Periodontal Therapy

We recognize the importance of taking the overall health of your teeth and gums very seriously. Our staff is highly trained and dedicated to inform you on the latest techniques and innovations.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology , over half of American adults have some form of periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease.  Known as the “silent” disease, most who suffer from periodontal disease don't even realize it until their disease reaches an advanced state.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, bone, and supporting tissues of the teeth, whose progressive symptoms may include:
- Red, swollen and tender gums, that bleed easily
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums pulling away from the teeth
- Puss between the gum and teeth
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

The first stage of the disease is gingivitis.  If gingivitis remains untreated, it can advance to periodontitis, which not only leads to irreversible damage of the gums and bone around the teeth, but has been linked to other serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory disease, and pre-term birth.

Our hygienist's diagnose this disease through a process that measures the depth of the pockets around each tooth. Pockets greater than 3 millimeters in depth will generally require treatment. We will make a series of appointments to help eradicate the disease by removing the bacteria and substances that form around your teeth.

The most important factors affecting the success of periodontal therapy are your personal home care efforts, your overall health and catching and treating the disease early. We will do everything we can to tailor around your individual needs.

Night Guards

Bruxism (pronounced BRUK-sizm) is the forceful clenching and/or grinding of the teeth, often without being aware that you are doing it. Bruxism often occurs during sleep and can even occur during short naps. Others grind their teeth during the daytime as well, most often during situations that make them feel tense or anxious.

People with severe bruxism can fracture dental fillings or cause other types of tooth damage. Severe bruxism has also been blamed for some cases of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), mysterious morning headaches and unexplained facial pain.

Symptoms of bruxism include:

• Rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles
• A grinding sound at night, which may disturb the sleep of someone who shares a bedroom with someone with bruxism
• A dull morning headache
• Jaw muscles that are tight or painful, especially in the morning
• Chronic facial pain
• Damaged teeth, fractured dental fillings and injured gums

Ongoing management of bruxism is based on minimizing the abrasion of your tooth's surfaces by wearing a custom fitted night guard , which is designed specifically for you and made to the shape of your upper or lower teeth. The first appointment will consist of taking impressions of your teeth followed up with an additional appointment to pick up your night guard. The process will generally take about a week.