- Extractions
- Night Guards
- TMJ Treatment
- Dental Implants
- Crown Lengthening
- Gum Grafting
- Periodontal Disease Treatment
- Scaling and Root Planing
- Soft Tissue Graft
- Bone Grafting
- Canine Exposure
- Frenectomy
- Ridge Augmentation
- Biopsy
- Osseous Surgery
- Periodontal Splinting
- Arestin
- Periodontal Maintenance
- Sinus Augmentation
- Mini Implants
- XGuide
- Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
Extractions
An extraction is performed to remove a tooth, whether because of disease, crowding, or damage. When extractions are required, the area around the tooth will be numbed and your dentist will remove the tooth. A small amount of bleeding is normal, as your mouth will replace the removed tooth root by forming a blood clot in the area.
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Night Guards
It can be beneficial to use a guard, or covering, to protect your teeth from grinding while sleeping. Similar to how a mouthguard protects teeth during sports, this layer prevents damage to the teeth that can occur naturally.
There are a wide variety of different types of mouthguards, ranging from pre-formed pieces to ones that are custom fitted to your teeth and jaws. Some of these can even be formed at home through a boil-and-bite process.
TMJ Treatment
At Periodontal Specialists, P.C., we are proud to offer temporomandibular joint dysfunction, otherwise known as TMJ, treatments to provide relief for our patients. TMJ is caused by an inflammation in the temporomandibular joint, which acts as a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
TMJ causes pain and discomfort along the jawbone and can make it painful to even move your jaw. While jaw pain and discomfort don’t always equate to TMJ, if you are also experiencing headaches, trouble chewing, or pain in the face, jaw, and ear, you’re more than likely experiencing TMJ.
Dental Implants
When you have missing teeth, an alternative solution to dentures is dental implants. While dentures are removable, dental implants provide permanent new teeth to restore your mouth’s function and appearance. Dental implants tend to offer a successful and lasting solution to the loss of some or all of your teeth.
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Crown Lengthening
For patients who believe that their smile is too “gummy” or that their teeth are too short, we are proud to offer crown lengthening services to fix those concerns. Crown lengthening procedures are done to expose more of the tooth and remove extra gum tissue. By doing this, we can reshape your gums and help give your teeth the look and shape you desire. In addition to the life-changing results, crown lengthening is a minimally-invasive procedure that will allow for a more balanced, even smile.
The recovery time for the crown lengthening procedure is approximately three months. As your gums heal, you’ll be able to resume normal habits and functions. In recovery, you will be asked to avoid demanding activities during the first two to three days after your operation. Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure and increased sensitivity after the treatment is complete, but with a personalized treatment plan we can help manage any discomfort and pain. Moving forward, practicing good oral hygiene is paramount.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting treatment for receding gums works best for patients who are suffering from more extensive gum loss where gum disease cannot be resolved by a professional cleaning alone. This procedure can help repair the damaged area of the gums and work to prevent further gum tissue loss. In addition to stopping recession, gum graft treatment will better protect the roots of the teeth from decay by giving the patient more gum line, and reduce tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
During a gum graft procedure, the patient doesn’t feel a thing as we use a local anesthetic to keep them pain-free. After the operation, the patient may experience some soreness and slight discomfort, which can be effectively treated with a combination of rest, cold compresses, and, if needed, prescription medication. With proper care, the gum graft will protect the previously exposed root and serve as a healthier gum line, restoring your smile and confidence.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease is a serious issue that affects many people’s lives. Luckily our experienced periodontists are capable of treating periodontal disease in our patients, a field in which they have rigorous training and education.
The cleaning of calculus, or tartar, is a major component of treating periodontal disease. However, changes in the patient’s behavior are just as important. Making sure your dental hygiene habits are up to par is critical in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so it is critical to properly care for them. If you have periodontal disease, don’t feel hopeless. It is a treatable disease, but one that requires the patient to be aware and active with their dental care.
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Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are a more in-depth, thorough cleaning treatment recommended for patients who may be suffering from periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, this type of gum infection is caused by bacteria and plaque forming on your teeth over time and causing inflammation. While serious, periodontal disease is treatable. However, it can lead to bone or tooth loss if not treated quickly.
After the scaling is complete, we will move onto root planing. The root planing technique is used to smooth out the tooth’s root and ultimately remove the pocket caused by bacteria. When the root has been effectively smoothed, the gums can be reattached and have a greater chance of fully healing.
Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure and increased sensitivity after the treatment is complete, but with a personalized treatment plan, we can help manage any discomfort and pain. Moving forward, practicing good oral hygiene is paramount for making sure that periodontal disease doesn’t become worse after seeking initial treatment at our office.
Soft Tissue Graft
Here at Periodontal Specialists, P.C., we specialize in soft tissue grafting. We are proud to assist patients in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding communities.
