The Patient’s Role in Periodontal Treatment: Fort Lauderdale

Patients sometimes ask what their role is during therapy – and here is what we tell them.

No matter how successful the periodontal treatment has been, the patient is the most important part in maintaining periodontal health.

For maximum results, the patient must accept this role as a “co-therapist”.

# 1)
The first charge to the patient is to eliminate factors that increase susceptibility to periodontal disease. The prime culprit is smoking, which dramatically increases the odds of losing teeth – yikes!

Diabetic patients are also more susceptible, although this effect is negligible if the blood sugar remains stable.

Healthy diets promote healing, but don’t be misled by vitamin claims. Periodontal disease is not affected by high doses of Vitamin C or calcium supplements if the patient has a normal diet.

# 2)
The second responsibility of the patient is to maintain daily plaque control with brushing and flossing. Brushing is easy for most of us but flossing is more demanding.

Most periodontal disease however starts between the teeth, where the brush cannot reach. “Floss is Boss” and the time spent in learning proper technique will pay large dividends.

# 3)
Lastly, the patient is responsible for scheduling regular maintenance. The frequency is determined by your periodontists with moderate and advanced cases should have periodontal maintenance appointment every three months for their lifetime and staying faithful to this schedule is key.

Do you have questions about your smile?

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

What Causes Periodontal Disease – What Ft. Lauderdale Patients Want to Know?

laser gum therapy in ft. lauderdale, deefield beach

Unhealthy gums before laser surgery with Dr. DeTure, Deerfield Beach and Ft. Lauderdale Periodontist.

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection. What happens is that bacteria initially accumulate along the gum line in the form of plaque.

The body’s immune system sends white blood cells to fight the bacteria, but this response actually encourages the gum tissue to break down in order to make room for the blood vessels.

As a result, “pockets” form between the gums and the tooth’s hard surfaces, providing ideal conditions for more bacterial growth. Eventually, the interaction of bacteria with the body’s immune system can result in destruction of bone that supports each tooth.

What Kind of Bacteria Cause destruction?

There are many normal types of bacteria in our mouths and most of them won’t cause any problems for us.

However, researchers have identified specific bacteria that are sound in periodontal disease. When these types of bacteria are present, we know the patient is at increased risk for periodontal disease. When the bacteria appear in large numbers, they may signal an acute phase of the disease.

That’s certainly when you know it’s time to see a periodontist and begin a plan for treating the infection.

How Can I Tell If I Have These bacteria?

Previously, the only way we, as trained periodontists, could tell was by seeing the destruction caused by bacteria – the deep pockets, the loss of bone, etc. Now we don’t have to wait until after the damage is done.

Using a special microscope and/or culturing, we can tell if you are harboring the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. For patients who have already been treated for periodontal disease, this evidence can alert us to the possibility that the disease is re-entering an active phase.

Speak with a Periodontist Today

If you have questions for a periodontist – what we do, how we can help your smile, how we treat gum disease or what services we provide for ‘fixing smiles’ – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

10 Services Provided by Your Ft. Lauderdale Periodontist

In Broward County Florida (Ft. Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach and surrounding areas) you can find periodontists that offer a variety of different services.

At the Broward Center for Laser Periodontics and Implants, we are a nationally known practice because of both the quality of the treatment we provide and the range of periodontal services offered.

Our Top 10 Periodontal Services

# 1 Laser Gum Surgery
Laser surgery provides a much improved methods for saving teeth with advanced periodontal disease for those patients who want to save their teeth but do not want or are not good candidates for conventional surgery.

# 2 Dental Implants
If you lose one or more teeth due to periodontal disease, or another cause, there is hope. Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

# 3 Bone Grafting
Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee).

Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.

# 4 Frenectomy
A lack of attached gingival is sometimes associated with a high frenum attachment, which exaggerated the pull on the gum margin. A frenum is a naturally occurring muscle attachment, normally seen between the front teeth (either upper or lower). It is normal to have a frenum, but it should not pull on the gum margin or recession will occur.

If pulling is seen, the frenum is surgically released from the gum with a frenectomy. Often a new band of hard gum is also added to re-establish an adequate amount of attached gingival. In many cases a frenectomy is needed prior or during orthodontic treatment to help close gaps between teeth.

# 5 Gum Grafting
When there is gum recession, the root of the tooth often shows and is unsightly. Gum grafting is needed to restore health (See Gum Recession). But root coverage may also be desired to improve appearance. This is generally accomplished with a connective tissue graft, which provides new attached gingival while covering the root surface.

# 6 Crown Lengthening
The part of the tooth that is seen above the gum is called the clinical crown. When not enough of the clinical crown is showing, the gum must be moved up the root to expose more teeth. This is called crown lengthening.

# 7 Cosmetic Periodontics
There are Cosmetic Periodontal procedures that can help you get the smile you desire. For patients that have an uneven gum line, giving the appearance of short teeth, we offer a Smile Alignment procedure to lengthen the teeth by removing and reshaping the gum tissue. This will result in a more natural and symmetrical smile.

# 8 Orthodontics and Periodontics
Teeth that are crooked are difficult to keep clean, do not take their share of the biting load and may be unsightly. Minor tooth movement may correct these problems and create a healthy environment. In some cases, orthodontically moving a tooth may actually reduce a pocket depth and lessen the need for periodontal surgery.

# 10 Scaling and Root Planing
The heart of all periodontal therapy is removal of calculus and plaque from the tooth . Removing debris from the crown of the tooth is often referred to as scaling , while root planing (debridement) referred to cleaning the tooth below the gum. This procedure is also referred to as a deep cleaning .

# 10 Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning treatment performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Contact our Office

Need to learn more about periodontal services and procedures? Talk with our staff today! Or to schedule a consultation appointment, call us at:

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700