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.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease: Perioscope
Gum disease causes pockets to form in the area where the gums have detached from your tooth, due to calculus accumulation. To determine if you have gum disease, we will use a thin probe to measure the depth of your gum pockets. A healthy gum pocket should not be deeper than 4mm. Pockets that are between 4-6mm in depth indicate early to moderate periodontitis, and pockets deeper than 7mm indicate severe periodontitis. If gum disease has developed and is not corrected, the bacterial plaque and calculus will continue to grow, which in turn will cause your gums to detach and eventually cause the supporting bone to deteriorate, eventually leading to tooth loss.
If periodontal disease is present, a deep teeth cleaning or scaling and root planing procedure will be recommended in order to remove the bacterial plaque and calculus that has accumulated on the root surfaces of your teeth, below your gum line, and address rough areas, abrasions, or pits to make it more difficult for plaque to accumulate and give your gums an opportunity to reattach to the cleaned root surface.
While performing this procedure, we will utilize advanced technologies like the perioscope to ensure you receive a thorough deep cleaning. The perioscope monitor allows us to closely visualize and examine deeply buried deposits of calculus that would not otherwise be detectable. The perioscope also allows us to do more effective root planing by displaying the root surface in far greater detail, which lets us perform a more thorough removal of deposits. Because we can now identify and remove these deposits, we can effectively correct moderate and even severe cases of periodontal disease that would otherwise require surgical intervention. In fact, the perioscope allows us to achieve even better results than surgery, which provides a detailed and thorough examination of your teeth.
Before beginning the deep teeth cleaning/scaling and root planing procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you do not experience any discomfort and dental sedation if necessary. Once you are sufficiently numb and comfortable, the deep teeth cleaning will begin with the removal of plaque and calculus that has accumulated on the surfaces of your teeth and below your gum line. We frequently offer dental sedation for this procedure to help with patient comfort, since the procedure can be a longer one. Next, we will remove rough areas, abrasions, or pits to inhibit plaque from embedding and multiplying on the tooth root surface and to enhance your gum’s ability to reattach. With the support of the periodontal endoscope, we can remove the bacterial plaque and calculus.
How to Avoid Gum Disease
Although performing a deep cleaning utilizing the perioscope will halt the progression of gum disease, it is important to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits to prevent gum disease from returning. This includes brushing and flossing daily and scheduling regular checkups every three to six months. These regular examinations allow us to monitor the health of your gums and teeth and address issues as early as possible. If you have generally healthy gums and teeth, you only require a checkup every six months, or if you are at a greater risk of developing gum disease, you may need periodontal maintenance every three to four months.
Periodontal Endoscope: Cost to Treat
The cost of the periodontal endoscope used as part of your deep cleaning will be factored into the total cost of whatever procedure you are having performed. Additional factors that will determine the total cost are whether dental sedation is necessary, how many visits are required, and whether the procedure that is performed is covered under your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit and any follow-up appointments that may be necessary.
If you are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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.
Patients who are suffering from periodontal disease may experience gum recession. If this issue is not treated at an early stage, more complicated and serious problems can develop, as gum recession creates greater exposure of your natural teeth, which creates opportunities for bacteria to build. To address this issue, patients have historically had gum grafting, which involves removing tissue from unaffected areas and then grafting this tissue to the areas that have been affected. This is an effective method for addressing the issue of receding gums. There is a newer and increasingly popular approach to treating receding gums, which is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST).
Laser gum surgery is an advanced treatment option that efficiently and painlessly treats gum disease through the use of a laser. One of the unique aspects of laser gum surgery is that the laser pinpoints and kills bacteria without damaging surrounding gum tissue. Unlike other treatment options, which involve cutting and suturing, patients who have laser gum surgery and treatment performed will have a much quicker healing process.
Patients who have gum recession may consider having a gum graft, a common oral surgical procedure that thickens existing gums and/or covers a tooth root surface in order to prevent further recession from occurring. Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is due to periodontal disease. A gum graft will not only improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile but will also reduce your risk of developing additional issues.
Patients who have an imbalanced ratio between their visible gums and teeth have what is commonly referred to as a gummy smile. Gummy smiles can be caused by a range of factors, including bone deterioration, periodontal disease, or genetic predisposition. Regardless of the reason, patients often feel self-conscious about their appearance and will seek to improve this issue by having a gum contouring procedure performed.
Scaling and Root Planing (also known as deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning) is 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 refers to the removal of tartar below the root line. When bacteria are allowed to settle on your teeth for too long, it will eventually mineralize and turn into tartar. The primary difference between plaque and tartar is that plaque can be removed by conventional brushing methods, whereas tartar will need to be removed through the efforts of your periodontist. It is important to schedule regular deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning appointments to prevent periodontal disease from developing.
Schedule Your Visit Today
At ROOT™ Periodontal and Implant Center, we take your oral health seriously. That is why we provide expert services that are intended to return stability, strength, and beauty to your oral cavity. Whether it be through periodontal or implant care, we will restore both your smile and confidence.
If you would like to learn more about perioscopy and see if perioscopy is right for you, schedule an appointment for a consultation today. We provide services at the following locations:
Carrollton: (972) 242-7603
Flower Mound: (972) 434-8050
Denton: (940) 566-7021
Frisco: (469) 489-ROOT
We look forward to meeting you and providing you with the expert care you need!