Understanding Treatments for Serious Gum Recession
While minor gum recession can be treated by your dentist with deep cleaning and antibiotics, serious gum recession often requires oral surgery. When there is a loss of bone and very deep gum pockets, gum surgery becomes necessary to address the pain and damage caused by acute gum recession.
Three Primary Treatments for Serious Gum Recession
- Pocket Depth Reduction
This procedure involves a deep cleaning of the affected area. The periodontist folds back the gum tissue to perform tooth scaling and root planing, removing tartar and plaque buildup around the tooth. After cleaning, the gum tissue is repositioned, effectively eliminating or significantly reducing the depth of gum pockets. - Regeneration
Similar to pocket depth reduction, this treatment also addresses bone loss due to gum recession. A regenerative agent, such as graft tissue, membranes, or tissue-stimulating proteins, is applied to the area. The gum tissue is repositioned and stitched down. Over time, the regenerative agent promotes the rebuilding of lost bone and tissue, resulting in healthier gum structures. - Soft Tissue Graft
In this procedure, healthy gum tissue is transplanted to the affected area to protect exposed tooth roots. The graft is typically sourced from the patient’s own mouth, such as the roof of the mouth or nearby gum tissue. The transplanted tissue covers the exposed root, protecting it from infection and further damage.
Prevention Is Key
To avoid the need for oral surgery, prioritize good oral hygiene habits. Brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and professional cleanings. Early intervention is essential—talk to your dentist if you notice any signs of gum recession or have concerns about preventing it.
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our Shreveport dental office!
What to Expect with Oral Surgery
If oral surgery is in your future, you might be worried about what’s to come. The way to relieve that worry is to talk to your oral surgeon. Your oral surgeon has the experience and knowledge necessary to guide you through whatever concerns or questions you may have. Here is a guide to some of those questions and answers:
How will I handle pain following surgery?
In many cases, you will have been prescribed narcotic pain relievers. If you are taking narcotics, take them only as recommended and do not mix them with over-the-counter pain relievers or alcohol. Driving while on narcotics is dangerous and can have serious consequences for you personally and for others. If you weren’t prescribed any medication, use anti-inflammatory analgesics such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.
What will happen to my stitches in the days following surgery?
Some stitches will be designed to dissolve over time and will not need to be removed. Others will not come out on their own and will need to be removed at a subsequent appointment. In many cases, losing a single stitch or two in the days following surgery isn’t serious; however, for bone-graft treatments, it is problematic and you should contact your surgeon immediately.
Can I eat normally after surgery?
Immediately after surgery, when you’re still experiencing any mouth or tongue numbness, don’t eat anything. You could mistake the soft tissues of your mouth for food and do serious damage to your mouth without realizing it. After your numbness subsides, consume soft foods of tepid temperatures for several days to allow for healing. Talk to your surgeon to learn when you can resume normal eating patterns as dictated by your particular surgery.
What other tips do you have?
Stay hydrated and rest as much as possible to facilitate complete and quick healing. Call your surgeon if you have excessive bleeding or pain that doesn’t lessen with time. Be aware of signs of infection (swelling, redness, odorous or sour discharge) at the surgical site and seek professional care when needed.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Michael Woolbert & Dr. William Hall is accepting new patients from Shreveport and the surrounding area.
Oral surgery can address a range of issues that go beyond simple tooth extraction, and the need for surgery isn’t always due to poor dental hygiene. Some causes of oral surgery, such as injuries, birth defects, or cancer, cannot always be predicted or avoided. Thanks to advances in oral surgery, especially in restoration and reconstruction techniques, many issues can be successfully treated. Below are some common reasons oral surgery may be recommended:
Tooth Loss:
To replace missing teeth, dental implants require oral surgery to insert a titanium implant into the jawbone. Implants provide a secure and permanent solution, offering a natural appearance compared to dentures and bridges. Candidates for implant surgery typically need to have adequate bone density, good overall health, and a commitment to proper oral hygiene. After healing, a crown is placed on the implant to complete the restoration.
Impacted Teeth:
One of the most common oral surgeries is the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. This typically happens during the late teen to early adult years when the wisdom teeth cannot erupt properly. Removing them prevents future dental issues.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder):
TMJ disorders affect the joint where the skull and lower jaw meet, leading to facial pain, headaches, jaw popping, and other symptoms. While some cases can be managed with splints, physical therapy, and medications, more severe cases may require surgery to correct the problems.
