Services

Periodontal Therapy

Initial periodontal therapy, also known as scaling and root planning or deep cleaning is a treatment used to remove and eliminate dental plaque and calculus, which cause inflammation and periodontal disease. Ongoing inflammation results in bone loss and tissue (gum) loss.
Periodontal therapy may be performed using a number of dental tools, such as an ultrasonic instrument, as well as dental hand instruments.

Common Periodontal Disease Facts Include:

• Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects both bone and tissue within the periodontium
• Also known as gingivitis in its early stages.
• A more advanced form of periodontal disease is known as periodontitis. In this stage there can be bone loss and the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. Periodontinitis is more evident in adulthood.
• Inflammation is a result of bacterial infection, but other factors can influence the severity of the disease.
• Risk factors can include genetic disposition, smoking, age, diet, health history, and lack of adequate home oral care.
• Periodontal disease is commonly connected to a variety of other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Periodontal Disease is typically diagnosed with a visual assessment by a Periodontis, but tests can be performed to confirm, as well.

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of San Antonio offer a variety of periodontal treatments. Treatment will vary depending on the patients’ needs and preference. Treatments may include scaling and root planning, root surface debridement and/or surgical procedures.  Our primary goal is to treat and prevent future deterioration of bone and tissue, thus establishing a disease free periodontium.

Dental Implants

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry offers a wide range of dental implant services, ranging from single tooth replacements to mini-implants to full mouth replacements, comprehensive 3D CBCT planning and and Nobel Biocare’s “All-on-4”™ implants.

Dental implants:

• Routinely replace teeth with a success rate of over 95%.
• Provide tooth replacements which look, chew and function like natural teeth.
• Do not decay and do not have nerves to cause pain like natural teeth.
• Feature fixtures made of titanium, which is non-toxic and biocompatible.
• Include therapy that is usually a collaboration between our periodontist and your general/restorative dentist.
• Are also routinely used in orthodontics (straightening teeth). By placing implants in desired locations, orthodontists can use them to aid in their tooth movements and help complete your case even faster.
• Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) planning involves using a three-dimensional x-ray of your jawbone to plan for perfect placement of your dental implant. This new technology provides more detailed information that is not available with conventional x-rays. In some cases, this technology can be used for computer based implant placement and fabrication of specialized surgical guides that can ensure perfect placement of your dental implant.
• Nobel Biocare’s “All-on-4″™ is an attractive fixed prosthetic solution used for tilting posterior implants to support an acrylic bridge, and in some cases is fabricated and functioning just a few hours after surgery.

Tissue and Bone Grafts

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of San Antonio’s oral surgeons are highly skilled and mastered surgeons when it comes to tissue and bone grafts. Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, tissue and/or bone grafts may be necessary to correct the damaging effects of gum recession. Gum recession occurs when the tissue that surrounds the teeth begins to pull away from the tooth, exposing more of the tooth. This process can also lead to bone damage. Advanced gum disease affects 4% to 12% of adults and unfortunately often goes unnoticed until the problem is severe.

Types of Tissue Grafts Performed Include:

• Connective Tissue Grafts:  This method is most commonly used in the treatment of root exposure. Tissue is taken from underneath a flap of skin in the roof of your mouth that was surgically cut by your surgeon, and then grafted to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root.
• Free Gingival Grafts:  This method also involves using tissue from the roof of your mouth, only there is no flap involved. Instead, a small amount of tissue is taken directly from the roof of your mouth and then grafted to the area being treated.
• Pedicle Grafts:  This procedure is entirely different than the other two procedures, in that instead of taking tissue from the roof of your mouth, the tissue is taken directly from the gum in the area of the tooth being repaired and treated. This procedure can only be performed on people with the least amount of gum loss.

Please note that tissue grafting material can also be obtained from a tissue bank, if the patient prefers.

Bone Grafting Facts:

• Bone grafting is also known as bone augmentation.
• Grafting is necessary to build up the jaw bone in order for it to support the dental implant and is necessary when tooth loss is caused by periodontal disease, infection, injury or trauma, or a developmental defect.
• Common bone augmentation procedures include bone grafting, a sinus lift, a ridge expansion, and a less commonly performed procedure is called distraction osteogenesis.
• Bone grafting has a high success rate. Bone grafts are not rejected by the body like with organ transplants, but there is a small chance that the graft can fail. A failed graft can be removed, but the chances of failure are slim.
• This procedure can be done right within the comfort of the office and is typically performed under local anesthesia.
• Bone grafting is a procedure that is typically performed when a patient has lost a tooth, in order to replace the lost tooth with a dental implant. The bone used for the grafting procedure can be removed from your own body or the oral surgeon can use bone made from human cadavers or cows.

Sedation Dentistry

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of San Antonio offers the use of pharmacological agents (sedatives) to relax and calm our patients both prior to and during a procedure. Sedatives can be taken orally or given through an IV to the patient prior to any procedure. Sedation therapy is also referred to as conscious sedation, because the patient is fully alert, but calm and relaxed before and during a procedure.

Benefits of Sedation Include:

• To relax and calm the patient.
• The patient will have little or no memory of treatment.
• Movement control.
• Creates a safe and comfortable experience for the patient.