. Excellent success rates and a range of available options give dentists a variety of new ways to treat and replace lost teeth.

Your dentist can evaluate your case and tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants. Structurally, a dental implant is a titanium-based cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a period of time, other parts are placed on the implant to enable your dentist to eventually place a crown (cap) on the implant. Implants can also be used to support full or partial dentures, dramatically improving denture retention and stability.

Most patients with adequate bone mass can have implants, although it varies among individuals. Typically an x-ray and CT-scan are performed to determine if you have enough bone to place the implant, as well as to verify the size and kind of implant that should be placed.

Benefits of Dental Implants

When compared to fixed bridges and removable dentures supported by other teeth or gum tissue, implants offer numerous advantages:

Better esthetics: Since implants are placed in the gum similar to the way a natural tooth is supported, they offer a more realistic and natural look compared to other alternatives.

Reduction of bone resorption: When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone structure gradually recedes. Placing an implant in that empty space significantly reduces the speed of bone resorption and provides stability for this valuable tissue.

Retention: Patients who have experienced removable full or partial dentures know that keeping their dentures in place is always a challenge. Dental implants offer a great improvement to denture retention for all patients. In some cases the denture can be secured to a group of implants with special screws that stabilize the denture completely.

Preserving natural tooth structure: Often the preferred method of replacing a single missing tooth is a bridge. Bridges require extra preparation for the surrounding teeth to ultimately connect 3 or more teeth. This negatively impacts your health by making the task of retaining your teeth more difficult and by often requiring the destruction of existing tooth structure to create room for the new bridge. An implant is mostly an independent unit and does not negatively affect the adjacent teeth.

Deep Cleaning, Root Scaling…

When evaluating your oral health, our periodontists seek to treat any areas in need of attention in the most efficient manner. We seek to avoid surgical measures to control cost and prevent invasive procedures when possible.

Non-surgical periodontal treatments include a professional dental cleaning along with scaling and root planing.A professional dental cleaning allows your dentist to remove plaque and tartar that has built up above and below the gum line.

A professional dental cleaning is generally performed during your general checkup. Scaling and root planing are additional non-surgical procedures for removing hardened plaque and tartar from the mouth. This second procedure targets deeper pockets affected by bacterial buildup.

Performed under local anesthesia, your perdiodontist will scrap clean affected areas above and below the gum line (scaling) and will smooth the root of any hardened bacteria (planing). In some cases, additional microbial therapy is required to effectively treat any contaminated areas. Both of these procedures target the bacteria that if left untreated, can produce acids that eat away at your teeth leading to tooth decay and gum disease.

If you live in or around Tarzana and you have questions about gum treatments or think you may be in need of additional cleaning, please call our offices or fill out an online appointment request form to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled professionals today. Our periodontists are experts in evaluating your oral health and will advise you along the appropriate treatment process.

Gum disease, is the process that begins when bacterial growth in your mouth begins to lead to the corrosion of your teeth and gums. If left untreated, long-term effects include extensive gum deterioration, along with early tooth loss.

There are two stages in gum disease of which include: gingivitis (gum inflammation) followed by periodontitis (gum disease). Within the stages of gingivitis, the bacteria in hardened plaque pockets build up causing the gums to become irritated and swell. When brushing your gums may appear red or may bleed easily. Despite gum irritation, the roots of your teeth are still firmly in their place.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. During this process, the gums begin to pull away from the tooth creating pockets where bacteria can collect and spread. Toxins produced by the bacteria, along with enzymes present in your body’s natural defense of infections, begin to eat at the bone and tissue that anchor your tooth. As the process continues, the corrosion spreads and more gum tissue and bone are damaged. When this happens, teeth are no longer anchored in place, thus resulting in permanent tooth loss.

While tartar buildup is the leading cause of gum disease, there are additional contributing factors. Some of these include: illnesses that affect the immune system (HIV, diabetes), poor lifestyle habits such as smoking or a diet high in sugar, poor oral hygiene habits or a family history of periodontal disease.

Some symptoms of gum disease include:

Gums that are susceptible to bleeding
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
A receding gum line
Loose or shifting teeth

Some progression of gum disease may be present in your gums despite not having any symptoms. This is a reason why regular dental check ups are important in the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Only a dentist or periodontist will be able to recognize symptoms of gum disease.