Injuries:
Trauma from car accidents, sports injuries, or other incidents can lead to broken facial bones or jaws. Oral surgery may be required to realign the jaws, wire the bones together, and repair the injury to restore normal function and comfort.
Cleft Repairs:
Birth defects, such as cleft lips or palates, are corrected through oral surgery. This typically involves a series of surgeries over several years to improve both the appearance and function of the affected areas.
Biopsy:
Oral surgery may also be necessary to remove cancerous tumors or lesions in the jaws or facial bones. This is especially critical when the cancer involves joints or muscles, as these areas are essential for normal facial movement and function.
If you have just completed professional teeth whitening treatment, you probably want to protect your investment and extend the life of your shiny, bright smile. To enhance your healthy new smile and keep it white and bright, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines:
Do follow good oral hygiene practices by brushing and flossing regularly after every meal.
Don’t drink colored beverages such as red wine, coffee, cola or tea immediately after treatment, and continue to avoid them whenever possible to prevent staining.
Do drink beverages with a straw when you must drink dark-colored beverages to prevent the liquid from touching your teeth and causing stains.
Don’t eat pigment-intense foods for several weeks after whitening. Berries, dark chocolate, soy sauce and other foods with a dark color can leave residue that leads to staining.
Do use a gentle tooth whitening mouthwash after eating to rinse away food and debris that could cause staining and to keep your breath fresh.
Don’t wear lipstick or colored gloss for at least one week after whitening treatment, as your teeth are still sensitive immediately after treatment and lipstick can leave pigments that will stain your teeth.
Do use a whitening toothpaste to increase the results and aid in the longevity of your treatment.
Don’t forget to eat a healthy diet and drink water to keep your teeth strong and vibrant.
A whiter smile can brighten your face and take years off your looks. By following these easy recommendations, you can extend the life of your whitening treatment and enjoy the benefits of your bright, new smile.
Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Shreveport dental office now and experience personalized care.
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is taking care of your oral health throughout your life. Practicing a consistent dental hygiene routine and maintaining regular visits to your general dentist are the best ways to increase your chances of a beautiful, healthy smile.
General dentists focus on preventive care and treating minor problems before they have a chance to worsen into serious issues. Even if you regularly brush and floss your teeth, plaque and tartar can be quick to develop. A dentist has the necessary tools and training to remove damaging deposits before they harm your smile. In addition to professional cleanings and examinations, most general dentists fill cavities, perform root canals, whiten teeth, and even offer additional cosmetic dental procedures like dental implants or veneers.
One of the main reasons for routine examinations is to identify various problems. One common issue that you want your general dentist to catch early is gum disease. When it is treated soon after it starts, you are more likely to avoid bone deterioration or tooth loss. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and can be handled by your dentist with simple techniques. If it advances to periodontitis, that’s when bone or tooth loss become a possibility and more invasive procedures like scaling or root planing may be required.
Once you make your dental appointment, which is typically recommended every six months, make sure you keep your scheduled visit. Many patients fall victim to scheduling appointments and then cancelling, not realizing how important seeing your general dentist can be. If you have dental insurance, you can even use your dental benefits for examinations and treatments. This office accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana, MetLife, and Cigna.
Choose a qualified general dentist and establish a long-term relationship now, so that you can enjoy your healthy and appealing smile for years to come.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Shreveport dental office.
A toothache can make your life miserable. It may involve terrible tooth pain as well as headaches, sleeplessness, and difficulty eating. A trip to the dentist’s office is a must if you want relief. An examination might reveal that you need root canal treatment to save your tooth and eliminate your symptoms.
Severe tooth decay, a faulty crown, repeated tooth procedures or trauma are common causes of tooth damage. These issues can also lead to infection of your tooth’s pulp, which is on the inside of your tooth. Also called endodontic therapy, root canal treatment focuses on getting rid of the damaged tooth pulp. If infection is present, it is also removed. The root canal is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and then the area is filled with a special material called gutta-percha. Finally, the tooth is typically restored with a dental crown to provide maximum protection from future damage.
Some of the benefits you can expect from root canal treatment include chewing with normal biting force and sensation, maintaining natural tooth appearance, protecting other teeth from excessive wear, and avoiding a troublesome gap in the smile. In as little as one or two appointments, these benefits can be achieved without a great deal of discomfort. Innovations in technology have made the experience of root canal treatment usually no more painful or difficult than simply getting a dental filling. Once root canal treatment is complete, the tooth can last a lifetime with regular checkups and proper oral hygiene.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Michael Woolbert & Dr. William Hall is accepting new patients from Shreveport and the surrounding area.
