Periodontist in Dallas, TX
Dr. Dean is a board-certified periodontist in the Dallas, TX area. Periodontists focus on spotting, treating, and preventing periodontal disease. They can also preform the surgical placement of dental implants. Dr. Bradley Dean provides expert dental implants periodontistry, replacement teeth services, and more.
Our office focuses on dental implant services and periodontal disease treatments. Hence, our state-of-the-art periodontist office successfully handles all sorts of periodontitis cases.
What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Also referred to as gum disease, it’s a silent disease that many do not know they have. Plaque buildup causes gum disease. This sticky film of bacteria builds up on your teeth due to lack of proper dental care. If left untreated, it can result in early tooth loss.
Gingivitis is the first stage and looks like red and swollen gums that may easily bleed. In more advanced stages, pockets form between the teeth and gums. This allows bacteria to grow and advance to the bone that supports the teeth, leading to eventual tooth loss. Many treatments are here for periodontal diseases. But all share one common goal: to save your teeth!
How do I Prevent Gum Disease?
Your gums support your teeth and play a key role in your whole health and well-being. Routine dental care is the best way to prevent gum disease. Your dental care routine should include daily brushing and flossing. It should also include routine dental visits for professional dental cleanings and exams. During a routine preventive care exam, Dr. Bradley Dean will perform a periodontal disease screening to look for signs of gingivitis and gum disease. He stresses the importance of maintaining healthy gum tissue for optimal dental health.
Symptoms and Signs of Gum Disease
- Swollen, red, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Receding gum line
- Constant bad breath
- Sores or puss coming from in between your teeth
- Changes in your bite
- Loose teeth
- Dentures that do not fit anymore
- Gum Pain
Periodontal Treatments for Gum Disease in Dallas
Periodontal disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in adults. It affects nearly half of the United States population aged 30 years and older. It is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and also contributes to other health problems. Problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Fortunately, there are a number of periodontal therapy treatments available to remove bacteria and plaque from below the gum line.
Deep Cleaning: Scaling and Root Planing
This process is an intensive deep clean of your teeth and gums. The main focus here is to clean out infections around your gum pockets. The deep cleaning process is similar to teeth cleanings by a dental hygienist. However, it requires specific tools and much more attention for accurate results. This type of cleaning is different from a routine dental cleaning because it includes scaling, root planing and polishing.
Scaling removes plaque and tartar. the process includes scraping off the build-up of plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth surface using a metal scaler. While root planing smoothes out the surface of the tooth root where plaque can accumulate. Polishing helps remove stains on the tooth surface. Scaling and root planing are both dental procedures that Dr. Dean uses to remove infections, built-up plaque and calculus from your teeth.
Oral Surgery
Surgery is a treatment for advanced cases of periodontitis in which there is bone loss around teeth. The surgical procedure involves cutting the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. Then, removing the infected tissue, bone, and any other materials that are causing pain or interfering with your oral health.
Depending on the severity of the case, Dr. Dean can complete a treatment in one or two sessions. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove all of your teeth before starting oral surgery. If you have a severe periodontitis diagnosis and other treatments don’t work, oral surgery may be an option for you.
Other common oral surgery procedures include tooth extraction, gum grafts and bone grafting. Patients with a gummy smile or gum recession benefit the most from oral surgery.
Implant Dentistry For Tooth Loss from Periodontal Disease
If you lost a tooth or all your teeth from periodontal disease, you might need dental implants. Dr. Dean specializes in the surgical placement of dental implants. He is also a highly-trained oral surgeon. Dr. Dean can work together with your dentist to perform the surgical phase of your dental implants treatment. He provides sturdy, stable, and reliable tooth replacement options that will give you a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Some dentists can perform the dental implants placement procedure. However, we believe that having a specialist preform this part of your treatment plan can put your mind at ease and lead to a successful outcome. Learn more about our dental implant services here.
Dental Implants offer many cosmetic benefits as well as oral health benefits. The advantages of dental implants include:
- A 95% or higher success rate
- Better preservation of bone structure
- Avoids degradation of healthy teeth (as in conventional bridgework)
- Improves the look of your smile and lower face
- Patients can eat food without restrictions
- No worry of the dental implant slipping or falling out
- Dental implants look exactly like your real teeth
- Superior strength and long life
Frequently Asked Questions
Is periodontal gum surgery painful?
During periodontal surgery, you’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the area. As a result, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. After surgery, as the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some discomfort. The level of discomfort varies between patients and will depend on the complexity of the procedure. Your dentist or periodontist will provide instructions for pain management and recovery.
How long is periodontal recovery?
The recovery time after periodontal treatment can vary depending on the procedure and the patient’s health. On average, gums may take a few weeks to a month or more to heal. For severe periodontal disease, some patients can recover in 5 to 8 weeks with proper treatment. It’s important to follow all post-treatment care instructions from your dentist or periodontist to ensure the best healing process.
Is a periodontist different than a dentist?
Periodontist and a dentist have different roles. While both are dental professionals, a periodontist is a dentist specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum diseases. To become a periodontist, a dentist completes three additional years of training beyond dental school. In contrast, general dentists cover many oral health issues, including routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and basic gum care. General dentists often refer patients to periodontists if the patient needs specialized gum treatment.
Can someone with periodontal disease get implants?
Yes, a person with a history of periodontal disease can get dental implants. However, the person must bring their gum disease under control before the dental implant procedure. Uncontrolled periodontal disease can lead to bone loss in the jaw, making the dental implant procedure more challenging. Therefore, your dentist or periodontist will first want to treat the periodontal disease. They may need to perform bone grafting before proceeding with the dental implant.
Does medical insurance cover a periodontist?
Whether your dental or medical insurance covers a periodontist depends on your insurance plans. Some dental insurance plans do cover periodontal treatments. However, medical insurance typically does not cover dental procedures, including those performed by a periodontist. It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to understand what they cover under your plan.
What does a periodontist do for receding gums?
A periodontist may recommend a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing for receding gums. This procedure removes plaque and tartar buildup. If the recession worsens, a periodontist may recommend surgical procedures such as gum grafts. They use gum grafts to restore the gum line. Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene can help prevent further problems.
Schedule A Dental Implant Consultation
Dr. Dean offers periodontics services and dental implant options in his Dallas, TX, dental office. Services include teeth in a day, removable and fixed dentures, All-on-four, and implant-secured bridges. To meet Dr. Dean and discuss your periodontal therapy needs, request an appointment online or give us a call today.