Letting your oral health slip is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, developing gingivitis or gum disease happens to the best of us. We’re here to help get you back on track.
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Do I really need periodontal care?
If you suspect that you may need periodontal care, there’s no time like the present to protect your smile and preserve your natural tooth structure. Periodontitis can have damaging effects. In fact, in some severe cases, patients can even end up losing teeth. If you notice any symptoms such as inflamed or bleeding gums, it’s important to seek intervention as soon as possible.
Did you know…
When caught early, gingivitis can be treatable and reversible.
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Gentle Treatment With Laser Therapy
With laser technology, we are able to offer gum disease treatment that is more comfortable than ever before. Laser therapy is a non-surgical treatment that effectively removes harmful bacteria from under the gums and promotes healthy tissue regeneration.
Sinus Lift
Our skilled team performs sinus lift procedures to add bone to the upper jaw in the area of the molars and premolars, enhancing the foundation for dental implants and restoring oral health.
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Full-Scope Care
Dr. Turner specializes in a full scope of periodontal procedures, from bone grafting to sinus lifts and more, providing patients with advanced solutions to restore and enhance their oral health.
LANAP
Experience the benefits of LANAP (Laser Assisted New-Attachment Procedure) at our office, as we are among the select few in Mira Mesa offering this innovative and minimally invasive gum disease treatment.
Whole-Health Focus
At our practice, we have a whole-health focus, recognizing the interconnectedness of oral health and overall well-being, offering comprehensive treatments that promote both dental and systemic health.
Scaling & Root Planing
Our skilled team performs scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that effectively removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping to combat gum disease and promote optimal oral health.
LAPIP
LAPIP (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) is a laser-based treatment designed to address peri-implantitis, effectively removing infection and promoting healing around dental implants.
Soft Tissue Guided Regeneration
Our practice offers guided tissue regeneration, a technique that promotes the regeneration of gum and bone tissues, helping to restore and strengthen the supporting structures of the teeth.
Osseous Surgery
Experience the benefits of osseous surgery, a procedure that reshapes and smoothes the bone supporting the teeth, preventing further progression of gum disease and enhancing oral health.
Pinhole Surgical Technique
We specialize in the Pinhole Surgical Technique, a minimally invasive procedure that treats gum recession by repositioning existing gum tissue, providing a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Gingivectomy
Our skilled team performs gingivectomy, a procedure that removes excess gum tissue to treat conditions such as gum disease, improve the appearance of the smile, and enhance oral health.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is a procedure offered at our practice to restore receding gums, using grafts of gum tissue to cover exposed tooth roots and enhance both oral health and smile aesthetics.
Bone Grafting Procedures
We specialize in bone grafting procedures, which involve the placement of bone graft materials to stimulate bone growth, providing a solid foundation for dental implants or preserving the jaw structure.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a procedure performed to expose more of the tooth structure, either for cosmetic reasons or to facilitate other dental treatments, improving both oral health and aesthetics.
Ridge Augmentation
Our practice offers ridge augmentation procedures to restore and enhance the shape and volume of the jawbone, ensuring optimal support for dental implants or improving overall oral health.
Ridge Preservation
Ridge preservation is a technique employed to minimize bone loss after tooth extraction, preserving the ridge shape and volume for future dental procedures, such as dental implants.
Join Our Perio Membership Plan!
We believe everyone deserves affordable dental care, even patients who require a little extra TLC. By signing up for our periodontal care membership plan, you’ll be giving your smile the high-quality care it deserves and saving money along the way.
The Benefits of Periodontal Care
Restore Your Health
With early intervention, periodontal treatment can reverse the effects of gingivitis and restore your smile to its natural health.
Prevent Further Damage
Regular periodontal maintenance helps keep your smile healthy and free from the harmful buildup of plaque and bacteria.
Save Money
Periodontal care helps you avoid more costly, invasive procedures such as gum grafts, tooth extractions, and dental implants.
The Deep Cleaning Process
Local Anesthetic
First, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during your treatment. Deep cleanings may cause more sensitivity for patients than regular dental cleanings, but you’ll be comfortable throughout the procedure thanks to our gentle numbing techniques.
Scaling & Root Planing
Next, your doctor will use special tools to “scale” tartar and plaque from between your teeth and below your gum line. The goal is to remove the harmful bacteria that causes gum disease. Then, once your teeth and gums have been cleaned, your dentist will “plane,” or smooth, the roots of your teeth. This process eliminates the pockets and pits that form below the roots of your teeth which harbor harmful bacteria.
Antibiotic Treatment
A healing antibiotic treatment will complete your deep cleaning. Depending on your individual needs, you may receive topical antibiotics that are applied to gums during treatment, an antibiotic rinse that you can use at home, or a prescription antibiotic that will be taken orally.
