Periodontics

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure performed by a periodontist and involves reducing or shaving down gum tissue for medical or cosmetic dentistry reasons. Oftentimes, many patients request this procedure to reduce the visibility of their gums to give a more natural or desirable appearance.

Recent research has shown that your gums have a significant impact on your overall health, particularly cardiovascular disease. People with gum disease are two to three times more likely at risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event compared to people without gum disease.

Some research has suggested that gum disease might also increase the risk of certain forms of cancer such as kidney, pancreatic, and blood cancers, however, more research is required in these areas.

Contact us if you have more questions about gum disease.

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gum line done to treat gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque, which can build up in your gums and become inflamed. When this happens, your gums pull away from the roots of your teeth and form spaces called pockets, getting trapped. You are unable to remove plaque from pockets with normal brushing and if left unchecked it can lead to bone and tooth loss.

When you have gum disease, a process called scaling and root planing is done to remove the plaque and help restore your gum health. The process of scaling removes plaque and tartar from below your gum line, while root planing smooths the tooth root and helps your gums reattach to the tooth.

If you suspect you have gum disease and think scaling and root planning can help, contact us today.

Everybody, regardless of their oral health, has bacteria in their mouth. Bacteria naturally mix with food byproducts and proteins, creating a sticky film called dental plaque. Plaque coats your teeth and gets under your gum line. Sometimes plaque that carries bacteria can damage your tooth enamel and cause cavities. If plaque is left too long on your teeth, it can harden into tartar. Tartar, also called calculus, forms above and below the gum line. It has been shown to lead to receding gums and gum disease and requires removal by special tools in a dentist’s office.

If you have a buildup of plaque and tartar, you should visit a dentist. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Gum disease is a condition which affects millions of people. There are a number of symptoms which can indicate gum disease, such as:

• Persistent halitosis
• Swollen or red gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Pain while chewing
• Loose & sensitive teeth
• Receding gums

If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, you might have gum disease and should visit a dentist. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Though periodontal disease is very common, there are a number of things you can do to prevent it. The most effective prevention is by following good oral hygiene practices such as:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing or using a waterpik every day to remove plaque between your teeth
• Quitting smoking
• Visiting the dentist for routine checkups and cleaning

If you follow these simple steps, you are well on your way towards preventing periodontal disease. Contact us today for more questions!

A periodontist specialized in a branch of dentistry that is concerned with diagnosing and treating tissue, gum, and jawbone problems or diseases. I few procedures they perform to treat these problems can include gum grafts, flap surgery, bone grafts, and scaling/root planing.

One gum graft takes approximately one hour or 90 minutes. If you need more than one graft in different areas of your mouth, your session could take longer than normal. After your procedure is done, you will still require a few weeks for your mouth to heal.

Everyone heals at a different rate, but typically a gum graft is healed enough to eat normally after the two-week mark. Until then, liquids, soups, and soft foods are the best to eat in order to not damage your gums.

It is never too late to receive a gum grafting procedure. At Pretoria Bridge Dental, you can contact us at any time to inquire about our gum graft services and if they might be a good fit for you.