Periodontal Services
Periodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease as well as the process of replacing teeth with dental implants. Periodontists receive up to three years of additional, specialized training in treating periodontal disease and other conditions.
Periodontists are also specialists in treating oral inflammation and any condition requiring either non-surgical treatment or oral plastic surgery. Oftentimes, periodontists are treating conditions caused by periodontal disease and its effects such as persistent bad breath or gum recession.
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.
Dental Implants
Did you know that we are all born smiling? It seems rather hard to imagine, but even babies before they are born have been caught smiling on ultrasounds. Therefore, it would seem that smiling is one of the most basic and shared expressions of humans. However, there are many times since we’re born that we find it difficult to smile, but if you’re dealing with tooth loss, you might find that smiling is even rarer for you. If your once beautiful smile has been replaced with tight, close-lipped smirks, let the team at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group help you smile again with dental implants.
The Solution You’ve Been Looking For
For healthy individuals that come to our practice looking to replace missing teeth, we often recommend dental implants. That’s because they are easy to adjust to because they really act and feel just like real teeth, so there’s no getting used to them. They will feel just like your teeth did before you lost them. You’ll enjoy a strong, stable bite. You’ll be able to eat the foods you loved that you can’t currently eat with missing teeth. Any awkward speech issues that occurred as a result of your tooth loss will go away. You’ll smile more. You’ll feel more confident. You might even ask for that promotion. There is so much that dental implants can offer you, and our dental team wants to make that possible for you.
A Tooth For Life
What makes dental implants stand out from other options is that once they are placed, they are strong enough to last the rest of your life. This means that as long as you maintain good oral hygiene your implant will stay healthy. We know that this is a key reason adults turn to dental implants.
Even current denture wearers have come into our practice to get dental implants to support their current set of dentures so that they stay firmly in place and function more like real teeth. That’s the great thing about dental implants, our dentists can easily replace one, two, several, or all of your teeth with the help of this amazing restoration.
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.
request an appointment
Scaling and Root Planing
Are you tired of clutching your mouth in pain? Are you experiencing swollen and tender gums that just won’t heal? Do you notice a persistent sore on your gums? While you might not want to think about it, these are all classic signs of an infected tooth. You may wish to sit around and wait out the pain, but with most infections, it will only get worse until something is done to treat it. This is especially true for dental problems.
Why suffer through pain and discomfort when you could get the treatment you need to feel better? Here are the how’s why’s of root canal therapy from our dentists Dr. Shaw and Dr. Davies.
Why is a root canal necessary?
A root canal is needed when bacteria get inside the tooth, infecting or irritating the dental pulp. This often occurs due to serious decay, decay that’s trapped under a filling, infection, or trauma to the tooth.
What are the signs that you might need a root canal?
- Sudden pain
- Severe sensitivity to hot and cold
- A loose tooth
- Pain while eating
- Swelling and tender gums around the infected tooth
- Pus or an abscess surrounding the infected tooth
- Swelling in the face
Will dental infections or damage always have symptoms?
This is the tricky and frustrating part—sometimes you can still have a dental problem that requires root canal therapy, but you won’t actually experience any symptoms. At this point, you might be wondering how you’ll know to go to the dentist. In these cases, we reiterate the importance of keeping up with your six-month checkups. Even if you don’t notice symptoms, we will perform diagnostic X-rays that will be able to pinpoint even the smallest dental issues.
What is root canal therapy like?
Nowadays, this treatment is no more complicated than getting a tooth filled. We will use local anesthesia to numb your mouth, and then we will go inside the tooth to remove the pulp and infected tissue.
Then we will make sure to clean the inside of the tooth to remove any bacteria or debris. We will also flush the tooth out with disinfectants. If there is an infection present, we may also choose to medicate the infected area and wait until the infection is clear before filling your tooth.