Dentistry in Arlington Heights

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is usually performed after the dentist has diagnosed some periodontal disease. The procedure may be performed under local anesthetic with an ultrasonic scaler, which reaches below the gum line and into the affected pocket to remove bacteria and the toxins they release. Afterwards, we will plane the root surface so that your gum can reattach to the tooth. Depending on the severity of the case, scaling and root planing may not cure the affected pockets, and further periodontal treatment may be needed.

Periodontal surgery

Periodontal surgery is usually reserved for patients who have gum problems that cannot be addressed by more conservative treatment. One sign of periodontal problems is excessively large pockets between the gum and the teeth. Patients cannot normally keep these pockets free of the bacteria that causes gum disease and periodontal deterioration. We can use various surgical techniques to correct this problem. Antibiotics and a mild pain reliever may help combat infection and reduce swelling. Following the procedure, a program of good oral hygiene and proper homecare will help maintain the new, healthy smile. Patient recall appointments with the hygienist will be scheduled at shorter intervals.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium inserts surgically placed into the jawbone, and then allowed to integrate into the bone. This process may take up to six months. An artificial tooth is either screwed or cemented onto the dental implant. Patients enjoy dental implants because they look and function like natural teeth. Patients must follow the proper homecare instructions and visit the dentist at regularly to deter dental implant failure or fracture.

Crown Lengthening

Your dentist or periodontist may also recommend crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible or to enhance your appearance. Perhaps your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored. It also provides a more solid tooth on which to anchor the restoration of choice.

Connective tissue (Soft Tissue) grafting

Soft tissue grafts are used to replace missing thick tissue (keratinized gingiva), which has worn away and minimized and/or arrested the progression of recession. A connective tissue graft is a procedure where tissue is taken from the undersurface of the palatal tissue (roof of the mouth) via tiny incisions. The tissue can then be used to not only restore missing thick keratinized gum tissue, but also to cover exposed roots of the teeth.

Bone grafting

Bone grafting involves the replacement or augmentation of the bone around the teeth. Bone grafting is performed to augment bone to permit implant placement or to enhance the aesthetics of a missing tooth site in the smile zone. When one loses a tooth, as in an extraction, the surrounding bone collapses. To preserve this bone for future implant placement or for aesthetics, a bone graft is used.

Gingivectomy

Periodontal surgery that removes and reforms diseased gum tissue or other gingival buildup related to serious underlying conditions is known as a gingivectomy.

Other periodontal procedures include:

• Blood draw performed to enhance grafting procedures
• Cosmetic gingival contouring
• Surgical procedure to reshape gingival tissues