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Periodontics

A very detailed gum assessment will be done for patients at risk of periodontal disease. We will also need to take x-rays to determine the amount of supporting bone that has become affected by gum disease. Commonly you will also be referred for an OPG (orthopantomagram), this will give us a comprehensive overview of your teeth, bone levels and jaw joint.

A small measuring tool, called a periodontal probe, allows us to identify what areas bleed easily or have receded and to measure the depth of the gum pockets alongside the tooth. Pockets are usually shallow when the gums are healthy, but will deepen with gum disease.

When periodontitis is present:

Pocket depth increases due to swelling and inflammation and destructive changes.
The gums may bleed easily when touched, flossed and brushed.
The bone level changes around the tooth.
Your teeth may literally fall out.

Initial deep cleaning phase

This first step is to reduce the gingival inflammation and allow the tooth supporting tissues to recover. For an optimal result, the oral hygiene must be excellent. The initial treatment phase includes the following:

Personalised oral hygiene instruction using techniques and tools adapted to your needs.

Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning). Special instruments are used below the gum line to remove soft and hard deposits from the tooth surface; this is done mainly under local anesthesia and usually requires 2 to 4 appointments.

Maintenance phase

Approximately 12 weeks after the initial cleaning phase is completed, we will re-examine your gums in order to evaluate the healing that has occurred and determine if additional treatment is recommended and plan the latter. Usually we recommend a follow up maintenance program.

Surgery phase

Persistent gum disease may sometimes benefit from gum surgery with or without antibiotics.

IV Sedation

Intravenous Sedation (twilight Sedation) can be offered for periodontal and Implant treatment. This is helpful for patients who prefer to be sedated.

Crown Lengthening

Often when a tooth fractures or has a very large filling you will need a crown-lengthening procedure to restore the tooth to normal function. We will establish proper gingival contours while exposing the complete crown of the tooth.

This procedure involves the re-contouring of the gum and bone surrounding the tooth. This provides your dentist with sufficient tooth to work with in order to place the crown so that it can be retained on the tooth and to allow the gum tissues to be healthy.

Ridge Augmentation and Root Coverage

After a tooth is lost, the gums can shrink, creating a ridge or recession defect and restore lost gum and bone. Different procedures can be used to correct these defects and restore lost gum.

Pre op	12 month post op

Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

Gum tissue provides an important aesthetic framework for the teeth and overall appearance of the mouth. Therefore, fundamental to the smile makeover is the assessment of the gum tissue. Removal of excess tissue, building up of minimal gum tissue, and re-contouring of existing tissues are procedures we routinely perform to provide the best possible framework for your smile.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots.
They can be used to replace a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, support a denture or restore an entire mouth.

Implants are made of titanium. Titanium unlike other metals is not rejected by the body. Titanium is very strong and is biologically inert. To be a candidate for a dental implant your gum tissue should be healthy and there must be enough bone present to support the implant.

We provide dental implant services for all kinds of cases. We diligently maintain a "teamwork" approach in out treatment planning and placement of dental implants. Our team of specialists maintains communication with the referring dentists and creates an environment where everyone plays an important part in the success of each treatment.

Following extraction of a tooth the supporting bone begins to shrink both in height and width. Even if the bone shrinkage has been extreme an implant may still be an option. Depending on the situation, we can usually grow back the lost bone using regenerative procedures so that an implant can be placed. Frequently implants can be placed on the same day that the tooth is removed, reducing the time it takes to give you your new tooth.

Your implant is never neglected once it is placed we will provide you with a maintenance regime that helps care for your implant(s) over the years. This is very important in reducing your risk of gum disease (peri-implantitis) around the implant.

Guided Bone Regeneration

Cross-section of jaw/mandible

Without guided bone regeneration therapy

(No membrane used)

Membrane prevents faster growing tissue and allows slower growing bone cells to regenerate the defect.

With guided bone regeneration therapy

(membrane and bone graft used)

Guided-bone-regeneration---membrane-+-bone-graft-used

The result is adequate bone height for placement of an implant.

We provide:

Replacement of single or multiple teeth, including fully edentulous cases
Complex dental implant planning
Dental implants with associated soft and hard tissue grafting
One or two stage implants
Immediate placement and loading in some cases

Dental implants may be beneficial for the following people:

If you cannot chew comfortably or efficiently with dentures
If you have lost teeth and don't want to wear partial dentures
For those who have lost one or more teeth and want implants rather than a bridge

Patient Implant Flow Chart

When you visit our practice, we want your experience to be comfortable and relaxed. As part of this, it is important that you understand how you will flow through your dental implant appointments.

Your dentist

Periodontist
You will be referred to our practice by your dentist to help with a more specialised area of your dental health. Here we will examine you and then discuss your treatment options and present requirements and costs to you.

Radiograph & CT Scan
These may need to be taken. The results will be sent back to our practice ready for your next appointment.

Periodontist
With all the information now at hand, we can discuss your treatment further, including any more complex areas.

Your dentist or prosthodontist
At this stage of your treatment you are ready to go back to see your Dentist or their preferred Prosthodontist to plan the placement of your crown or denture on top of the implant.

Periodontist
Now you are ready for the placement of your implant and any auxiliary surgeries.

Your dentist or prosthodontist
Your final destination as part of this treatment will be with your Dentist or their preferred Prosthodontist to place your crown or denture over your implant. Maintenance of the gums around your implant is also advised and will be carried out initially by your Periodontist.