What does bone grafting treatment involve?

Bone grafting is a fairly simple procedure which may be performed under local anesthetic; however if large amounts of bone area need to be grafted, general anesthetic may be required. 

Initially, the grafting material needs to either be harvested or prepared for insertion. A small incision is made in the gum tissue and then gently separated from the bone. The bone grafting material is then placed at the affected site.

The bone regeneration process may be aided by:

Gum/bone tissue regeneration – A thin barrier (membrane) is placed below the gum line over the grafting material. This barrier creates enough space for healthy tissue to grow and separates the faster growing gum tissue from the slower growing fibers. This means that bone cells can migrate to the protected area and grow naturally.

Tissue stimulating proteins – Enamel matrix proteins occur during natural tooth development. Emdogain is a matrix protein product which is usually placed on the affected site before the gum is sutured. It mediates the formation of accellular cementum on the tooth which provides a foundation to allow periodontal attachment to occur. Tissue stimulating proteins help to create lost support in areas affected by periodontal defects.

Platelet-rich growth factors – A high platelet concentration liquid can be used to create a blood clot at the site of a wound. It has recently been discovered that PRGF also stimulates bone growth – meaning a denser graft in a shorter time period.

The gum is sutured in place and a follow up appointment will need to be made within 10 days to assess progress. Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.

A Mouth-Body Connection

Bacteria collect on teeth and gums daily, which is why routine brushing and flossing is essential to stopping infection. These bacteria, if left alone, develop into gum disease and begin to wreak havoc on the look and function of the smile. Teeth develop plaque and gums become sensitive, eventually leading to decay and infection. Patients with advanced periodontal disease experience gum recession and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease can enter the blood stream and spread to the heart, lungs, and can also create blood sugar problems. Individuals suffering diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease, and if your heart health isn’t optimal, it’s possible to aggravate problems by not seeking treatment for periodontitis. However, our Lubbock dentist can reverse this process if caught in time, saving your teeth and overall body health with transformative treatments.

If you think you’re suffering from gum disease, please call our office and we will schedule you for treatment as soon as possible.

Prevent Enamel From Wearing As You Age

Did you know there are only 9 Mondays left until Christmas? Where has the year gone? If you’re anything like us and time just passes you by in the blink of an eye, then you know with the passing of every min, every hour, and every day comes another year to add to your age. Though life brings so many wonderful things with the coming of age, aging can have its downside too; especially on your teeth. Contingent on your health and diet habits, tooth enamel can erode from years of chewing and biting. Unfortunately, the human body can’t replace your enamel and there really is no telling how much your teeth will wear during your lifetime.

Aside from the regular wear of tooth enamel, some health conditions can cause your teeth to wear at a faster pace than the average person. Bad habits such as grinding, chewing on nails or things like bobby pins, can often fuel your teeth to wear faster. Also, acids and tooth decay can do this too. So what can you do to prevent your teeth from wearing as you age? 

First, start by making sure you’re getting regular maintenance done. Brushing, flossing, regular check-ups and cleanings as well as exams by your general dentist will help you keep your teeth healthy as well increase longevity. Second, talk to your dentist about habits that affect your teeth, or identify them and take the initiative to seek help. For instance, those who have a problem grinding their teeth can purchase a bite guard that can prevent this habit and prevent abnormalities in your teeth.

If you would like more information on slowing the rate of tooth wear as you age, please contact Lubbock Periodontics to schedule an appointment.

What Is Your Role In Periodontal Health?

Dental plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, so it's essential to remove it every day with effective brushing and flossing. This doesn't mean scrubbing, which can actually cause your gums to recede. Proper techniques can be demonstrated for you at Lubbock Periodontics by Dr. Lisa Wentz, if you have any questions.

Of course, there are some areas of the mouth that a toothbrush and floss just can't reach, which is why it's so important to have regular professional cleanings at the dental office. Your regular dental exam is also a time when early signs of gum disease can be detected — before they become apparent even to you.

Eating a nutritious diet low in sugar, and staying away from tobacco in all forms, will also increase your periodontal health — and your chances of keeping your teeth for life. If you have any further questions regarding preventing periodontal disease, contact Lubbock Periodontics.

How Can Laser Dentistry Help me?

Laser dentistry is incredibly versatile and plays an important role in a growing number of common dental procedures. Though laser dentistry is most notably associated with cosmetic treatments, it is equally effective for preventative purposes.

Here are some of the ways that dental lasers can be used:

Tooth preparation – Prior to laser dentistry, a drill would be required to prepare the tooth for a filling. Lasers can now completely eliminate the need for drilling and anesthesia. Lasers also successfully kill oral bacteria around the surgical site.

Reshaping soft tissue – Dental lasers can dissolve soft tissue to expose more of the natural tooth (crown lengthening), reshape soft tissue to make “gummy smiles” more attractive, and remove uncomfortable soft tissue folds caused by denture wear.

Frenectomy – Lasers can improve speech and the feeding habits of babies, children and adults by untying the tongue.

Tumor removal – When benign tumors have formed in the soft tissue areas of the mouth, a dental laser can completely remove them without causing pain. Whitening – Lasers can greatly expedite the tooth whitening process by increasing the activity of the particles in the peroxide bleaching solution.

