Periodontics 2 - North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants

What Should I do About My Periodontal Pockets?

July 13, 2021July 1, 2021 by Admin

If you notice your gums are inflamed or receding, you may be wondering what procedures are available to help shrink periodontal pockets. When gums are loose and no longer fit snug around your teeth, this can cause bacteria and plaque to collect underneath the gums. This can cause severe damage to your gums and teeth, and if not treated can result in unstable teeth, or even tooth loss.

At this point brushing and flossing can not reach the bacteria that is deep down in the infected pockets of your gums, and you need to contact a periodontist. There are a few different procedures available to help shrink or fix periodontal pockets and prevent bacteria or plaque from collecting in the future.

What Treatments Are Available to Treat Periodontal Pockets?

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing helps to deep clean in and around the periodontal pockets. This procedure removes the plaque and bacteria on the tooth and underneath the gum line. Scaling and root planing helps to shrink periodontal pockets and can heal gum tissue. This treatment prevents further infection, and keeps your teeth and gums looking and feeling great. After scaling and root planing most patients notice their gums recede less, and they are restored.

Gingival Flap Surgery

Gingival flap surgery is when the gum tissue is folded back and the diseased tissue is removed. The gum is then secured back into place, and the area is smoothed out to prevent bacteria from entering in the future.

Gingivectomy

This procedure removes overgrown tissue around your teeth by cutting it away. This can help patients clean their teeth easier, and stops bacteria from collecting in the gums.

Gingivoplasty

A gingivoplasty procedure helps to reshape gum tissue around the teeth. During this procedure gum grafts can be used, and stitched into place where the gums have receded.

The treatment needed will depend on the severity of the patient’s periodontal pockets. During our consultation process we perform a detailed evaluation and develop a customized treatment plan. Our doctors will discuss the recommended treatment, and talk to the patient about all of their options to treat their periodontal pockets. Treating gum disease is very important, and can save you a lot of trouble in the future.

At North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, we have years of experience in periodontics, and love to help patients restore their gums and smile. Let our team help you take that first step towards healthier gums with one of our periodontal gum treatments.

Interested in Finding Out More About Periodontal Pocket Treatment Options?

If you are interested in finding out how periodontal pocket treatments can benefit you, please contact North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

What is the Need for a Dental Flap Surgery?

June 17, 2021June 1, 2021 by Admin

If you have receding gums and notice they are not snug around your teeth, you may have been recommended to have gum flap surgery. When our gums recede and become loose around our teeth, bacteria and plaque can enter the area and collect. The bacteria are collected in the pockets of our gums, and if not treated this can cause damage or serious issues.

When you have receding gums normal brushing and flossing is not able to clean out the bacteria that has collected in the pockets. Not treating the issue can lead to unstable teeth, or even tooth loss. Attending your regular visits to our office is important, so we can monitor any issues with your teeth and gums, and provide the necessary treatment.

At North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, we have many periodontal services to help patients with receding gums. Gingival flap surgery is also known as gum flap surgery, and can help restore a patient’s gums. Our skilled doctors have years of experience in periodontics, and we work with each patient to develop a customized treatment plan that fits your needs. We welcome new patients to our practice, and always strive to provide quality and affordable dental care you can trust.

How Does Dental Flap Surgery Work?

When you arrive for your appointment, we will use local anesthetic to numb the area and keep you comfortable and pain free. Our doctor will gently pull back a section of your gum tissue and clean the roots of your teeth. If there is any bone damage, we will repair that as well.

Once the area is cleaned and bacteria free, your gum will be sewn back into place. During the procedure we can smooth or reshape the bone to avoid plaque from collecting in certain areas in the future. Bone grafting can be used to help repair the area, and allow the bone to grow back properly.

How Is the Recovery After Dental Flap Surgery?

After your surgery patients can expect the recovery to be a few days. Our staff will discuss at-home care instructions for you to follow while you heal. If you experience any pain or complications, we encourage you to contact our office right away. Following the instructions is important to avoid complications and allow the are to heal properly.

What Can I Do at Home To Help the Healing Process?

Use over the counter pain medications if needed or prescribed by our doctors.
Follow a soft food diet as you heal. Solid foods can be added back gradually.
Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day to clean out the area and aid in healing.
Avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24-48 hours as this can cause bleeding.
Carefully brush your teeth twice daily.
Do not use a straw. This type of sucking motion can cause issues with healing.
Avoid tobacco products as this can impact the healing process.
Take care of the area and change out the gauze as needed.

