Periodontics in Yonkers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately half of the population over the age of 30 has some form of chronic gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease begins as gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, you may experience symptoms such as swollen, red or bleeding gums. Luckily for you, gingivitis is easily reversed if caught in the early stages. If you don’t have your gingivitis treated, the infection will become worse and will lead to your gums moving away from your teeth. This leads to your ligaments and bones, which hold your teeth in place, becoming destroyed. When this happens, your teeth will become loose and may even fall out.

A periodontist is a gum disease expert. Periodontists complete up to three years of additional training after they complete dental school. This period of training includes gum disease management, dental implants and cosmetic procedures. Some of the cosmetic procedures periodontists can do include lip repositioning and gum contouring.

If you are in need of a periodontist in Yonkers, give our office a call at (914) 357-8917. We will schedule you an appointment with one of our skilled periodontists.

What Does a Periodontist Do?

Periodontists are specialists in both diagnosing and treating any condition that involves the gum tissue. Did you know that the word periodontics comes from two Greek words? Those words are “perio” and “dontic.” “Perio” is translated as “around” and “dontic” is translated as “tooth.”

Below are some of the periodontal services that a gum disease specialist provides:

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Plaque is a substance that forms on the teeth after a person eats or drinks. Plaque contains a type of bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis can help to remove plaque. If plaque is left to build up on the tooth, it will begin to attack the tooth’s enamel. This leads to cavities. Left untreated, plaque will eventually move to the soft gum tissue. Advanced gum disease can attack the jawbone, leading to tooth loss and other severe issues.

Dental Implant Placement

A dental implant is a natural in appearance replacement for a tooth. These long-lasting tooth replacement options are embedded within the jawbone, mimicking the roots of a tooth. They are placed in order to provide a strong foundation for crowns, bridges and dentures. An additional benefit of dental implants is that they help to preserve your jawbone. They do this by keeping your facial proportions in place, keeping your teeth from moving out of position, and lessening premature wrinkling around your mouth.

Crown Lengthening

Did you know that the part of the tooth that exists above the gum line is called a crown? Some people need to have a procedure done that lengthens the crown. This procedure lessens some of the gum that exists around the tooth so that a greater portion of the crown shows. This is done in order to make a tooth longer so that a crown can fit over the tooth. It is also done to show more of the tooth so that dentures or brackets for braces can be attached. This procedure is also done for cosmetic purposes, such as evening out the gum line or removing excess gum tissue.

Gummy Smile Surgery

Some of our patients come to our periodontics office in order to have the gum tissue around their teeth removed. This is because they naturally have more gum tissue than other people do. This can make the teeth look shorter than they are supposed to look. In instances where this is the case, periodontists perform a procedure called gum contouring. This procedure shapes the gums to make them have an even gum line. It also exposes more of the teeth so that the smile appears to be more flattering.

Soft Tissue Graft/Gum Graft

In cases where the gums have receded to the extent that the tooth’s root is exposed, a gum disease specialist will perform a gum grafting surgery to cover the exposed area. This surgery also assists in reducing further recessing of the gums and in reducing your risks for bone loss or decay.

Oral Pathology and Oral Cancer Diagnosis

The leading cause of oral cancer in America is HPV infection. Smoking is also a cause of oral cancer. With the rate of oral cancer on the rise, it is important you receive regular screenings. Our periodontists can take samples from your gum tissue and send them off to a lab to determine whether or not you have oral cancer. Depending on your results, he or she will then talk to you about possible methods of treatment you can pursue.

No matter what kind of treatment you decide to pursue, our team of professionals will ensure that you remain completely comfortable throughout your procedure. Our gum disease expert is also trained in the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), as well as in other forms of sedation. During your initial consultation, our team will discuss methods of sedation with you.

Call Us to Schedule Your Appointment with a Periodontist in Yonkers

If you’ve been experiencing any issues with your gums, don’t put off receiving treatment. Pick up the phone and call our periodontists at Saw Mill Dental right away at (914) 357-8917. We look forward to providing you with the answers you seek when it comes to periodontics in Yonkers.