Biopsy – Lasers are sometimes used to perform a biopsy on suspicious areas of soft tissue. This biopsy procedure can be performed instantly and with great precision

Ask A Professional: Who Should Treat My Periodontal Disease?

Who should treat my periodontal disease: my general dentist or a periodontist?

When it comes to your oral health problems, taking a serious approach to treatment should be your first priority. Several people struggle with what to do when deal with periodontal disease, and aren't sure where to turn.  Instead of leaving your periodontal treatment to one dental professional, you really should have both your general dentist and periodontist actively involved in your diagnosis and treatment as a team.  

Your general dentist is familiar with your dental and medical history, and can help your periodontist in that aspect. Your periodontist, has all of the general dentist training and background, yet specializes with extensive experience in treating periodontal disease. Together, they can collaborate to tailor your treatment for your individual needs.

When you visit our Lubbock, TX dental office, your smile is our top priority. Dr. Wentz and her entire team are dedicated to providing you with the personalized, quality dental care that you deserve.

Do You Know Why Your Gums Are Bleeding?

Improper or inconsistent dental hygiene can lead to bacteria buildup in the mouth, which results in red, swollen, and bleeding gums. This condition, called gingivitis, is quite common, and is not particularly painful for many people. If left untreated, however, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.

What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis will cause your gums to become red, swollen, and soft, instead of pink and firm. Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and/or floss, you could also have persistent bad breath. Gingivitis is caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Oral bacteria continuously form a sticky substance called plaque. If the plaque isn’t brushed off or flossed away quickly, it will harden into a substance called tartar. The presence of both plaque and tartar will irritate that part of your gums (like a splinter) and lead to gingivitis. Plaque also causes tooth decay. The good news is that if you catch gingivitis in its early stages and practice proper dental hygiene, you can reverse the effects.

You are at a risk for gingivitis if you:

• have diabetes
• are older
• don’t brush and floss regularly
• have a suppressed immune system
• take certain medications
• abuse drugs or alcohol
• have dry mouth
• are pregnant

Why Flossing is Important
One of the common things you hear people say is that they don’t floss because it makes their gums bleed. However, it’s very important to floss at least twice a day to remove the plaque that can’t be reached by a tooth brush. Even if you already have gingivitis, you should continue to floss so that plaque doesn’t have a chance to turn to tartar, which can eventually lead to periodontitis if it’s not removed. Once you’ve been brushing and flossing regularly, your gums should return to a healthy pink, and you should not see bleeding.

Tartar? Time to See a Dr. Lisa Wentz of Lubbock Periodontics 

If you notice blood during and after brushing or flossing, you should make an appointment with your Dr. Lisa Wentz. Your oral health is very important to your overall health, so call her today to set up an appointment.

Common Causes of Gum Recession

Gum recession is an incredibly widespread problem that is diagnosed and treated on a daily basis. It is important to thoroughly examine the affected areas and make an accurate diagnosis of the actual underlying problem. Once the cause of the gum recession has been determined, surgical and non-surgical procedures can be performed to halt the progress of the recession, and prevent it from occurring in the future. 

The most common causes of gingival recession are: 

Overaggressive brushing – Over brushing can almost be as dangerous to the gums as too little. Brushing too hard or brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush can erode the tooth enamel at the gum line, and irritate or inflame gum tissue. 

Poor oral hygiene – When brushing and flossing are performed improperly or not at all, a plaque buildup can begin to affect the teeth. The plaque contains various bacterial toxins which can promote infection and erode the underlying jawbone. 

Chewing tobacco – Any kind of tobacco use has devastating effects on the entire oral cavity. Chewing tobacco in particular, aggravates the gingival lining of the mouth and causes gum recession if used continuously. 

Periodontal disease – Periodontal disease can be a result of improper oral hygiene or caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes. 

The excess sugars in the mouth and narrowed blood vessels experienced by diabetics create a perfect environment for oral bacteria. 

The bacterium causes an infection which progresses deeper and deeper into the gum and bone tissue, eventually resulting in tooth loss.

If you have any questions or concerns about periodontal disease, periodontal treatments, or gum recession, please ask Dr. Lisa Wentz of Lubbock Periodontics.

Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease Diag & Treatments

Osteoporosis and periodontal disease are much less dangerous if they are diagnosed in the early stages. Once a diagnosis has been made, the dentist will generally work with the patient's doctor to ensure that both diseases are effectively controlled. 

Here are some methods commonly used to diagnose and treat the diseases: 

Routine dental x-rays – X-rays can be effectively used to screen for bone loss in the upper and lower jaw, and the dentist can provide interventions for preventing and treating periodontal disease. It is believed that minimizing periodontal disease will help treat osteoporosis. 

Estrogen supplements – Providing post-menopausal women with estrogen supplements lowers the rate of attachment loss and also lowers gingival inflammation, which in turn protects the teeth from periodontal disease. 

Assessment of risk factors – Dentists and doctors are able to closely monitor the patients that are at an increased risk of developing both diseases by assessing family history, medical history, X-ray results, current medications and modifiable risk factors. