Our Goal

Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality of care in a compassionate and safe environment. In order to do this, we use the most current periodontal procedures, instruments, medications, and sterilization techniques.

We want you to be completely informed of your condition and will answer any questions that you may have regarding your treatment and care.

Sterilization

We know that preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, herpes, hepatitis and even the cold virus is critical and our team takes sterilization very seriously. We use extensive sterilization procedures, going well beyond those recommended by the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control.

We use barrier techniques such as disposable masks and gloves and replace them with every new patient. Each piece of fixed operatory equipment is wiped-down with antibacterial solution prior to every clinical procedure. Sterile water delivery systems are utilized. We use autoclave sterilization for all instruments prior to dental examination and treatment. You can be assured that our staff has been specifically trained on sterilization procedures and their importance.

Patient Comfort

While no dental procedure is 100% comfortable, we go to great lengths to minimize any discomfort you might feel. We use some of the latest techniques to provide you with the most comfortable experience possible.

To help make your experience pleasant, we provide a TV with DVD player across from the dental chair and headphones with a wide variety of music. Additionally, we offer refreshments and flavored ice chips.

Many of our patients comment after treatment that it was surprisingly comfortable with little after-procedure discomfort.

Pre-medication

Patient comfort is one of the most important aspects of care. Different patients have different needs for pain and anxiety control medication. Depending upon the procedure and your wishes, there are many medications we can prescribe.

Injections of Anesthesia

In the past, injections of dental anesthesia were more likely to be painful. We have recognized this and take extra care when preparing a patient for anesthetic. We use a topical ointment on the gum tissue first, and then administer the injection very slowly and precisely to reduce the burning sensation that you might experience. These techniques ensure that patients have minimal, if any, discomfort during this portion of care.

Conscious Sedation & Nitrous Oxide

For those patients who would feel more comfortable with conscious sedation, we offer both oral sedation and nitrous oxide analgesia. Either one of these techniques will make you feel relaxed and at ease. Although you will be awake, you will not be aware of your surroundings.

Conscious sedation can allow you to remain calm during dental procedures, with very minimal recollection of your visit. We are happy to let you know that we have a registered nurse on staff who has had extensive training and is licensed to provide either one of these options.

Special Equipment and Procedures

We strive to stay on the leading edge of periodontal techniques and equipment. In order to do this, we engage in a great deal of continuing education. We also utilize advanced equipment in our office. This includes Panoramic Radiography to be able to more precisely diagnose and treat periodontal disease. It also allows us to accurately and precisely place dental implants.

Basic Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that gets under the gums and into the bone around your teeth. This infection must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There are generally two accepted treatments for this condition depending upon the severity of your infection.

Upper Level Infection Removal

The upper level of infection in the pockets around your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This procedure is called, “Scaling and Root Planing”, “Phase One Treatment” or “Initial Therapy”. It is done under local anesthesia and is quite different from the routine dental cleaning or “deep cleaning” that is traditionally done in the general dentist's office.

Lower Level Infection Removal

If your infection has spread into the bone that supports your teeth, and is below the level that can be reached in “Upper Level Infection Removal”, then a surgical procedure must be performed to retract the gums and remove the lower level infection.

Crown Lengthening

Before placing a crown, your general dentist must first prepare your tooth. Sometimes there is not enough tooth structure above the gum line to accept a new crown. “Crown lengthening” provides more tooth structure for your crown. This ensures a more stable crown with less resulting gum irritation.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently recontours excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural tooth.

Aesthetic Crown Lengthening

Your smile is often the first thing people notice when meeting you. If your teeth appear small when smiling, it can look unattractive. This is known as a "gummy" smile. An uneven gum line can also be distracting. In many cases, multiple-tooth crown lengthening can be done to give your teeth a longer and more attractive appearance.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently recontours excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural teeth.

Bone Grafting

Your jawbone is what supports your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, periodontal disease dissolves parts of your jawbone. This bone loss can eventually lead to the loss of your teeth. The first step of treatment is to remove the periodontal disease which halts the bone loss. Then we repair the damage that has occurred. In many cases, various bone grafting techniques can be used to re-grow some of the jawbone that was lost.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently opens the area. He or she then removes the periodontal disease, repairs the bone damage and fills in the damaged area with bone grafting material.

Aesthetic Soft Tissue Grafting

Longer teeth or exposed tooth roots can look unsightly. They can also increase your sensitivity to heat, cold or sweets. In some cases, gum tissue can be placed in these areas.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic, gently prepares the area and then places a gum tissue graft.

Antibiotic Treatment

Some localized topical antibiotics can enhance your periodontal treatment. In certain isolated circumstances, placement of antibiotic medicine can also reduce infection. This antibiotic therapy is always done in conjunction with scaling and deep cleanings. This procedure is more often used for patients who have had previous periodontal repair therapy.

Procedure: Topical antibiotics, in various forms, are precisely placed in isolated areas to improve healing after the localized area is scaled and deep cleaned. The results are closely monitored during follow-up maintenance visits.

Aesthetic Ridge Augmentation

Sometimes after an extraction there will be a sunken spot or concave appearance in your gum line. This looks unsightly and can also jeopardize the appearance of a bridge that goes over the area. Grafting material can be inserted under the gum to fill out this depression.

Ridge augmentation can also be used to build up an area of bone so that a dental implant can be placed.

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently opens the area. He or she then fills the sunken area with grafting material.

In Conclusion

Every procedure is done with your comfort and safety in mind. We work closely with your general dentist to ensure you get the best possible results in accordance with their wishes. Please feel free to ask questions before, during, or after any of these procedures. Dr. Emerson and his team will be happy to answer.

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