Mild gum recession may be able to be treated by Dr.Shlafer with a deep cleaning.  When plaque and tartar  build up on the teeth and root surfaces below the gum line, it must be carefully removed. A procedure called, scaling and root planing is often times referred to as a deep cleaning. If your gum recession cannot be treated with a deep cleaning, surgery may be required to repair the damage to your gums.

What type of surgery is used to treat gum recessions?

Laser surgery: Laser Periodontal Therapy, utilizing PerioLase is an advanced technique for treating periodontal disease. Dr.Shlafer is one of the few dentists trained in this specialized technique. This type of laser surgery has helped many of our patients  save  teeth that were previously considered hopeless!

A laser light is used to gently remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue from the gum pocket. This allows the body to heal naturally. Gum pockets improve and your teeth become more stable. This procedure is a wonderful way for patients to improve their oral health and save their teeth.

Our patients experience dramatic improvement and many benefits. This is a significantly less traumatic yet highly effective alternative to traditional cut and sew gum surgery. There is no cutting of the gum tissue with a scalpel and no sutures, which means an easy recovery with minimal bleeding! It also preserves gum tissue, reduces root exposure, sensitivity and infection. There is less than a 24 hour recovery period, so patients don’t lose much time from work and it’s safe for patients with other health concerns too.

Soft tissue graft:  There are several types of gum tissue graft procedures. The most commonly used is a connective tissue graft. There is also a free gingival graft and pedicle graft. Based on your individual needs, a periodontist, along with Dr.Shlafer can determine which is the best procedure for you.

How can I prevent gum recession?  The best way to prevent gum recession is to take good care of your mouth. Brush and floss your teeth everyday, see Dr.Shlafer at the interval recommended for you. Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Talk to Dr.Shlafer about your misaligned teeth, your bite or teeth grinding that may be causing gum recession. Quit smoking. Eat a well balanced, healthy diet and monitor any changes in your mouth. By taking good care of your teeth, you can have a healthy smile forever!

Periodontal Disease and Other Medical Conditions:

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gum and tissues that surround and support the teeth. More than 75% of American adults have some form of gum disease, but are unaware of it. Risk factors for periodontal disease include:

1. Lack of proper oral hygiene

2. Sugar and acid in your diet

3. Poorly contoured restorations. (fillings or crowns that are food traps)

4. Tooth abnormalities.

5. Wisdom teeth still present.

6. Age

7. Family history

8. Lifestyle factors (smoking, diet, or stress)

The Mouth & Body Connection:

The American Academy of Periodontology launched an effort to educate the public about new findings which support what dental professionals had long suspected: infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and all infections are cause for concern. Periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research suggest that this may :

1. Contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death

2. Increase the risk of stroke.

3. Increase a woman’s risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.

4. Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases, or osteoporosis.

Treatment of periodontal disease could range from multiple scaling and root planning appointments (deep cleaning) to traditional periodontal surgery (which can be quite painful) or a new revolutionary treatment for gum disease—PerioLase, where the patient experiences little to no pain, and with little disruption in a patient’s daily activities.

If you are wondering if  you have periodontal disease or are a candidate for the Laser Periodontal Therapy http://www.lanap.com/periolase.php surgery, let us know, we can schedule a complimentary evaluation with Dr.Shlafer.

 More about advances in dental care: New Gum Disease Treatments For Better Health. When supporting tissue and bone around your teeth doesn’t fit snuggly, “pockets” form in the gums. Bacteria then invades these pockets, increasing bone destruction and tooth loss. A variety of treatments may be recommended, they range from a root planing and scaling to laser(LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY) treatment to reduce the pockets. In recent years, the focus of gum disease treatment has expanded beyond reducing pockets and removing bacteria to include regenerative procedures. This is exciting news for our patients suffering from gum disease!

Better Dental Implants.  Implants to replace lost teeth are now more common than in years past. A titanium implant or screw-like device is inserted to serve as a replacement root, fusing with the jawbone and protruding above the gum-line. An abutment covers the protruding part and a special implant crown is placed over that. The typical life of an implant is about 15 years or longer, and according to the American Academy of Oral and Maxiofacial Surgeons about 95% of implants place today are successful.

Lasers for Tooth Cavity Detection. Traditionally, an instrument called an “explorer” was used to find cavities. If  it stuck to a tooth, Dr.Shlafer would take a closer look to see if he found decay. Now Dr.Shlafer can use DIAGNOdent, a high tech option for detecting cavities. This laser can detect pockets of bacteria inside a tooth, producing a digital readout of the level of bacteria. Dr.Shlafer can then choose to watch the tooth, comparing the levels at your next visit or advise that the cavity be removed and the tooth filled.

Dr.Shlafer and the team all take pride in our ability to offer our patients the most advanced dentistry in a safe and warm environment. We’re here to help you achieve a healthy smile!

Many of the most common symptoms are red, swollen, tender gums; bleeding while brushing or flossing; persistent bad breath or loose teeth will alert a patient that something is wrong. Dr.Shlafer offers the opportunity for patients to schedule a complimentary evaluation, where he can determine if you are a candidate for LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY. Patient’s may be interested in how the laser works, Dr.Shlafer can show you the tiny laser fiber and give you a  short demonstration of  how it is used.

Why is LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY better for the treatment of gum disease?

• No cutting or sutures
• Significantly less discomfort with greatly reduced recovery time.
• It takes less time than traditional surgery.
• Better, longer lasting results. In fact, 98% of LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY treated patients remain stable after 5 years, while only 5% reportedly remain stable after surgery.
• Dr.Shlafer will likely recommend a soft diet for a day or two, but in most cases patients feel good enough to eat anything they want after the procedure.
• With less than a 24 hour recovery period, so you won’t lose time from work. Following traditional surgery, recovery can take 2-4 weeks, during which patients experience pain and swelling.
• LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV,or those taking medications such as Plavix and aspirin.

The good news is LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY is a patient friendly, minimally invasive procedure that is a fantastic alternative to traditional gum surgery. Call for your complimentary consultation today!

People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30’s or 40’s. Men are more likely to have gum disease than women. What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Bleeding while brushing and/or flossing
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Receding gums

Any of these symptoms may be the sign of a serious problem,if you have any of these symptoms it’s time to schedule an appointment. Dr.Shlafer is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. A periodontal evaluation would include taking necessary x-rays to determine the extent of any bone loss, reviewing your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to gum disease. He would examine your gums for signs of inflammation, and use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to check and measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth the depth of these pockets is usually  between 1 and 3 millimeters.

What are the different types of periodontal disease?

• Gingivitis–the mildest form of periodontal disease, gums are likely to be red, swollen and tender causing them to bleed easily during cleaning and flossing.
• Mild periodontitis—untreated gingivitis leads to mild periodontitis. This stage of gum disease shows evidence of the bone around the tooth starting to erode. Prompt dental attention is necessary to prevent further erosion and damage.
• Moderate to advanced periodontitis–This  most advanced stage of gum disease shows significant bone and tissue loss surrounding the teeth. This condition is treated with LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY.

Tomorrow–What is LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY? Why is this the  superior treatment for gum disease?