Wine Country Perio & Implantology

The goal of periodontal surgery is to restore and regenerate normal form and function to the supporting structures of the teeth when they have been lost and/or damaged by periodontal (gum) disease. This includes your gum tissue, periodontal ligament, and bone. While the only monitor for periodontal (gum) disease is controlling daily bacterial plaque, this type of surgery is aimed at treating the defects resulting from the disease thereby creating a more favorable environment around your teeth for daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance. To determine whether or not you require periodontal surgery, we will conduct an examination using a periodontal probe to check for pocketing, the detachment of the gum tissue along the sides of your teeth. Learn more about this surgical option that can help change your smile while returning good oral health in “Periodontal Surgery—Where Art Meets Science.”

The news may be shocking for some but bone regeneration for implant dentistry is a routine procedure in periodontal and oral surgery. With new technology, grafting materials are able to regenerate lost bone with predictable results. This ability is critical for patients who need to replace missing teeth but lack enough bone for anchoring implants. Learn more about the process of guided bone regeneration plus some questions to ask our office should you find yourself lacking sufficient bone volume for an implant in this article, “Can Dentists Rebuild Bone?”

You may have heard the term “dental implant,” but do you really know what it is? Teeth essentially can be thought of having two main parts: the crown, the part of the tooth that can be seen above the gum tissues, and the root, the part that is suspended in the bone by periodontal ligament (“peri” = around; “odont” = tooth) that keeps the tooth in place. A dental implant is a tooth replacement system in which an extracted tooth and its root are replaced with a new metal “root” (implant) that is typically made of titanium. The new tooth, usually made of porcelain, is then attached to the implant via a retaining screw and abutment connector. Learn more by reading “What Is a Dental Implant?.”

The news may be shocking for some but bone regeneration for implant dentistry is a routine procedure in periodontal and oral surgery. With new technology, grafting materials are able to regenerate lost bone with predictable results. This ability is critical for patients who need to replace missing teeth but lack enough bone for anchoring implants. Learn more about the process of guided bone regeneration plus some questions to ask our office should you find yourself lacking sufficient bone volume for an implant in this article, “Can Dentists Rebuild Bone?”

Because diabetes negatively impacts the immune system’s normal response to inflammation and wound healing, it can also wreak havoc in your mouth through periodontal (gum) disease. In fact, if left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bone loss and eventually the loss of teeth—regardless of whether or not you are diabetic. These reasons make it critical, especially if you are diabetic, pre-diabetic, or if diabetes runs in your family’s medical history—that you understand what periodontal disease is, its causes, and its relationship to your overall health. Learn more by reading “Periodontal Disease—More than a Mouth-Full.”

Regardless of what lead to the problem, hearing the news that you are about to lose a front tooth that is vital to your smile can be devastating. Fortunately, there is hope for restoring your smile and confidence through the art and science of implantology. Prior to starting the actual process, it is important that you voice your concerns, fears, and goals so that a treatment plan can be developed. With this information, findings and diagnosis, you have a solid foundation for achieving the most desirable results. Learn more about the process in this step-by-step article focused on an actual patient by reading “How Implants Can Save a Smile.”

read entire article »

If you have a dental procedure scheduled and we feel that you would benefit from oral sedation, being familiar with some of the most common options is helpful. These medications include: Valium®, Halcion®, Ativan®, Versed®, Vistaril®, and Sonata®. With the exception of Vistaril and Sonata, all of these medications belong to a class of drugs called Benzodiazepines that are prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, agitation, and even muscle spasms. Learn more about these medications including a brief description and how long they should affect you in “Oral Sedation Dentistry.”

read whole article »