Scaling and root planning (deep cleaning), conducted under local anesthesia, allows gums to regain their health and provides the underlying bone structures an opportunity to partially recover their structural integrity.
This procedure allows for the in-depth insertion of specialized tools inside the periodontal pockets, which can clean them and remove bacterial plaque from the surface of the tooth roots, under the gumline.
When required, antibiotics can be prescribed. Overall, these treatments aim to close as many periodontal pockets as possible while reducing the levels of periodontal inflammation.
Root planing does not, however, eliminate deep periodontal pockets, and can consequently be carried out multiple times, depending on each patient’s level of periodontal disease. Subsequent surgical treatments may also be required after this phase.
For optimal outcomes, the personal daily upkeep of your mouth combined with our office’s maintenance program are both important. The maintenance phase requires regular and more frequent cleaning, without anesthesia, to be carried out, in alternating sessions, between your general dentist’s and our office. To limit the progression of periodontal disease, following the initial treatments, the frequency of future cleanings is determined by its severity and the extent to which the disease is controlled.
If, following nonsurgical treatment procedures (scaling and root planing), deep periodontal pockets persist, we may recommend one of the two following options, in an attempt to eliminate them. These allow for an increased efficiency of oral hygiene techniques (toothbrush, dental floss, interdental brushes, etc.) and an enhancement of long-term oral health.
This procedure involves the removal of a small portion of gingival (gum) tissue, granting access to tooth roots and the underlying bone tissue. This, in turn, allows for the deep removal of dental plaque and tartar. Sometimes, bone recontouring, or bone polishing, may also be required.
This procedure is widely acknowledged as being very effective. However, one of the main inconveniences it presents is that teeth may subsequently appear slightly longer. It is for this reason that it is generally carried out on posterior teeth.
The goal of this procedure is to regenerate the bone support as well as the attachment of the tooth to the gums through the use of a bone graft. For this surgical technique to be carried out, several anatomical and biological criteria must be met, which explains why it is less common than other periodontal procedures. However, when properly designed and enacted, this procedure can yield exceptional results. Your periodontist will be able to inform you if you are a good candidate for this type of surgical procedure.
A gingival graft is useful for covering the exposed root of a tooth or increasing the soft tissue volume to protect against future gingival recessions.
It can also be used for the same purposes with a dental implant. Often, the grafting tissue is obtained from the roof of the mouth.
Although alternatives exist, the tissue obtained from the roof of the mouth demonstrates the best quality, stability and long-term outcomes.
Gingival grafts can be carried out through a wide array of techniques, and your periodontist will be able to inform you on the best choice to ensure a high quality and esthetically pleasing outcome. Here are two examples.
When a tooth is removed, the healing process that takes place in the mouth can lead to the shrinkage of the bone and gum tissues in the surrounding area. It can then be difficult or even impossible to insert a dental implant, if the subsequent bone and tissue loss are significant. Therefore, when planning for the insertion of a dental implant, the preservation of bone tissue is an important factor to consider. The actual technique requires the grafting of bone to the space occupied by the tooth at the moment of its extraction. It usually takes a few months of healing for the graft to be strong enough to accept a dental implant.
When a tooth has been missing for a period of time, underlying bone tissue atrophy is possible. In such cases, bone reconstruction must take place to allow for the eventual insertion of a dental implant. It usually takes several months of healing for the graft to be strong enough to accept the dental implant. There are many different techniques available to accomplish this goal and your periodontist is well equipped to inform you of the options available to best meet your needs.
In the superior posterior region of the mouth, an anatomical structure, known as the maxillary sinus, has been known to limit the available bone tissue required for the insertion of a dental implant. When this situation occurs, it is possible to open the lateral wall of the sinus and move the sinus floor up, thereby increasing the available bone tissue for the future insertion of a dental implant. This procedure requires a bone graft as well, and the adaptation of a membrane. There are many different techniques available to accomplish this goal and your periodontist is well equipped to inform you of the options available to best meet your needs. It usually takes several months of healing for the graft to be strong enough for the insertion of a dental implant.
A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium cylinder that is used to replace the root of a tooth. Implants can be used for various reasons including the replacement of a missing tooth, the supporting of dental prostheses (dentures), or for the replacement of the entire dentition.
When the bone tissue available is sufficient, both in terms of height and width, the insertion of dental implants is a very safe procedure. Following the insertion of the implant, several months of healing are required before the fixing of the crown (tooth) to the implant (root).
Implant insertion is one of the specialties of the clinic. The crown is built by either a general dentist or a prosthodontist. The resulting combination of the implant and the crown is known as an implant-supported restoration.
In the superior posterior region of the mouth, an anatomical structure, known as the maxillary sinus, has been known to limit the available bone tissue required for the insertion of a dental implant. There are two techniques available to allow for a sinus graft and the insertion of an implant in the same session. Drs. Lassonde and Vachon will be able to determine the approach most suited to meet your needs.
An incision is made on the side of the lateral wall and the maxillary sinus floor is moved in order to ensure sufficient bone height for the insertion of a forthcoming dental implant. This procedure requires a bone graft, and the adaptation of a membrane. If there is enough bone tissue available, the implant may be placed during the same session. This procedure requires months of healing before the installation of a crown by a general dentist or prosthodontist.
This technique involves a bone graft that is completed through the space created during the implant insertion. This procedure requires a few months of healing before the placement of a crown by a general dentist or prosthodontist.
When a tooth breaks below the gum line, or when a very deep cavity prohibits your dentist from creating a proper filling, because there is no space available, a functional crown lengthening surgery is recommended.
When an excessive amount of gum or bone tissue forms around a tooth, which can be a normal by-product of tooth growth and development, it is possible to re-establish a normal tooth outline and smile using an esthetic crown lengthening surgery.
When a tooth remains stuck under the gum or bone tissue, in spite of normal growth, it is possible to establish a surgical access in order to expose it. A small attachment is bonded on the impacted tooth crown during the exposure procedure. Over the few weeks to months following the surgical procedure, the tooth is slowly brought back to its normal position through orthodontic movement.
This procedure requires the surgical excision of a frenulum or fibrous attachment. When these structures become too large or are incorrectly positioned, they can create an open space between teeth, preventing them from touching. The frenulum can pull on the edge of the gums and contribute to gum recessions, as well as hinder the insertion of dental prosthesis, or simply complicate your dental hygiene measures.
It is possible to carry out the partial or full removal of an oral lesion by our periodontists. The histopathological analysis is completed within two weeks by a specialized laboratory.