Dental flap surgery can help repair damaged gums and bone. This type of procedure has a high success rate, and your gums should become pink and healthy again. Patients may experience some sensitivity after the procedure, and antibiotics may be recommended to prevent infection.

Would You Like To Find Out More?

If you are interested in finding out more about how dental flap surgery may help you, contact North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, and our staff will be happy to schedule your appointment.

Do People with Gum Disease Die Earlier?

May 27, 2021May 15, 2021 by Admin

Gum disease is a serious problem, and if not addressed can cause many different health issues in the future. One of the most important things in life is to take care of your teeth and gums. Our mouths are linked to many other parts of our body, and the health of the oral cavity is important in keeping your body healthy.

At North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, we are proactive about your oral health. Attending regular visits to our office for your exam can prevent serious issues, and allows our team to monitor your oral health. Gum disease should never ben left untreated. If you think you may have gum disease or inflammation, we encourage you to contact our office.

Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Risk of Death?

Gum disease involves inflammation and infection. This requires your immune system to attack the infection and work overtime. The constant inflammation can cause damage to your body over time. Inflammation is dangerous and is linked to cancer and other medical conditions. Medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes are serious, and can develop in patients that suffer from gum disease.

Our teeth are used for eating and allow us to consume nutrition. If you are missing your teeth due to gum disease, you may miss out on the vital nutrition needed to stay healthy. Patients that can not eat normally may resort to foods or drinks that are not as healthy, or have a higher sugar content.

The best way to prolong your life is to keep your body healthy. This starts with prevention and good oral and overall hygiene. Brushing and flossing each day along with visiting your dentist can get in front or any issues with gum disease early, and prevent future medical conditions that may jeopardize your life.

North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants offers many periodontal treatments as well as tooth replacement, and restoration options for our patients. Take charge of your oral health and schedule your consultation today. We will give you a thorough exam, and create a customized treatment plan that works for you.

Our facility provides a comfortable and relaxing setting using state of the art technology. Our doctors have years of experience in periodontics and restoration, and can help restore your smile.

Let North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants help you take charge of your oral health and get you on the road to healthier gums!

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you think you may have the start of gum disease, or would like to find out more information on gum disease treatments, contact North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Can a Water Flosser Heal Periodontal Disease?

May 27, 2021May 1, 2021 by Admin

If you suffer from periodontal disease good oral hygiene is extremely important at home. If a patient has periodontal disease, they may have periodontal pockets which are areas under the gum where bacteria can collect over time. This can cause inflammation, infection, bone, and tooth loss.

At North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, we provide many periodontal services for patients that have periodontal disease. Scheduling a consultation in our office allows our doctors to look at your teeth and gums, and determine the best course of treatment. Depending on the severity of your gums, will determine what treatment is needed.

Can Using a Water Flosser Help?

If you have periodontal disease traditional cleaning methods at home can not reach the bacteria properly. These methods are not able to clean deeply enough where the gums are inflamed. To help your oral hygiene routine at home and treat periodontal disease, using a water flosser can make a difference. Water flossers are easy to use and can reach up to 90% of your gum pocket.

A water flosser can remove plaque and improve your gum health. The flosser has a soft rubber tip that is gentle and does not irritate the gums. If you have severe periodontal pockets, we may recommend gum surgery in our office. Our periodontal pocket reduction procedures help to remove bacteria from those deep pockets, and eliminate areas where bacteria can collect in the future. Our procedures also promote healthy bone growth.

We recommend scheduling a consultation in our office for an exam to determine what treatment is best for you. During your consultation our staff will take x-rays, discuss your health history, and create a customized treatment plan. This allows the patient to ask any questions, and discuss concerns they may have with our team.

If you notice inflammation or have receding gums this should be treated. Gum recession that is left untreated can develop into more serious issues in the future.

Interested in finding Out More?

If you are interested in finding out more about treating periodontal disease at home, or what in-office treatments are available, please contact North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

How Can I Tell if I Need a Periodontist or an Endodontist?

