Your teeth and gums harbor bacteria that are typically disrupted and removed with daily brushing and flossing. When not properly cleaned, however, bacteria cause soft tissue infection, plaque and calculus buildup, and decay of tooth structures. Treatments for periodontal disease vary from non-invasive to surgical, and each has their own benefits to oral health.
Dr. Okamoto provides non-surgical gum treatments to patients with mild to moderate signs of gum problems and help patients understand when more extensive care may be necessary.
Non-surgical Treatments
These procedures do not involve incisions into gums or the removal of tissue. Rather, they focus on leaving gums and teeth intact and promote recovery after initial signs of infection. Dr. Okamoto treats existing issues and staves off further infection with deep cleaning procedures and the use of antibiotics.
The most common non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease is a comprehensive cleaning that targets the area below the gum line. In this procedure, bacteria are removed and the teeth are made clean and smooth, so bacteria cannot easily adhere to tooth roots. After receiving this treatment, many patients will require continued maintenance to keep the gums infection-free. This deep cleaning process may be used before surgical treatments as a preparatory procedure.
For continued gum health, patients cane recommended periodontal trays with beneficial medication. These custom trays, much like the ones used for teeth whitening, deliver antibiotics and other medicines. They are made to fit snugly on the teeth and let the medicine seep into gums to fight off bacteria. Used in conjunction with other non-surgical treatments, this is one way patients can support in-office care with at-home hygiene.
When are Surgical Treatments Necessary?
In some severe cases, periodontal disease affected bone and caused significant tissue recession, requiring more comprehensive treatment. In these cases, care of your smile may be referred to a gum specialist. Some procedures restore the smile after gums and teeth have been damaged by gum disease include:.
Pocket Reduction – Your dentist will gently pull gum tissue away from the tooth, cleaning its surface and beneath. The goal is to reduce the size of the periodontal pocket that has allowed food to get trapped and bacteria to grow.
Gum and Bone Grafting – When gingival decay has reduced the support of gums or bone, a synthetic or natural tissue can be used to cover exposed roots. This can reduce sensitivity, improve an uneven smile, and restore confidence in your oral health.
Dental Prosthetics – If teeth are lost due to advanced periodontitis, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a full smile again. Dental implants are biocompatible and fuse to the bone, providing a strong foundation for a personalized dental restoration. Crowns, bridges, and dentures are all supported by this innovative procedure. If you’ve been affected by serious periodontal disease and are looking for restorations, Dr. Okamoto is a prosthodontic specialist and provides prosthetic teeth to restore oral health and function.
Contact Dr. Okamoto Today for Periodontal Treatment and Restoration
We are here to help you enjoy a healthier smile for a lifetime. If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, or are experience significant oral discomfort, call us today for information on gum disease treatment for dental rejuvenation with prosthetics.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Is a Quadrant Cleaning Right for You?
If you visit your dentist bi-annually, you know to expect an examination and cleaning, but that’s only the routine when your oral health is relatively stable. For patients with excess plaque and tartar or signs of tooth decay, a standard cleaning may not alleviate these problems.
A quadrant cleaning, or deep cleaning, takes care of issues beneath the gum line. Dr. Okamoto may recommend a quadrant cleaning if you exhibit more severe oral health concerns such as signs of periodontal disease. If you’re curious about whether quadrant cleanings can improve the health and appearance of your teeth, find out more about the procedure below.
When is a Quadrant Cleaning Necessary?
If it’s been some time since you’ve visited a dentist or you have a particular area of your smile that needs more care, a quadrant cleaning may be able to prevent further dental problems. The word quadrant refers to one of four areas in your smile that require more extensive cleaning. Typically, patients with tissue infection, tooth decay, bleeding gums, or gum recession can benefit from a deeper cleaning.
When it’s no longer possible to address all current dental problems through a traditional cleaning, your dentist may call for a quadrant cleaning. The procedure is your dentist's way of performing the least invasive treatment possible to protect the health of teeth and gums.
What’s the Treatment Like?
A quadrant cleaning focuses on one section of your dentition at a time, which ensures your dentist’s undivided attention in a single area. If necessary, a local anesthetic is used to make you as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Dr. Okamoto thoroughly removes all plaque and tartar from tooth enamel as well as any debris below the gum line. Measurements of soft tissue can also be taken to determine the severity of gum disease, if symptoms present themselves.
Additional treatment is performed if deep pockets around your teeth have developed, or if soft tissue infection has created abscesses and larger issues. Dr. Okamoto will determine the best method of cleaning during an examination beforehand.
What Happens After Treatment?
Your teeth and gums should feel no different than they would after a regular cleaning, but if you do experience any discomfort, an over-the-counter pain medication can help. Dr. Okamoto may suggest that you use an oral rinse regularly and will give you instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums at home.
Quadrant cleanings are usually completed in phases, with one to two areas addressed at a time. Patients are typically asked to come in for a routine check-up every three to six months, depending on their individual case.
A quadrant cleaning can save your teeth and prevent dental issues in the future. For more information about quadrant cleanings or any of our other services, contact Steven K. Okamoto, DDS at (310) 362-6395 to schedule an appointment.
A quadrant cleaning, or deep cleaning, takes care of issues beneath the gum line. Dr. Okamoto may recommend a quadrant cleaning if you exhibit more severe oral health concerns such as signs of periodontal disease. If you’re curious about whether quadrant cleanings can improve the health and appearance of your teeth, find out more about the procedure below.
When is a Quadrant Cleaning Necessary?
If it’s been some time since you’ve visited a dentist or you have a particular area of your smile that needs more care, a quadrant cleaning may be able to prevent further dental problems. The word quadrant refers to one of four areas in your smile that require more extensive cleaning. Typically, patients with tissue infection, tooth decay, bleeding gums, or gum recession can benefit from a deeper cleaning.
When it’s no longer possible to address all current dental problems through a traditional cleaning, your dentist may call for a quadrant cleaning. The procedure is your dentist's way of performing the least invasive treatment possible to protect the health of teeth and gums.
What’s the Treatment Like?
A quadrant cleaning focuses on one section of your dentition at a time, which ensures your dentist’s undivided attention in a single area. If necessary, a local anesthetic is used to make you as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Dr. Okamoto thoroughly removes all plaque and tartar from tooth enamel as well as any debris below the gum line. Measurements of soft tissue can also be taken to determine the severity of gum disease, if symptoms present themselves.
Additional treatment is performed if deep pockets around your teeth have developed, or if soft tissue infection has created abscesses and larger issues. Dr. Okamoto will determine the best method of cleaning during an examination beforehand.
What Happens After Treatment?
Your teeth and gums should feel no different than they would after a regular cleaning, but if you do experience any discomfort, an over-the-counter pain medication can help. Dr. Okamoto may suggest that you use an oral rinse regularly and will give you instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums at home.
Quadrant cleanings are usually completed in phases, with one to two areas addressed at a time. Patients are typically asked to come in for a routine check-up every three to six months, depending on their individual case.
A quadrant cleaning can save your teeth and prevent dental issues in the future. For more information about quadrant cleanings or any of our other services, contact Steven K. Okamoto, DDS at (310) 362-6395 to schedule an appointment.
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