Muttontown, New York 11753
Office Hours:
| Monday: | 9:00 am – 8:30 pm |
| Tuesday: | 9:00 am – 8:30 pm |
| Wednesday: | Closed |
| Thursday: | 9:00 am – 8:30 pm |
| Friday: | Closed |
| Saturday: | By Appointment Only |
| Click to view map and Directions | |
Our Periodontal Services in Jericho
Below are descriptions of some of our most common services.
Initial Oral Examination
Your first visit at our office is very important in establishing your periodontal health baseline. Dr. Baine will perform a complete periodontal evaluation, an analysis of your occlusion (bite) and a thorough examination of your teeth, their supporting structures and of the oral anatomy.The Preventive Program
Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where proper oral hygiene is maintained. Our dental hygiene program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit, oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits. As part of your periodontal maintenance, Dr. Baine includes a periodontal exam every 3 months and will review each patient's oral hygiene instructions.
Scaling and Root Planing
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. We will evaluate the severity of each of our patients and recommend the appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, which cause irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket, they cause infection and damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth. If the disease is caught in the early stages (known as Gingivitis) and no permanent damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings may be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits. However, if the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, where the infection has caused bone loss, treatment options may include scaling and root planing, bone surgery or or other gingival and osseous treatments.
All periodontal maintenance on scaling and root planing visits includes anti-bacterial irrigation and de-sensitizing treatments.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Pocket reduction surgery (also known as gingivectomy, osseous surgery and flap surgery) is a collective term for a series of several different surgeries aimed at gaining access to the roots of the teeth in order to remove bacteria and tartar (calculus).The human mouth contains dozens of different bacteria at any given time. The bacteria found in plaque produce acids that lead to demineralization of the tooth surface, and ultimately contribute to periodontal disease.
Periodontal infections cause a chronic inflammatory response in the body that literally destroys bone and gum tissues once they invade the subgingival area (below the gum line). Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which, if left untreated, causes gingival inflammation and bone loss. Pocket reduction surgery is an attempt to alleviate this destructive cycle, and reduce the depth of the bacteria-harboring pockets.
Bone Grafts and Guided Tissue Regeneration
During both periodontal and dental implant surgery, it may be necessary to perform bone grafting. The bone graft supplements the bone around existing teeth or in the case of implants, in the recipient site of the implant. The goal of the graft is to strengthen bone support for the existing tooth or to create a more stable base for the dental implant.
Sinus Augmentation
Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone. There is a solution called a sinus graft or sinus lift graft. During this procedure, your periodontist enters the sinus from where the upper teeth used to be. The sinus membrane is then lifted upward and donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option other than wearing partial dentures.
Dental Implants
If a tooth is extracted or missing for some other reason, it is now possible to replace it using dental implants. An implant is like a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It's composed of two main parts: One part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so that you may have a more natural-looking smile.
Crown Lengthening
Periodontal procedures are available to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line. Crown lengthening can improve a "gummy" smile or fix decayed teeth, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge.
Antibiotic Treatment
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which leads to severe inflammation and tooth loss if left untreated. Antibiotic treatments can be used in combination with scaling and root planing, curettage, surgery or as a stand-alone treatment to help reduce bacteria before and/or after many common periodontal procedures.
Antibiotic treatments come in several different types, including oral forms and topical gels which are applied directly into the gum pockets. Research has shown that in the case of acute periodontal infection, refractory periodontal disease, prepubertal periodontal disease and juvenile periodontal disease, antibiotic treatments have been incredibly effective.
Antibiotics can be prescribed at a low dose for longer term use, or as a short term medication to deter bacteria from re-colonizing. Antibiotic therapy can also be used to prevent an overactive immune response which contributes to bone loss.
Gum Grafting
When recession of the gingiva occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an option. When there is only minor recession, some healthy gingiva often remains and protects the tooth, so that no treatment other than modifying home care practices is necessary. However, when recession reaches the mucosa, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost. In addition, gum recession often results in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods as well as an unsightly appearance of the gum and tooth. When significant, gum recession can predispose to worsening recession and expose the root surface, which is softer than enamel, leading to root caries and root gouging. A gingival graft is designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth or gently moved over from adjacent areas to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root. The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth.
