Periodontal disease affects three out of four adults. It is caused by bacterial plaque build-up that infects the periodontal (gum) tissues. This infection destroys the tissue and bone that support the teeth. The #1 cause of adult tooth loss in America is periodontal disease.
The American Dental Association has developed a simple self-test you can take:
Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
Are your gums red, swollen, or tender?
Have your gums pulled away from your teeth? (receding gums, gum loss)
Is there pus between your teeth and gums when your gums are pressed?
Are your permanent teeth loose or separating?
Is there a change in the way your teeth fit when biting?
Is there any change in the fit of your partial dentures?
Do you have chronic bad breath?
If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you could have periodontal disease.
Better yet, to be certain, make an appointment for a thorough check-up and expert diagnosis. Early treatment can save you a lot of pain, both in your mouth and in your bank account.
Periodontal (gum) disease is actually the #1 cause of adult tooth loss. Worse still, periodontal disease can progress without noticeable symptoms until it’s very advanced.
Soft Tissue Management is an individualized plan to eliminate infection of the gums and root surfaces. An appropriate plan will be chosen by your dentist and hygienist. We will perform treatments to help eliminate infection, make recommendations to help you clean your teeth more effectively daily, and guide you through our efforts to achieve and maintain oral health.
For patients with periodontal conditions, Citrus Heights Dental offers a soft-tissue management program to stop tissue and bone loss and help you regain a healthy mouth.
For further information on the steps in our soft tissue management program and the products we use and recommend, you may visit the Prodentec website. A Soft Tissue Management treatment plan will enable you to achieve improved health. You will enjoy fresher breath and healthier teeth and gums. This program combines professional dental care and the Rota-dent plaque removal instrument. This program is also specifically designed to control plaque and permit healing of gum tissue.
The Soft Tissue Management Program includes the Rota-dent Professional Home-Care Instrument. You will be instructed in the proper use and benefits of this exceptional instrument each time you visit your dental professional’s office. Daily home care is the key to the success of this program.
Please ask us or an oral hygiene professional about this wonderful program on your next visit.
As part of our ongoing commitment to provide our patients with the best possible care, we’re pleased to offer the benefits of dental lasers. We hope the following information will “enlighten” you regarding this exciting new technology. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about our laser treatment:
The aspect of laser many patients appreciate most is its comfort. While no treatment is truly painless, the laser greatly reduces the need for anesthetics such as Novocain. This enhances our ability to treat patients who are pregnant or medically compromised. The children we treat are often less fearful. And with the laser, the need for postoperative pain medication is also reduced or eliminated.
Yes, very safe. Laser like the one in our office have safely performed millions of procedures. This safely is also supported by hundreds of university studies. Our laser is so precise, it only removes a few cell layers at a time. It delivers its bean in tiny pulses. In any given second, it is actually off longer than it is on. Most procedures use less than three watts of power, less than many portable phones.
Laser energy is not radioactive but simply magnified light. However, just as you wear sunglasses while tanning on the beach, you’ll wear special glasses during treatment to protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to the bright light.
The dental laser is a suitcase-sized unit which contains an energy source and a sophisticated electronic control system. The laser light is delivered by a pen-like handpiece connected to the energy source by a lightweight optical fiber.
As the pulses of laser energy leave the tip of the optical fiber, they emit a slight ticking sound. It is not loud and most of our patients say it is not at all unpleasant.
Though the laser is a wonderful instrument, it is not appropriate for all procedures. It is frequently used in conjunction with conventional instruments. Please ask us about the role the laser might play in your treatment.
