Lima Dental
Mon - Fri
Saturdays and after hours
By appointment only
Palmview 1337 E Palmavista Dr Suite D
Palmview, Texas 78572
(956) 600-7412
McAllen 601 N. McColl Rd Ste. A
McAllen, TX
(956) 800-4501
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Restoring Periodontally Involved Teeth

Periodontal therapy

Laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, and ozone therapy are some periodontal therapy methods that are available today.

In our dental practice, we only utilize treatment methods that show demonstrable successes over long periods of time using data from manufacturer-independent studies.

Periodontal therapy is always a long-term therapy, in which case failures often become recognizable only after years and can then have significant consequences for the patient. Therefore, we adhere to only proven techniques that deliver measurable success.

That said; these techniques succeed only in combination with manual cleaning we carry out.

For us, the periodontal cleanings of teeth are therefore exclusively made with ultrasound and hand instruments, complemented by polishes and, in exceptional cases, the use of an Airflow device to remove massive foreign deposits on the teeth and periodontal tissue.

These treatments are very time consuming and labor-intensive for them to be successful, which is why we are proud of our team of highly qualified and experienced dentists that don’t cut corners while striving to give you the best care possible.

Soft Tissue Grafts

Periodontitis can cause the gums and other soft tissues to recede (recessions) or be lost resulting in exposed tooth necks that not only impair aesthetics but also make the teeth much more sensitive and prone to dental caries.

Unfortunately, lost tissue cannot be regained even after periodontal treatment. This means new tissues must be constructed by surgical means to achieve function and beauty. And even though our bodies can carry out minor “repairs” on its own by forming scar tissue and a so-called long ciliary epithelium on the damaged periodontal pocket, the dentist must help rebuild the periodontium via a soft tissue graft if the desired result is to be achieved.

To correct the defect, we surgically “harvest” connective tissue or mucous membrane from your palate and place it in the recipient bed and anchored firmly without tension with a special tissue adhesive or fine stitching. Thanks to the small wound edges, the tissue heals without scars. Also, the sampling point is closed again so that they can heal.

After the healing phase, the transplanted tissue will grow and adapt very well with the surrounding tissues. With soft tissue grafts, the dental necks are well protected for daily oral hygiene or against cold and heat irritation allowing you to smile gracefully again.

Crown Lengthening

A crown lengthening is the extension of the part of a tooth or molar that protrudes above the gums (natural crown).

A crown extension may be necessary because there is not enough support for a crown treatment or because there is a hole in a tooth lying deep under the gums. Another reason may be that the teeth are short, the gums uneven or bulky (as seen in “gummy smile”) or a combination of one or more of these features making it a cosmetic problem in which case crown lengthening becomes the perfect solution.

The teeth are surgically exposed as far as possible under local anesthesia so that the bone surrounding the teeth can be slightly reduced. The extent of bone removal depends on the thickness and morphology of the bone. The gums and soft tissue surrounding the neck of the teeth is thinned a little and then attached to the teeth again.

The pain after a crown lengthening procedure is quite moderate and can effectively be handled with your typical painkiller.

With the help of our experienced team and proper aftercare, you’ll soon forget about the procedure but for your perfectly set teeth and radiant smile revealed – no more hiding your smile or tolerating the stares whenever you talk or open your mouth.

Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal Surgery involves all surgical interventions in the gums and periodontium that serve the aesthetic or functional improvement of the patient’s situation. These procedures are typically needed to rescue deeply damaged teeth, remove broken roots on existing teeth, or improve a patient’s aesthetic appeal.

Surgical periodontitis therapy is necessary if the following findings are present: Severe forms of periodontitis and if periodontal pockets fail to heal after non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Some Periodontal Surgical procedures include:

Bone and tissue structures regeneration

After successful therapy of periodontitis (the elimination of a bacterial infection), in some cases, lost bones and the associated tissues can be rebuilt on the tooth. Various surgical techniques are available for this purpose, all of which involve only minimal intervention on the patient (microsurgery).

Gum recovery

Today we have various techniques for the regeneration (reconstruction) of lost gums available that can significantly increase the quality of life.

Surgical crown lengthening

A surgical crown extension is needed to rescue deeply damaged teeth that have lost their natural crown, or parts of it, due to tooth decay or accidents, or in individuals with a “gummy smile”.

Root amputation

Periodontal disease or failed root canal treatment can lead to situations where a root is destroyed and needs to be removed. This is especially often the case with teeth whose removal would have significant consequences for the patient.

The microsurgical periodontal therapy includes the use of magnifying aids (magnifying glasses or microscope) plus the use of special microsurgical instruments. The use of special types of dental equipment and skills of our dental professions ensures minimal surgical tissue trauma, less post-procedure discomfort, little scarring, and the positive outcome of the procedure itself.

Non-Surgical Dental Treatments

Periodontal disease is a treacherous disease as it often progresses to very advanced stages, painless, and unfortunately, it is already considered by many experts to be a common problem affection a significant number of people. Affected patients need accurate diagnoses, followed by a top-of-the-line treatment, which might include non-surgical dental procedures.

In our practice, we follow scientifically well-researched and long-term proven treatment concepts. This concept provides for systematic and repeated cleaning of bacteria-infected teeth surfaces. Wherever possible, these cleansing operations are non-surgical – these treatments are similar to dental cleansing with anesthetic.

Each therapy begins with a “hygiene phase”, in which the habitat for harmful bacteria is systematically destroyed by several successive cleanings. At the same time, a gradual adaptation of individual oral hygiene is taking place to make new bacterial colonization impossible.

As part of the hygiene phase, further diagnostic testing may be carried out, such as “bacterial tests” or three-dimensional X-ray images (DVT).

Following the initial phase, the next line of action is to thoroughly clean the gum pockets and root surfaces under local anesthesia. With specialized equipment, such as ultrasonic instruments to reach areas deep under the gums- all hard pads are removed, and the roots treated.

Today, even deeper pockets no longer need to be cut to clean them. Our minimally invasive therapies allow us to be much more tissue-friendly.

Once this is done, already loosened teeth can be stabilized with a composite rail. Depending on the result of the bacteria tests, the treatment can be intensified with antibiotic therapy or the addition of special antibiotics in the periodontal pockets.

We can help more than 95% of our periodontal patients in the long term with purely non-surgical treatment. Surgical measures are, therefore, only necessary in exceptional cases.

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