If you live in or around Tarzana and you suspect you may be in need of gum disease treatment or if you have any questions, contact us or fill out an appointment request form today to schedule a consultation with one of our periodontists. Our specialists are experts in evaluating your oral health and will advise you along the appropriate treatment process.

There are various periodontal procedures that focus on the prevention and restoration of the gum tissue. Along with improving the functionality, and by extension, the long-term health of your teeth, you will improve the esthetic quality of your smile. A healthy smile is a self-assured smile.

Gum recession can lead to a variety of oral health issues including an unsightly ragged gum line, exposed tooth roots, and the eventual loss of teeth with extensive recession or decay. While a ragged gum line may affect your confidence, sensitivity of exposed roots and tooth loss prevent your dental structures from functioning properly.

While aggressive brushing and gum disease may have been the contributing factors to your gum recession, our periodontists are focused on identifying the causes while providing the most effective treatment possible.

Some surgical solutions include:

A soft tissue graft procedure will repair the damage and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss. Gum grafts are used to cover exposed roots or to help to support the growth of new gum tissue. Tissue is taken from either your palate or from a tissue bank from an outside source. This procedure helps reduce sensitivity and can help protect against decay.
During pocket reduction surgery the gums are lifted back and hardened tartar is removed. Additional smoothing of damaged surfaces may be performed if necessary. After this procedure, your periodontist will replace the gum tissue tightly around the tooth structure as to eliminate any pockets for harmful bacteria to collect and grow.
Bone grafting is a procedure that involves the replacing of lost or damaged bone structure to due an accident or extensive periodontal decay. Pieces of your own bone, artificial bone, or donated bone are used during this process. These grafts help to encourage bone re-growth restoring structure, stability and functionality to your teeth.
Guided tissue regeneration is another option available when existing bone structure has been destroyed. During this procedure, your periodontist will fold back the gum tissue and remove any harmful bacteria while inserting membranes or proteins that stimulate the surrounding tissues, encouraging your body’s natural regenerative process.

If you live in or around Tarzana, please call our offices or fill out an online appointment request form today to find out the various periodontal surgical options available to you. Our skilled periodontists will gladly answer any questions and address any concerns that you may have.

Bone grafting is the replacement of jaw bone loss due to injury or gum disease. Often times, if a tooth is missing, the associated bone will be reabsorbed into the body. In these cases, the corrupted quality and lack of available bone structure makes the addition of dental implants difficult.

Current technology enables us to restore lost bone when necessary. It performs the dual service of allowing us to restore functionality while, improving the overall appearance of your teeth so you can smile with confidence.

Bone cells are taken from a tissue bank or from your own body from areas such as the jaw, hip or below your knee. In some cases a special layer is used to assist the development of the bone cells. This process is called guided bone regeneration.

If you live in or around Tarzana please call our offices or fill out an online appointment request form today to find out the various bone grafting options available to you. Our skilled periodontists will gladly answer any questions and address any concerns that you may have.

Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that can be performed for restorative or cosmetic purposes. If you’ve asked your dentist on how to improve a “gummy” smile, crown lengthening may be the solution. Your teeth may be the proper length but are covered by too much gum tissue. During crown lengthening, excess gum tissue is removed and the bone is reshaped to expose more of the tooth structure resulting in a broader smile.

In restorative cases, crown lengthening is performed when a tooth needs to be restored and there is not enough naturally exposed tooth structure to support the procedure. In these cases, the tooth may be broken below the gum line or have extensive decay lacking the support a crown or a bridge needs. Only after more of the tooth is exposed, will your periodontist be able to perform a reinforced restoration. In either case, crown lengthening improves both the look and functionality of your teeth, giving you a confident smile that lasts.

If you live in or around Tarzana and have any questions, contact us or fill out an appointment request form today to schedule a consultation with one of our periodontists. Our specialists are experts in evaluating your oral health and will advise you on the appropriate treatment process. As some of the best dentists in the field, we are dedicated to providing personalised care tailored to your specific needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out; a healthier smile is just an appointment away!

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