Periodontal Blog - Information from the American Academy of Periodontology

Feeling “antsy” about your dental plan? Sorting through the complexities of insurance plans can be difficult.  However, ultimately, patients are responsible for knowing what their coverage is.  Plan sponsors (usually the employer) are required to provide booklets detailing what is and what is not covered.  The intent of all dental insurance is the same: to help pay a portion of the cost of dental care. Virtually all plans limit the yearly dollar amount that will be [...]

For some people, there is nothing more terrifying than the thought of a trip to the dentist. Even scarier for some is the prospect of replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant. However, as dental implants grow in popularity as a permanent solution to tooth loss, it is time to put nervous minds at ease.    A recent survey conducted informally by the American Academy of Periodontology asked periodontal patients what factors stopped them from [...]

If you had a choice between a set of removable dentures or permanent replacement teeth that look and feel like your own, which would you choose? What if the replacement teeth would also allow you to speak and eat with comfort and confidence, offer you freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures, and allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues? Dental Implants are growing in popularity [...]

Reflect a Beautiful Smile When you smile in the mirror, are you reflecting pearly white teeth?  Since first impressions are everything, make it memorable with a winning smile.  A dazzling “Hollywood smile” will boost your confidence to be successful in job interviews, meeting new people, or feeling confident when smiling.     Periodontal plastic surgery can help you “knock the socks off” of anyone by improving your smile. Cosmetic surgery has become a popular trend since Americans are [...]

What is Scaling and Root Planing? Has your periodontist or dentist recommended scaling and root planing (SRP) to you?  If so, do you wonder exactly what this procedure will accomplish? SRP is a non-surgical treatment usually recommended to most periodontal patients as the first mode of treatment. It is a careful cleaning of the root surfaces below the gum line to remove plaque, toxins and tartar from the root surfaces of the teeth. This procedure is [...]

Have you been told that you may have periodontal disease and need to see a periodontist?  If you have, you probably thought, “What is periodontal disease and why do I need to see a periodontist to have it treated?” The word “periodontal” refers to the gum tissue and bone around the tooth. Periodontal diseases, also known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal [...]

For teeth and health: Super floss to the rescue What’s 18 inches long, costs only $7 a year, is strong enough to have freed prisoners from their cells, yet submissive enough to wrap around your little finger? Give up? The dental floss you should be using every day. However, according to a survey by the American Dental Association (ADA), only about 49 percent of the U.S. population reports using this white wound wonder as often as [...]

One of the easiest ways to help prevent gum disease is to brush and floss every day, so therefore it is very important to know the correct way to take care of your teeth and gums. It does not matter if you brush first or floss first, as long as you do both (twice a day!).   Equipment The most commonly used toothbrush is the manual toothbrush. Another option is the electric toothbrush, which uses electrical [...]

Choosing the Right Tools for Your Teeth and Gums The best way to prevent periodontal diseases and keep your teeth for a lifetime is through brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits that include a periodontal evaluation. However, with so many products filling up the oral hygiene aisle, it is hard to know which option is right for you. A common option is the manual toothbrush; a small brush with a long handle that is used to [...]

A smile is one of the most universally recognizable expressions. Smiling can demonstrate a person’s happiness, confidence, attractiveness, sociability, and sincerity. However, the effects of gum disease or other oral tissue disorders cannot only be dangerous to your health and well-being, but can also have the potential to ruin your smile. Luckily, periodontists are the experts in treating the tissues around the teeth. They have the know-how to treat the effects of gum disease or other [...]