February 23, 2021February 15, 2021 by Admin

Knowing which type of dentist to call can be stressful. Both periodontists and endodontists are oral health specialists, and have been trained as dentists. Each specialist has additional training, and understanding those details can help you decide which is best for you.

Periodontists

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease. This type of dentist specializes in dental implants and other cosmetic procedures. Periodontists receive three additional years of education in the area of periodontal disease and treatment.

Patients that have issues with their gums or tissues in the mouth may need to visit a periodontist. Periodontists look for gum recession, pockets around the teeth, infection, and any issues around the gums. There are special treatment procedures periodontists offer to help patients that have damaged gum tissue. They can remove the damaged tissue to help preserve both your teeth and gums.

Endodontists

An endodontists is another type of dentist that specializes in any issues inside the tooth. This includes the pulp, blood vessels, and tissue. A common treatment done by an endodontist is a root canal. They can remove any infected pulp, and seal the area to help save your tooth. If you have a cracked, broken, or injured tooth, an endodontist is the specialist to visit.

General Dentists

It is important to also know when to see a general dentist and the differences between a general dentist and a specialist. General dentists focus on your teeth and oral health. This includes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various issues. Your general dentist takes care of your cleanings and exams, and can treat cavities. In addition, general dentists can provide veneers, crowns, and other various cosmetic treatments. If patients need specialized treatment the general dentist will typically refer that patient to the proper specialist.

What are My Next Steps in Finding a Specialist?

Talking to your general dentist is important. If you notice you have an issue with your gums, or have had a root canal and are in pain, it may be time to see a specialist. Your general dentist can typically give you a referral to a great specialist in your area that can treat the issue.

If you have been referred to our office we look forward to meeting you. Our patients are our priority and we go above and beyond to provide the highest level of care to all of our patients.

To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists contact our office, and our staff will be happy to assist you.

Is Gum Disease Over If Bleeding Gums Stop?

November 4, 2022July 11, 2020 by Admin

If you have inflammation in your mouth or gums it may be time to consult with a Periodontist. Gum disease is one of the most common disease patients face today. This condition must be treated promptly to avoid receding gums, or even tooth loss.
Attending regular visits to our office can help to prevent gum disease and get in front of any issues with your gums or teeth before they become worse. At North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants we provide many periodontal treatment services for our patients including scaling and root planing.

If you have had previous treatment for gum disease, you may have had great results, and your gums have improved or stopped bleeding. Once you have suffered from gum disease, it is important to keep up with your oral hygiene and gum treatments, because gum bleeding and disease can reoccur. Brushing and flossing around the gums carefully at home help continue to keep your teeth and gum free of disease.

How Do I Care for My Gums and Prevent Gum Disease from Returning?

Routine dental cleanings and periodontal treatment help to get rid of plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease to return or get worse. Scaling and root planing is a great technique to remove plaque and tarter, and also helps to smooth out the surface of your gums. This procedure shrinks periodontal pockets to prevent future bacteria from entering the area. [Insert doctor(s) name], our dentist in [insert city, state] recommend patients come in for their regular dental exams twice a year, and for periodontal treatment at least once a year.

Keeping up with good oral hygiene is the most important part of preventing gum disease. Dr. Mack Coker & Dr. Daniel Coker recommends patients brush twice a day, and floss once a day. If you keep up with your oral hygiene you can reverse gum disease, and never have to deal with painful bleeding gums again. Attending your regular dental exams can help keep an eye on any developing periodontal pockets, and stop gum disease in its tracks.

Staying on top of your general health is also important. This includes avoiding alcohol or smoking, and staying away from sugary drinks. Taking care of both your oral and general health is imperative, to ensure your teeth and gums will last you a lifetime.

Our team at North Houston Periodontics provides a detailed consultation process to examine your teeth and gums and determine if you can benefit from periodontal treatment. Our creates a customized treatment plan to help restore your gums and teeth and keep any signs of inflammation or gum disease from progressing further.

Looking for Gum Disease Treatment Near You?

Choosing the best option is important, and our team at North Houston Periodontics & Dental Implants is here to help give you all of the options available to achieve that bright white smile. We welcome all patients, and strive to always provide quality service our patients can count on.

If you are interested in finding out more about gum disease treatments in Houston, TX, please contact Dr. Coker & Dr. Ho to schedule your consultation!

13303 Champion Forest Dr, Bldg 3, Houston, TX 77069