Oral Health Treatment

Gum Disease Care

The dentist or hygienist routinely performs a periodontal exam that can be used to diagnose periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease. If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, and depending on the severity of the disease, the dentist or hygienist may recommend a cleaning that is more involved than a regular dental hygiene cleaning. This special periodontal cleaning is called scaling and root planning, also commonly called a deep cleaning. In this procedure, tartar, plaque and toxins are scraped (scaling) from above and below the gum line and rough spots on the root surfaces are made smooth (planing) while the area is numb. This procedure helps prevent gum disease from spreading or progressing further.

Medications, special prescription mouth rinses and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and a recommended change in your routine dental cleaning frequency.

If the periodontal disease does not improve following our scaling and root planing, or is too severe, the dentist may recommend periodontal surgery to reduce further disease progression. Under these circumstances, the dentist will recommend that you see a Periodontist who specializes in the treatment of the bone support and other tissue around the teeth.

Clenching & Grinding Treatment

Clenching or grinding your teeth can lead to severe tooth, jaw joint or facial muscle pain and tension headaches. Night guards, bite splints, and Therapeutic Botox are sometimes effective solutions to decreasing or minimizing such pain. These treatment modalities can be effective proactive steps to protect your existing healthy teeth. They can offset the wearing down of your teeth and protect investments made in other dental restorations as well. Studies suggest those who grind and clench their teeth may experience up to 80 times the normal tooth wear per day compared to those who do not.

Over 50 million Americans annually have headaches so severe that they seek medical help. Most of these people state that their head pain is a disruptive force in their daily lives. It is possible these patients are suffering from neuromuscular problems associated with their Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint and all the associated muscles, nerves and ligaments. The dentist can provide a thorough examination and recommend which type of TMD treatment is needed for your condition. Night guards can alleviate the majority of TMJ pain.

Extractions

A tooth extraction is a dental procedure during which your tooth is completely removed from its socket. Sometimes, people refer to this as “pulling" a tooth. Dentists prefer to save natural teeth whenever possible, but an extraction may become necessary when other restorative methods — such as dental fillings or dental crowns — aren’t enough. If your tooth has been badly damaged past the point of repair, then removal may be necessary. Your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if you have severe tooth decay, a fractured tooth, severe gum disease, crowded teeth or dental injuries.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are your last set of adult teeth to grow in. Another name for wisdom teeth is “third molars,” and they’re in the very back of your mouth.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth grow in properly and never cause any trouble. But wisdom teeth get stuck in your gums or jawbone and don’t grow in (impacted wisdom teeth). When this happens, it can result in infection, cavities, gum disease and other oral health issues. That’s why many dentists recommend removing them.

Not everyone has wisdom teeth. Some people develop them, and others don’t. Both are a variation of normal.

Therapeutic Botox

Allergan Aesthetics: The use of Botox in dentistry offers various benefits to patients beyond just cosmetic improvements. Botox can be used therapeutically to treat conditions such as TMJ disorders and bruxism, reducing pain and discomfort for patients.

Bruxism is a common condition in which you clench or grind your teeth, often while sleeping. It can lead to dental problems and jaw pain, as well as headaches and earaches. While there are several treatments available for bruxism, Botox injections have become increasingly popular due to their effectiveness and convenience. Botox works by relaxing the muscles responsible for clenching and grinding, thereby reducing the symptoms of bruxism.

The cosmetic benefits of using Botox in dentistry are also significant, with the ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and lips.