At Touro Dental Health, our Periodontic services promote optimal gum health. We address issues such as gum disease, periodontal inflammation, and gum recession. At our state-of-the-art, 32,000 square foot Westchester, NY, facility, you’ll work with our team of expert periodontists and dental students. We’re committed to keeping your smile and mouth healthy. Call 914-594-2700 to schedule an appointment.
What Will My First Appointment Look Like?
During your initial appointment at Touro Dental New York, one of our periodontists will perform a periodontal screening as part of your oral exam. If you have signs of gum disease or other complications, you’ll be referred for a full periodontal exam. If treatment is necessary, you’ll be able to discuss with our periodontist what your treatment options are and next steps. Learn more about your first appointment.
Rest assured that you’ll always have the final say on whether to go through with a procedure, and we aim for minimally invasive care whenever possible. While our dental students are here to learn, we are 100% patient-centered. This means we only perform procedures that are truly necessary, not as a teaching demonstration.
What Does a Periodontist Do?
A periodontist focuses on treating the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. This includes preventive measures to ensure gum health, as well as diagnosing and treating disease. As the gum and bone structure relate to a patient’s ability to have dental implants, our periodontists also perform pre-implant procedures such as bone grafting and sinus elevation. Our periodontists are board-certified in both periodontics and oral implantology.
What is the Difference Between a Dentist and Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist with additional training focused on treating gum and bone tissue, and oral implantology. As periodontics is a specialized field, only about 3% of dentists are periodontists. General dentists often refer patients to a periodontist when they have complex issues involving their gums or bone. This can include advanced gum recession or bleeding gums.
Why Might I Be Referred to See a Periodontist?
A general dentist may refer you to see a periodontist if they notice unhealthy gum or bone tissue. These are cases that can’t be resolved with a standard dental cleaning. Excessive gum inflammation, bleeding, or loose teeth are all signs of gum disease that require a visit to the periodontist.
Being referred to see a periodontist isn’t a cause for concern. Periodontists are experts in improving gum and oral health, and it’s best to see a periodontist early on for the best possible outcome. At Touro, you’re in good hands as our team of periodontists and dental specialists can address any oral health challenge.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Today, around 40% of adults over age 30 have at least a mild form of periodontal disease. For men, that number is higher with around 50% of men in this age range showing signs of periodontal disease. Health challenges with gums and the surrounding tissues is common for many adults. These symptoms can lead to potentially serious health concerns as time passes. If you or your dentist notice any of the following symptoms, it may be time to see a periodontist.
- Bleeding Gums - Bleeding gums are a common sign of gum disease. Gums usually bleed because of inflammation caused by plaque buildup.
- Inflamed or Swollen Gums - Inflamed gums are normally caused by bacterial build-up around the teeth. Inflamed gums, known as gingivitis can lead to bone loss around the teeth called periodontitis. Plaque (organized colonies of bacteria) buildup on your teeth lead to this common condition.
- Receding Gums - Receding gums are normally caused by untreated gingivitis. Although receded gums can’t grow back, periodontal treatment can help stop any further recession.
- Deep Pockets Between Teeth and Gums - When gum disease has progressed, deep pockets form between the tooth and gum line, which can lead to further spots for bacteria to thrive.
- Loose or Shifting Teeth - As gum or bone tissue deteriorates, teeth can lose their normal position and start shifting out of place or become loose. This can increase the risk of tooth loss or damage.
Periodontal disease is often associated with other potential health issues in the future. For example, excessive gum inflammation has been linked to increased severity of heart disease and diabetes. This is another reason why it’s so important to see a periodontist if you notice any symptoms.
What Procedures Does a Periodontist Perform?
At Touro, we perform all treatments and forms of periodontal surgery. Here are some of the most common procedures.
Scaling and Root Planning (i.e. Deep Cleaning)
This is our most common periodontal procedure. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning used to treat gum disease. As gums disease progresses, plaque gets trapped in deep pockets in the gums. This requires a more extensive cleaning than your usual visit to the dentist’s office. Scaling involves removing all of this excess plaque. Root planing smooths out the rough surfaces on your tooth root and helps your gums reattach to your teeth.
Periodontal Pocket Reduction
Pockets form as continued inflammation leads to increased bone loss around the teeth. Periodontal pocket reduction is a surgery that reduces pocket depth. This leads to a healthier oral environment where plaque and bacteria have less ability to cause damage. The gum is lifted,tartar is removed from the root surface, and any diseased tissue is removed. After this, the gum flap is sewn back in a different position to reduce the depth of the pocket.
Guided Tissue and Bone Regeneration
Guided tissue regeneration is a procedure that helps repair tissue to better support surrounding teeth. First, the gum is opened to clean out any bacteria, and then a membrane is placed over a bone graft. The bone will then start the process of rebuilding. In around 6 months, new bone and tissue will have grown to keep teeth stable and supported.
Soft-Tissue Grafting
Soft-tissue grafting is a procedure used to help address gum recession. Soft tissue from other parts of the mouth are connected and stitched to the site of gum recession. This promotes natural growth and starts to cover the exposed root of the tooth. Soft-tissue grafting helps to reduce eating discomfort and improves the look of your smile. It can also help prevent further gum and bone loss.
Ridge Augmentation
Ridge augmentation is performed after a tooth extraction or in situations where the ridge has a large depression. This procedure allows periodontists to recreate the natural shape of the jaw and gums. Ridge augmentation is usually done to prepare for a tooth implant or simply for aesthetic reasons.
Why Choose Touro for Your Periodontal Treatment?
At Touro Dental Health NY, we have 8 expert periodontists that rotate and come into the facility at different times of the week. No matter what periodontist is treating you, you’ll be treated with compassion and the utmost care. Our dental students are involved with periodontic work, but any major surgery is performed by an experienced clinician.
Although periodontic care can be expensive compared to a general dentist visit, Touro offers affordable rates without sacrificing on quality. We have all of our specialists under one roof, and there’s always constant collaboration between our different departments. This means you’ll get the most efficient and affordable dental care to resolve your oral health issues.
