Dr. Milman Performs a Variety of Periodontal Procedures.
This page details:
- Periodontics
- Periodontal Disease
- Root Planing
- Maintenance
- Osseous Surgery
- Dental Implants
- Crown Lengthening
- Soft Tissue Grafts
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a well trained specialist who has completed an advanced training program after dental school. Periodontists treat diseases which involve the gums, bone and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal specialists work closely with your general dentist to develop a plan aimed at restoring dental health and preventing future problems. Often this takes the form of a sequential treatment where the periodontist first concentrates on
saving the teeth then the general dentist restores damaged or missing teeth. Both doctors will work with you to maintain fine dental health.
What is Periodontal Disease?
In order that you understand and participate in your periodontal care, it is important that you know some facts about periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease or pyorrhea, is a bacterial infection below the gum line. Like many diseases, it is a silent, painless, progressive disease which can result in abscesses or loosened teeth if left untreated. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in America. Over 50 million Americans wear plastic dentures, the majority of whom lost their teeth due to gum disease. Fortunately, care is available which can save your teeth for a lifetime.
What is Root Planing?
Root planing is a therapeutic procedure designed to remove bacterial deposits from below the gum line. It is a very detailed procedure done with local anesthetic. In many cases, our patients elect to take an oral sedative before
coming to the root planing appointment. By using these medicines, our patients commonly have minimal discomfort and anxiety in conjunction with this treatment.
Usually a registered dental hygienist will perform the majority of this procedure. The doctor will be present at all times and administer any medications if needed.
Four to six weeks after this therapy our patients return for a reevaluation. A reevaluation is an examination to determine the gum disease level after the root planing complete. Often, other forms of gum therapy follow the reevaluation.
Our office is committed to providing excellent services in a caring and comfortable atmosphere. If you have any questions, please ask. We will be happy to assist you.
What is Maintenance?
Maintenance is a periodontal procedure necessary to preserve the long term health of the teeth and the gums. Many dentists feel that it is the most important in-office periodontal treatment. Maintenance combined with
thorough daily oral hygiene is very successful at retaining teeth for many years. Active periodontal therapy without maintenance often results in relapse of gum disease and the need for additional treatment or extractions.
Maintenance consists of a complete charting of periodontal pocket depths, scaling, light root planing, polishing, examination for gum health and oral lesions, and support of good oral hygiene.
In our practice, patients that have adhered to the suggested maintenance interval have rarely lost teeth. If you have any questions about this procedure or anything else, we are here to help you.
