Author: Nrp900Ri22Df

My patients know that as a periodontist, I am in the profession of treating all gum related issues. Among the many periodontally related techniques that I perform, the circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy is especially helpful when used following orthodontic treatment.

Besides a tongue-twister, what is a circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy (CSF)? Put simply, a CSF is a surgical procedure used to prevent teeth that have been rotated due to orthodontic care, i.e. braces, from un-rotating back to their former position.

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

Gingival recession is a common result of periodontal disease. It occurs when the gums pull away from the tooth because of bacteria or occlusal trauma, increasingly exposing the tooth surface and often giving the tooth a longer appearance. Because the onset of gum disease is initially painless, one of the best ways to determine whether your gums are at risk is to check for gingival recession. But sometimes it can be hard to tell. How do you know if your gums are receding?

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

Many periodontal patients are familiar with the process of scaling and root planing. This procedure involves a thorough cleaning below the gum line to remove the destructive plaque and calculus that has been happily growing beyond the reach of a typical brushing and flossing routine. However, some patients do not understand the importance of the post-scaling and root planing evaluation that we schedule two to four weeks after the final scaling and root planing procedure. Misconceptions surrounding the two-to-four-week evaluation are unfortunate, since that appointment may be the most important one in the entire scaling and root planing treatment plan.

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recently issued a statement establishing the minimum standard of care for periodontal therapy. As part of that baseline standard, the AAP recommends that all patients receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation (CPE) at least once a year. Research on periodontal therapy and medical advances demonstrate the importance of this annual appointment for many reasons. Some of those reasons include allowing us to (1) uncover crucial information about your oral and systemic health; (2) conduct an in-depth, comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums, mouth, tongue, plaque and calculus levels, any diseases, periodontal-systemic interrelationships, and your unique risk factors; (3) and create and implement a customized treatment plan.

It is no secret that bacteria and plaque damage the teeth and gums if not consistently removed. But did you know that oral plaque can wreak havoc on the heart as well? There is an established link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular health problems. In fact, periodontal disease is an independent risk factor in predicting a serious cardiovascular event. Fortunately, proactively managing periodontal disease cuts down the risk of bacteria-related heart problems.

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

Patients scheduled for more involved procedures or who are simply weary of the periodontist’s office often want to know about the possibility of using nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” during their appointment. This article explains what nitrous oxide is, how it works, and the Dos and Don’ts of using nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless gas that has a faint sweet smell. An inhalation agent, the N2O enters the bloodstream as free gas before entering the brain. The gas is an analgesic, meaning it relieves pain. However, unlike an anesthetic, N2O does not completely eliminate sensation. Therefore, for surgeries that require a local anesthetic, N2O can be used in tandem with an anesthetic. However, N20 should not be relied on solely to eliminate pain.

With the rapid growth of implant technology and the increasing sophistication of implant placement protocols, there are now more options than ever before for patients requiring dental implants. One such option is a zirconia implant. While many implants are still crafted with titanium, implants made of zirconia are rising in demand for a number of reasons. Read on to find out if zirconia implants are the right choice for you.

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

For both the patient and the provider, dealing with insurance companies that overpromise, overcharge, and ultimately underdeliver is a supremely frustrating experience. In this article, we hope to address some common problems insurance companies cause their insured. Moreover, we explain what we are doing in our office to diminish the insurance headache for our number one priority — our patients.

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

If you’ve been reading our prior Perio posts, you’ve learned that periodontal disease affects not only the mouth but also the whole body. For example, there is an established link between untreated gum disease and heart disease. However, recent studies have demonstrated a correlation between periodontal disease and gut health too. Because of this connection, it is important to know how taking care of your oral health may improve the balance of microorganisms in your digestive tract.

Serving the greater Triangle area – Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest.

Maintaining one’s periodontal health is critical in keeping the teeth and surrounding oral structures stable, preventing recession and gum disease, and avoiding tooth loss. Moreover, a recent study confirms what health care professionals have increasingly suspected: there is a critical link between gum disease and Alzheimers.