Dr. Patel
Periodontist
The training that Dr. Patel has received has given him a wide range of experience in treating advanced periodontal disease, complicated extractions of teeth, placement of dental implants, bone regenerative procedures, as well as in periodontal plastic surgery/cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Pooria Fallah
Periodontist
Dr. Fallah received his DDS degree in 2009 and subsequently completed his residency program in Periodontics at New York University College of Dentistry in 2015. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics in 2016 and has been practicing periodontics in private practice in Dallas since 2015.
Dr. Husain
Periodontist
Dr. Husain is proficient in dental surgical procedures involving bone and soft tissue grafting, dental implant placement, minimally invasive LANAP and other laser procedures, and treating chronic periodontal diseases.
Dr. Li
Periodontist
Dr. Li is a Board-Certified periodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. A Diplomate is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty, demonstrating a comprehensive mastery of all phases of periodontal disease and treatment and in the placement of dental implants.
Dr. Sheppard
Periodontist
Dr. Sheppard has been in private practice since 2004. She takes pride in providing her patients with the highest quality care using the latest technology and using a patient centered approach. In 2005, she co-founded The Northwest Society of Women Dentists, an organization for women who were often also business owners.
Types of Gum Disease
In order to avoid developing gum disease, it is important to understand what gum disease is, the different severities of gum disease, and what steps are needed to address this issue.
The three primary stages of gum disease are as follows:
- Gingivitis: This is the earliest and most common type of periodontal disease, and occurs when plaque builds around the gums. Typical symptoms of gingivitis include puffy, irritated, or swollen gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Treatment typically involves a deep cleaning.
- Early Periodontitis: If the patient is not treated during the gingivitis stage, early periodontitis can occur. Typical symptoms include gums that bleed, mild to moderate bone loss, and plaque that develops below the gum line. When patients have reached this stage, additional treatments may be required, such as deep cleaning, laser therapy, or a combination of both.
- Advanced Periodontitis: The most advanced level of periodontal disease, advanced periodontitis is characterized by pockets that develop between the teeth and gums, and eventually in the jawbone, which results in jawbone loss. Treatment options at this stage include deep cleaning, laser therapy, and/or a bone graft.
Diagnosing/Treating Gum Disease
To determine if you have gum disease, your periodontist will measure the space between your teeth and gums. Patients who have pockets that are deeper than the average depth of three millimeters or less will be considered candidates for treating gum disease. If you are a candidate, your periodontist will suggest a follow up appointment, during which several different treatment options may be recommended. The most common types of treatment options for treating gum disease include:
- Deep cleaning: Provided the gum disease is in its early stage, a deep cleaning may be sufficient to reverse the damage that has occurred and reduce the likelihood of additional damage from occurring
- Scaling and root planing: A common method used to address periodontal disease. Scaling refers to the process of removing tartar that has accumulated, either on your teeth or below your gumline. Planing involves the removal of tartar below the root line.
- Surgery: For more advanced cases of gum disease, it may be necessary to perform surgery on the gums, along with regenerative procedures. Doing so can restore lost tissue and eliminate the disease.
- Bone graft: The procedure involves placing grafting material (bone from a human or animal donor or synthetic material) in the affected area to the affected teeth, which is then covered by a collagen membrane to promote growth, protect the graft, and potentially save the teeth.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease is typically not caught in the early stages because symptoms of the disease occur so gradually. Contact your periodontist if you notice any of the following symptoms that are commonly associated with gum disease:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Receding gums
- Periodontal abscess
- Loose teeth
- Halitosis
- Swollen or red gums
- Sensitivity
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease from developing is to practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once daily, and ideally every time you brush your teeth. It is also important to practice proper brushing and flossing techniques and continue scheduling regular checkups with your periodontist every six months or even more frequently, for patients who suffer from
advanced periodontal issues. By maintaining a consistent oral health care routine, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing additional periodontal issues, and will continue enjoying a bright and healthy smile for many years to come.
Cost of Treating Gum Disease
There are a range of factors that can impact the final cost of treating gum disease, such as the severity of your case, any associated procedures that will need to be performed prior to or along with this treatment, as well as your insurance plan. Our team is committed to helping you complete necessary paperwork, schedule appointments, and answer any questions you have concerning billing. For patients who have insurance plans, we do request you submit medical/dental insurance information with your New Patient Paperwork to expedite this process.
Please note: to reduce costs to our patients while still ensuring that we can provide the highest level of care, we have the following financial polices:
- We accept Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
- Full payment is due after services rendered
- Payment plan options are available via www.CareCredit.com
PERIODONTAL SERVICES
To determine if you have gum disease, your periodontist will measure the space between your teeth and gums. Patients who have pockets that are deeper than the average depth of three millimeters or less will be considered candidates for treating gum disease. Depending upon how severe your case is, your periodontist will suggest a follow up appointment, during which several different treatment options may be recommended.
Schedule Your Visit Today
At ROOT™ Periodontal and Implant Center, we take your health, confidence, and teeth seriously. Scheduling regular visits to maintain your teeth and gums will actively improve your overall health, and maintaining a bright and strong healthy smile will do wonders for your self-confidence. In addition to recognizing the importance of your oral health, we also understand the importance of your time, which is why we are committed to making every visit to our clinic as efficient as possible.
If you would like to learn more about treatment options for gum disease, schedule an appointment or consultation today with our friendly, helpful staff, who can be reached at the following locations: Carrollton: (972) 242-7603; Flower Mound: (972) 434-8050; Denton: (940) 566-7021, or Frisco: (469) 489-ROOT. We look forward to serving you and your smile and having you on your way as soon as possible!