Periodontal disease (also known as periodontal infection,
gum disease or pyorrhea) is an ongoing infection in the gums around
your teeth. The cause of periodontal disease is infectious bacteria
which gets deep into your gums.
This infection starts destroying the bone that supports your teeth.
If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. For more information,
please see the section entitled "Periodontal
Disease".
Because periodontal infection grows under your gums, you
can have no symptoms at all. More advanced cases can result in
some of the following symptoms:
Red, swollen or tender gums
Tooth sensitivity to heat/cold
Bad breath
Deep pockets around the teeth
Spaces between the teeth
Loose or shifting teeth
Missing teeth
Gums receding around the teeth (longer looking teeth)
Why, all of a sudden,
is my dentist sending me to a periodontist?
Periodontists have advanced training in the treatment
of periodontal disease and dental implants.
Patients with periodontal infection have a lowered resistance
to periodontal bacteria. This causes a continuing gum infection
that can grow in bursts of activity. Some factors that can cause
a dramatic increase in the severity of your periodontal disease
are:
Poor oral hygiene
Dental plaque
Smoking
Genetic factors
Stress
Diet
Age
Illness
Two other important factors are:
Lack of regular dental checkups.
Lack of regular dental cleanings.
When your infection has a "burst" of growth, or when
there are signs that this is may occur, your dentist may recommend
periodontal treatment.
Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums and jawbone.
The goal of treatment is to remove this infection and prevent it
from coming back. After your initial examination, we will completely
explain your different options for treatment.
For more information see the section entitled Procedures.
One of our primary concerns is that you have a comfortable
experience during treatment. Towards this end, we offer an extensive
array of the latest techniques to minimize discomfort. Many of
our patients come back stating they are amazed at how little discomfort
they experienced.
For more information on these techniques, see Procedures.
Periodontal infection grows in "bursts of activity".
It is likely that you have been referred to us because your general
dentist has noticed an increase in infection activity.
This infection eats away at the bone that supports your teeth
(leading to tooth loss). If not treated, there can be a number
of consequences. Please see the Dental & Medical
Consequences section for a list of these.
The most important thing to prevent periodontal
disease is to remove the plaque from your teeth. Periodontal disease
is an ongoing bacterial infection around your teeth. Bacterial
plaque will form on your teeth, and you need to clean your mouth
daily to remove this plaque before it hardens into a deposit that
is called “calculus” or “tartar”.
Plaque hardening into calculus is the first step towards an ongoing
bacterial infection which leads to periodontal disease.
You can remove this plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth
daily and having regular dental visits. Brushing and flossing daily
will help remove the plaque from your teeth before it hardens.
Regular dental visits and professional cleanings will keep minimize
the amount of calculus around your teeth and will help remove calculus
from your teeth in areas that you can’t reach with daily
cleanings.
Your dentist can help you establish a program that will maintain
your dental health and help prevent periodontal disease. This will
include making sure that you brush and floss correctly, and your
dentist can also recommend dental products for any special needs
you may have.
You play the most important role in preventing periodontal disease,
so please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you may
have about what you can do to prevent periodontal disease.
Implants are the most natural looking replacement for missing
teeth. The implant itself is a post that is placed into your jawbone
and acts just like a tooth root. This post provides an anchor for
your general dentist to place crowns, bridges or other restorations.
We are experts in the placement of dental implants. Dental implants
begin with an evaluation by your general dentist who will decide
if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
For more detailed information, please see the section entitled "Dental
Implants".
Dental implants function much better than removable teeth, (e.g.
partials or dentures). Patients comment that dental implants are
so natural in appearance and function that it is like having their
natural teeth back. Today’s advancements make implants function
within 90% of the efficiency of natural teeth in terms of both
bite and feel.
The cost of implants varies from patient to patient, depending
on the complexity of each case. As a general rule, however, the
investment can be expected to be within the range of anyone who
can afford fixed bridgework.
How soon is it
possible to eat after receiving dental implants?
As soon as the final dental work has been placed, you can resume
normal eating again. A strict soft diet is necessary between placing
the implant and placing the final dental work since stress prior
to the final cementing of the restorative tooth could cause the
implant to weaken and fail.
On your first visit to our office, you will receive a periodontal
examination. You should experience little, if any, discomfort during
this examination. If necessary, x-rays will be taken to further
evaluate any loss of bone around your teeth.
Afterwards, your findings and options for treatment will be thoroughly
explained. At that time the doctor will answer any questions you
may have.
Our goal is that you leave with a complete understanding of your
condition and the treatment needed to restore you to optimum oral
health.
How much will treatment
cost and will my insurance cover it?
Everyone deserves to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.
While periodontal treatment is not as costly as replacing natural
teeth due to tooth loss, its cost can vary greatly depending upon
your needs.
If you have dental insurance, this may provide full or partial
coverage. Our office will contact your insurance company to learn
what they will cover.
We feel that finances should never be an obstacle to treatment.
For your convenience, we offer several payment options. We also
have payment plans to suit your individual needs. Our insurance
coordinator will be happy to answer any of your financial or insurance
questions.
For more information see our Financial
Policies or contact our
insurance coordinator at (310) 274-1047.
What are the medical
consequences if I delay treatment?
Periodontal disease is an ongoing infection which becomes inflamed.
When this inflammation gets into the bone around your teeth, it
then enters your blood stream. From there it travels to other parts
of the body and contributes to many medical problems.
Recent research has found that patients with periodontal inflammation
are more than twice as likely to have heart disease and stroke.
To learn more about the medical consequences of periodontal inflammation,
please see the Dental & Medical
Consequences section.
We keep ourselves up to date regarding equipment and periodontal
procedures. You can be sure you will receive state-of-the-art care
in our office.
Regarding sterilization, we believe that all procedures should
be safe as well as comfortable. We use only the latest sterilization
techniques. For more information on treatment techniques and sterilization
see the section entitled "Procedures".
How is my general
dentist important in my periodontal care?
Your general dentist knows your entire dental history,
the condition of your teeth, and your future dental needs. He is
in charge of your overall dental care. We work closely with him
or her to ensure you will receive the best possible dental care.
In many cases, your general dentist may do your preliminary periodontal
treatment and a portion of your periodontal maintenance afterwards.
Beverly Hills Center for Perio and
Implantology Sam Gilani, D.M.D., M.S.
416 N. Bedford Dr., Suite 407 • Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 274-1047 •
Fax: (310) 274-3181
