You’ve been told that you have periodontal disease and that you need to see a periodontist. Now what? What is a “periodontist”? And what is “periodontal disease”? Read on to have your fundamental questions answers before even stepping foot in a periodontal office.
It is an unfortunate truth that COVID-19 has become the new normal in our every-day life, at least for now. Along with the worry surrounding the advent of this disease, a myriad of other concerns have arisen. Should I go to the grocery store? Is it safe to see my family? And importantly, should I skip my periodontal visit?
Incongruously, many people who feel comfortable heading to the grocery store, taking pets to the nearby park, or pumping gas at the nearby station make the conscious choice to skip their periodontal visits. These individuals cite coronavirus fears as the reason for this course of conduct. But is skipping periodontal appointments a prudent choice?
For an abundance of reasons, skipping out on periodontal appointments is one of the worst actions one can take for health’s sake during this pandemic. Here are some of the reasons why:
For many, the holiday season entails family, fun, and food . . . often too much food. But did you know that the food you choose during holiday festivities can actually improve your oral health? By intentionally consuming goodies that actually aid your oral health while avoiding some of the worst oral health offenders, you can still enjoy many Christmas treats while simultaneously helping your teeth and gums. Read on to discover some of the traditional holiday foods that work to your mouth’s advantage, and some of the foods that you should avoid.
As a periodontist, I perform surgical implant procedures on a regular basis, and I have placed over 3,000 implants during my career with an overwhelming success rate. However, sometimes patients come to me who have previously received implants, the implant has failed, and the implant now requires removal surgery and replacement. Removal and replacement due to failure is not only frustrating for the patient, but it is also expensive and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are a number of steps a patient can take to help ensure the first implant he or she receives remains healthy and secure for years to come.
A beautiful smile begins with healthy teeth and gums. The explosion of new technology has given periodontists advanced techniques and materials to treat, heal, and enhance your natural smile. We know that receiving care from a specialist can be expensive. If you are wondering how to obtain excellent and affordable periodontal treatment, we have an idea! Welcome to North Raleigh Periodontics VIP Membership Plan.
When explaining to patients their likelihood of developing inflammatory gum disease, I describe what I call the “Pyramid of Susceptibility.” This pyramid is comprised of three layers: (1) bacteria, (2) genetic makeup of saliva, and (3) immune system. These three components are significant determinants in a person’s likelihood to develop gum disease. Furthermore, consideration of these factors, along with a number of external variables, can help predict and prevent the development of periodontal disease for each individual patient.
Have you been told that you need regenerative treatment for recessed gums, and you want to know what to expect pre and post-operatively? Or have you already experienced the gum graft procedure, and you’d like to know if you are on the right track towards complete healing? It’s important to know not only what gum graft surgery itself involves, but also how to prepare yourself both before and after this relatively minor procedure.
When patients first seek treatment at North Raleigh Periodontics, many complain of sensitivity to hot and cold, pain, and discomfort in their gums. Most often these symptoms occur as a result of gingival recession at the gum line. The untreated, harmful buildup of oral bacteria causes this gum recession by breaking down the gum tissue. Over time, sensitivity and pain at the gum line will occur, the teeth will become mobile, and, if untreated, the teeth will fall out. Here at North Raleigh Periodontics, we treat the surrounding structures of the teeth. In short, we improve gum tissue health which helps you maintain your teeth with comfort and functionality. Sometimes, regenerative treatment is necessary to restore the vitality of the gums and connective tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth.
The surgical uncovering of impacted teeth for bracket placement is one of the many procedures that we are happy to perform for orthodontic patients with braces or in preparation for braces. An important part of properly positioned teeth is the way that teeth grow in through the process of “erupting” through the gums. A common problem in the positioning of teeth is impacted teeth. An impacted tooth is one that is improperly positioned underneath the gums, making it unlikely that the tooth will grow in correctly without surgical intervention.
Most patients feel a great sense of relief after a surgical procedure upon realizing that it was not as bad as they had anticipated. Next, however, patients wonder, “now what? What is normal and what is abnormal? Should I be worried about [fill in the blank] . . .?” This article briefly explains what a postoperative patient should expect as a normal part of the healing process, what a patient should do to best facilitate rapid and full healing, and what to do if unusual pain occurs.