Vancouver Periodontal Blog

Periodontitis is the inflammation of the gum and bone area surrounding the teeth, brought on by a bacteria infection. Bacteria in plaque and calculus adheres to the teeth. Periodontitis can cause irreversible damage to the the teeths’ supporting structure.

The sooner periodontitis is treated, the better the long-term prognosis for your teeth. Generally a painless infection, it can develop without your knowledge. If you are diagnosed with the disease most dentists will refer you to a periodontist. Treatment involves the removal of all bacteria that has adhered itself to your teeth below the gum line.

Part 2: Treatment of Periodontitis

Choosing a Vancouver periodontist goes beyond the basic health of your teeth. Tooth loss and gum disease are the root of many dental problems. When the gums become diseased, they no longer provide a healthy base for the teeth and this can lead to other problems like tooth loss. The good news is that many periodontic problems can be easily treated.

A periodontist may be a doctor who specializes in this field of dentistry or a dentist who incorporates this area into his/her regular practice. When you are choosing a dental practitioner, it is important to ask how much experience he/she has working with gum health. Find out if the periodontist is board certified and ask about his/her level of specialized education.

It is also important to find out if a particular periodontist is covered by your insurance plan. If not, you will want to know what type of payment plan the office provides to ensure you can pay your dental bills in a timely manner. Most periodontal specialists will offer some type of financing options for their patients.

Another factor to consider is how well the periodontists you’re considering in Vancouver keep up with the latest procedures. For example, dental implants have become a popular treatment for tooth loss today. Instead of dentures that can come loose or cause problems with eating or speaking, dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. If this is a treatment you are considering, you will want to find out if the particular Vancouver periodontal specialist you are considering has ample experience in the procedure.

Periodontal treatment is an important component in good oral hygiene and health. If you are experiencing bleeding gums, pain while chewing or loose or missing teeth, speak with your dentist or periodontist.

Schedule an appointment with a Vancouver periodontist

Vancouver General Practice Dentists

Most general dentists are able to determine which of their patients are good candidates for dental implants. Because surgery is required, only people with healthy gums and strong jawbones should be considered good candidates for dental implants. Older people often feel they may not qualify for tooth implants but that is rarely the case.

Some general practitioners have the skills to perform dental implant surgery, but in most cases it is better if the family dentist refers you to a Vancouver periodontal professional that specializes in dental implants.

Restore Your Smile

Vancouver Dental Implant Specialists

A periodontist that specializes in dental implant surgery relies on superior training in periodontal procedures and specialized experience. A dental implant specialist is better able to decide which type of implant is right for your treatment, minimize your discomfort and provide a long term solution for your tooth loss.

Dental implants by a periodontal professional assure you of a natural-looking smile with no gaps. The anchor of the implant is surgically implanted in the jaw and the bone is then allowed to fuse around it for a period of several weeks. After the implant has taken root, an artificial tooth is created and fitted to the post of the implant. Your implant tooth will look and feel like your own.

Care for your tooth implants as you would the rest of your teeth, with daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular visits to your family dentist. With proper care and maintenance, your dental implants should last for many years.

Referrals from a dentist are not necessary to see a periodontist, but you should check with your insurance policy regarding coverage.

Visit your Vancouver dental implant specialist

Dental Implants

Dental implants replace missing teeth with fabricated replacements designed after your natural teeth. Your natural tooth has two parts. The crown is visible above the gums and the root secures it to the jawbone. Dental implants may have several components, but they also have two primary parts, just like your natural teeth. The restoration is custom fabricated to match the shape and coloration of your natural tooth crown. The titanium implant replaces the function of your natural tooth root, securing the restoration to your jawbone. Implants are made of titanium or titanium alloy because our bodies normally accept titanium without infection.

In the first phase of treatment, an opening in the jawbone is created in preparation. The implant is inserted followed by a healing cover. In some cases the gums are sutured. Through the process of osseointegration, healing begins. Bone molecules from your jawbone begin to attach themselves to the titanium of the implant. In the two to four month period following the placement of your implant the bone securely bonds to the implant, securing it permanently in place.

In the second phase of treatment, the custom restoration is securely fitted to the implant. The completed restoration looks and feels like your natural tooth.

Vancouver periodontal services, dental implants