At some point in their life, many people will be told by their dentist that they will need a gum graft. A gum graft will protect your teeth from any damaging effects of gum recession. This will help improve the appearance of your smile.
Gum recession happens when the tissue that surrounds the tooth pulls away from the tooth. This exposes more of the tooth or even the tooth’s root. This can cause damage to your supporting bone. Many people do not even realize their gums have receded. This is because it can happen so slowly. This is also one of the reasons it is so important to visit your dentist on a regular basis.
If your gums continue to recede and is not treated, this can cause tooth loss. The best way to repair the damage and to prevent any further dental issues is to have soft tissue grafting.
Our entire staff is dedicated to assisting you have a healthy and beautiful smile. We understand the potential issues gum recession can cause and will do everything that we can to help you get your oral health back on track. We are always available to answer any questions that you have before, during, or after your appointment.
If you have any questions about soft tissue grafting, contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
Bone Grafting
Regardless of the cause, when you lose a tooth, you may experience bone loss in your jawbone. The teeth stimulate the jawbone, so if you have lost one or more teeth, your jawbone will start to deteriorate. As time goes by, you may experience enough bone loss that dental implants won’t hold. If this is the case, we may recommend bone grafting.
Bone grafting is a procedure where we replace the missing bone in your jaw. There are three types: autogenous, allograft, and xenograft.
Autogenous grafts use bone from another part of your body, moving it to your mouth. Usually bone is removed from non-essential bones like your chin. By using your own bone, you are reducing the chance that your jawbone will reject it. It even prevents infection. Also, it is made up of active cellular material since it is still living.
Allografts use human bone but not your own. Instead, we use bone from cadavers who have donated their bones to bone banks. This is considered safe because the bone goes through rigorous testing before use.
Xenografts use bone from another source. The most commonly used source is cow bones.
The benefit of using either allografts or xenografts is that our patients will not have to have a second surgery to harvest their bone. Also, both sources are easily found so we will have plenty of bone for whatever you need.
Before we start, we use local anesthesia to numb the area where your bone will be removed and also in your mouth where the replacement bone is needed. We need to make an incision in your gums so we can see exactly how much bone is needed before we harvest your own bone or get bone from another source.
If we are harvesting bone from your chin, we will make another incision in the gums below your lower front teeth. This exposes the chin and we can remove the bone that we need, along with the marrow. We close this with stitches. After we remove the bone, we will place it where it is needed and screw it into the jawbone with titanium screws.
To help with the healing process, we may use bone marrow and bone-grafting material. We then stitch the incision closed.
After you have received a bone graft, you will need to go home with antibiotics and pain medication. You may need to eat soft food like pasta and JELL-O® while your mouth heals. It can take between six to nine months to completely heal. At that time, we will be able to place your dental implants in.
Don’t hesitate to contact us at (314) 725-4221 with any questions.
Canine Exposure
Canine exposure is a procedure used to assist when a canine tooth has become impacted. In some cases, due to overcrowding or inadequate space, teeth may be unable to erupt properly. This creates an impacted canine tooth. It is important to allow for these teeth to properly fit into your gum line as they are the “cornerstone” teeth and are very important for everything from aesthetics to function.
Canine exposure is a minor procedure which is performed in your dentist’s office under local anesthetics. Once numb, the dentist will thoroughly clean the problem area before making small incisions to remove part of the gum and bone if needed. Several options are then available as discussed with you by your doctor to see which is best for you. A bracket and chain, a cover plate, and a gauze pack are options which your dentist will use to help promote healing in your particular condition. Dissolvable sutures are then placed to seal the area.
You may experience some pain, minor bleeding, and swelling following the procedure. This is normal and can be controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. It is also recommended that you avoid vigorous exercise as well as extreme hot/cold food and drinks for a few days following. Lastly, your sutures will dissolve within 2-4 weeks.
Canine exposure is an excellent option for patients looking to improve and expose their natural smile with a minimally invasive procedure. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
Frenectomy
A frenectomy refers to the process of operating on a frenulum. A frenulum is a piece of tissue which prevents a structure from moving. You have two of these which attach the upper and lower lips to the gum tissue as well as one which attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In some cases, an atypical shape in the frenulum can lead to speech difficulties, tooth misalignment, and feeding problems. A minor, outpatient procedure can help resolve these issues.
Some cases in which a frenectomy is needed include: when there is excess spacing between the two front teeth, and the incorrect positioning of a frenulum causing gum recession or restricted tongue movement. For most patients treatment is performed in childhood to reduce the chance of developing further issues in adulthood.
The frenectomy is performed in a dentist’s office while the patient is under local anesthetics. The frenulum, which is too short or too thick, is then cut using a laser or scalpel and reshaped appropriately. Most patients experience little to no side effects. Some of the commonly seen after effects include some swelling, bleeding, and minimal pain at the site of the procedure.