LANAP for Periodontal Care
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of gum disease?
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Gum disease is commonly split into three different stages. The first stage is called gingivitis. In this stage, there is usually no permanent damage to your teeth or gums yet. This means your dentist will likely be able to reverse and eliminate gum disease with proper care. Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing, inflamed and discolored gums, and chronic bad breath.
If left to worsen, gingivitis will advance to the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis. This stage of gum disease is unfortunately not reversible, but can be controlled with proper intervention. Symptoms of periodontitis usually include gum recession, increased sensitivity or sore teeth and gums, excessive gum bleeding, and very swollen or puffy gums.
The final stage is advanced periodontitis. In this stage, permanent damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw bone occurs. Common symptoms include pus forming between the teeth and gums, shifting of the teeth, changes in your bite, or the loosening of one or more teeth. Surgical intervention is usually necessary to treat advanced periodontitis. In very severe cases, your teeth may even need to be extracted and replaced with a dental prosthetic like dentures or dental implants.
How long does the LANAP surgery take?
The length of the procedure can vary depending on the severity of the gum disease and the number of teeth being treated. LANAP surgery is typically performed in several appointments, with each appointment lasting about two hours.
Is LANAP surgery covered by insurance?
Many dental Insurance plans do not cover LANAP surgery but our office can work in getting the most out of the insurance for your treatment as possible.
How can I prepare for LANAP surgery?
Your dentist or periodontist will provide you with specific instructions on how to prepare for your LANAP surgery. Generally, you should:Avoid smoking and using tobacco products for at least two weeks before the procedure.Let your dentist or periodontist know if you are taking any medications or supplements, as some may need to be adjusted before the procedure.Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you may be groggy from the anesthesia.If you have any other questions about LANAP surgery or any other dental procedures, please don't hesitate to contact our office. We are here to help!
Is gum disease contagious?
No, gum disease is not contagious. This is because it is caused by bacteria that are already present in all of our mouths. In a healthy mouth, these bacteria are not found in a high enough quantity to cause gum disease. These bacteria become an issue when they are left to reproduce and grow uncontrollably. Gum disease occurs when poor oral hygiene allows bacteria to reproduce, or if a patient is genetically predisposed to gum disease.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by large quantities of bacteria flourishing in the mouth. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene. Failing to brush and floss properly allows the bacteria that are present in your mouth to reproduce and form plaque and tartar between your teeth and your gums. Over time, these bacteria begin to attack and infect your gum tissue. Over time, this infection can result in permanent, irreversible damage to your oral health unless you seek out proper treatment.
Some patients are also genetically predisposed to developing gum disease. This is why it is important to discuss with your doctor if there is a history of gum disease in your family. You and your doctor will work together to employ the best at-home care and in-office treatments to protect against it.
Why do I need antibiotics?
Periodontal disease forms when there is inflammation in the gums. This inflammation can lead to infection caused by an abundance of harmful oral bacteria. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics to help kill and control this harmful bacteria, allowing your gums to heal. If you are prescribed antibiotics to help control your periodontal disease, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to a tee to ensure the harmful bacteria is eradicated. If you fail to complete the full prescription of antibiotics, the bacteria could become resistant to subsequent treatments with the medication.
What is LANAP surgery?
LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) surgery is a minimally invasive treatment for periodontitis (gum disease) that uses laser technology to remove bacteria and infected tissue from the gum pockets around teeth.
How does LANAP surgery work?
During the procedure, a specialized laser is used to target and remove the bacteria and diseased tissue in the gum pockets around the teeth. The laser also stimulates the growth of new tissue and bone, which helps to regenerate the supporting structures around the teeth.
Who needs LANAP surgery?
LANAP surgery is typically recommended for patients with moderate to severe periodontitis (gum disease) that has not responded to other treatments such as scaling and root planing or traditional gum surgery. Your dentist or periodontist can evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment options for you.
Is LANAP surgery painful?
LANAP surgery is minimally invasive and generally less painful than traditional gum surgery. Patients may experience some mild discomfort and swelling after the procedure, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
What are the benefits of LANAP surgery?
LANAP surgery offers several benefits over traditional gum surgery, including:
Minimally invasive: LANAP surgery is less invasive than traditional gum surgery, which means less discomfort and a faster recovery time.
Reduced bleeding: The laser used in LANAP surgery seals blood vessels as it works, which helps to minimize bleeding during and after the procedure.
Faster healing: LANAP surgery stimulates the growth of new tissue and bone, which helps to speed up the healing process.
Preservation of healthy tissue: Unlike traditional gum surgery, LANAP surgery targets only the diseased tissue, leaving healthy tissue intact.
