Patricia Berube, D.M.D., M.S., P.A.

What is Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)?

Periodontal disease occurs when plaque sits below your gums.

This plaque then hardens and becomes tartar.

If this tartar remains, the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth creating pockets. These pockets cannot be cleaned by conventional means.

If left untreated, the bone and tissues that anchor your teeth will start to be destroyed.

As bone is lost, your teeth will begin to shift from their normal position, become mobile, and can eventually be lost.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is often called a "silent disease" because there may not be any symptoms you are aware of. Some symptoms you may experience include:

1) Bleeding gums when brushing
2) Persistent bad breath
3) Red, swollen or tender gums
4) Loose or separating teeth
5) Pus between the teeth and gums
6) Gums that have pulled away from the teeth which causes your teeth to appear longer
7) A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

What causes this disease?

There are many factors that cause periodontal disease. The main cause is plaque (bacteria) and your body's response to this bacteria. Issues such as genetics, your immune system, smoking, diabetes, oral hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits all may play a role in the extent of the disease.

Did you know periodontal disease has been linked with?

-Heart disease, stroke and heart attack
-Diabetes
-Pregnancy complications
-Osteoporosis
-Arthritis
-Smoking

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Dental implants as a tooth replacement option

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth, bridge or denture in place. Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. The goal is to create a smile with teeth that look and feel just like your own.

Advantages (over other options):

-Implants look and feel like a natural tooth
-An implant does not sacrifice the health of neighboring teeth
-Implants help keep the jawbone healthy and intact

The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.

This procedure is a team effort between you, your dentist and your periodontist. To learn more, click here.

Did you know that implants can help support an ill-fitting denture?
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Periodontal plastic surgery

If you feel that:

your smile is too "gummy" or uneven

your teeth are too short or too long

you have an unnatural indentation due to a tooth being lost, or

if one or more of your teeth are missing.

...a cosmetic treatment might be just right for you.

Examples of procedures that may help:

Crown lengthening-removes excess gum tissue to expose more of the "crown" of the tooth. Your gumline is then sculpted to give your new smile just the right look.

Soft tissue grafts-cover exposed roots to improve esthetics, reduce further gum recession, and protect your roots from decay.

Ridge Augmentation-filling in a defect caused by an indentation in your gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This will recapture the natural contour of your gums and jaw.

Dental Implants-will replace teeth to feel and look just like your own.

To learn more, click here.

Anxiety Control

We understand that patient anxiety and fear concerning treatment can sometimes get in the way of optimal periodontal care.

We offer the following modalities to help control anxiety:
1) Conscious sedation-a safe, drug-induced state which you are conscious and pleasantly relaxed, yet free of fear, anxiety and apprehension. This is different than general anesthesia and does not carry the same inherent risks.

2) Oral sedation ("happy pills")-an anti-anxiety or sedative prescribed for relieving anxiety in the hours immediately before a dental appointment.

These are in addition to topical and local anesthetics. Patients will need an escort to drive them to and from the procedures. Please ask about these and other forms of anxiety control.