For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
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Ridge Augmentation
If an area of bone has deteriorated or if a patient has significant bone loss along the jawline or ridge, we will need to restore the jaw using bone grafts. Placing bone granules at the site of deterioration, your jawline will be restored.
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Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove cells or a tissue sample so that it can be analyzed for any abnormalities. Your doctor may want to proceed with a biopsy to identify any unknown or unusual areas found.
In dentistry, it is common to examine tissue from the gums, bone, and teeth for any signs of disease or infection. An oral biopsy is commonly used to identify forms of oral cancer. This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure with the help of a fine needle or scalpel. Local anesthetics or topical creams are administered to the area in concern. If in a difficult to reach area, a general anesthetic may be required. In some cases, a sample can be drawn from a needle inserted into the lesion, in others however, the entire removal may be recommended. After the biopsy has been completed, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for testing.
You can expected soreness in your biopsy area for a few days following the procedure. Other commonly reported side effects include bleeding and swelling, both of which should subside within 2-3 days.
Any unexplained lesions should be looked at by your doctor. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
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Osseous Surgery
Here at Periodontal Specialists, P.C., we are proud to offer pocket reduction surgery. When you have periodontal disease, the tissue and bones in your mouth can be destroyed. Pocket reduction surgery is specifically for people who have experienced this. Your bone and gum tissue are supposed to fit snugly around your teeth. If you are like many out there whose gum tissue has become loose and fallen away, pocket reduction surgery could be the answer for you.
Your dentist will recommend pocket reduction surgery if your pockets are too deep to clean during your regular daily oral care routine and professional cleaning. You do not want to leave any spots of your mouth unclean because bacteria will get inside and cause further problems.
While receiving this procedure, we will fold back your gum tissue and remove the disease-causing bacteria prior to securing your tissue. This surgery is important so that you can maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.
Simply eliminating bacteria alone is not sufficient to prevent periodontal disease permanently. Reducing your pockets as well as maintaining a daily oral routine will help your chances of having healthy gums and teeth.
Our qualified staff is here to assist you in pocket reduction surgery. We will help you feel comfortable during the entire process and answer any questions you may have. You will have your beautiful, glowing smile back in no time.
If you have any questions about pocket reduction surgery, do not hesitate to reach out to us at (314) 725-4221.
Periodontal Splinting
Here at Periodontal Specialists, P.C., we are proud to offer periodontal splinting. Periodontal splinting is used for loose and weak teeth. It is done to stabilize the teeth. Basically, we place a splint behind your loose or weak tooth to help support it. We attach the loose tooth to another tooth.
Because the splint is behind your tooth, nobody will ever notice!
Even if your teeth are loose from an injury or grinding your teeth, periodontal splinting can help because it evens out your bite. That way you bite evenly on all of your teeth instead of putting pressure on just one or two of them.
If periodontal disease is the reason your teeth are weak, it is important to get the disease under control. We recommend a thorough cleaning along with routine brushing and flossing. We also recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. Often just getting the disease under control will strengthen your teeth. If they need more support, we would be happy to do the procedure.
If you have any questions about periodontal splinting or would like an examination, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
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Arestin
Here at Periodontal Specialists, P.C., we are happy to administer Arestin to patients in need. We are proud to assist patients in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding communities.
Periodontal disease is a serious infection in the gums that will begin below your gum line. If it is left untreated, gum disease can worsen quickly. This can cause pockets to form in the gums as well as the surrounding areas of the tooth and lead to bone and tooth loss.
Arestin is minocycline hydrochloride and is an antibiotic. It can kill the bacteria that are causing this infection. Our dentist is proud to be able to administer this antibiotic to help his patients’ oral health. We are able to treat you right here in our office.
Receiving Arestin is quick and easy. First, we will place it directly in the infected area or “pocket” in your gums. Next, we will apply it right after scaling and root planing. These are very common dental procedures that disrupt plaque that is stuck as well as bacteria that has grown below your gum line. Many people have a hard time reaching these places when they are flossing and brushing.
Our entire staff is knowledgeable and educated. You can always ask us any questions before, during, or after your appointment. Your health is our top priority. We want you to be proud of your smile, and receiving Arestin if you are having issues can help you feel confident.
If you have any questions regarding Arestin, contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
Periodontal Maintenance
Here at Periodontal Specialists, P.C., we are proud to offer periodontal maintenance.
Periodontal maintenance is a procedure that is done to clean your teeth thoroughly. It is very important to stop periodontal disease from getting any worse.
Periodontal maintenance cleans any tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth. It helps your teeth to look better and will also improve your breath!
During a maintenance cleaning, we remove any tartar and plaque buildup above and below your gums. This includes your gum pockets and underneath your gum line. We also remove bacteria. In bad cases of periodontal disease, we may medicate your teeth (and gum pockets) with an antibiotic or antimicrobial gel. We also use this time to take radiographs and get a clear view of your teeth and gums.
If you are due for a maintenance cleaning or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (314) 725-4221.
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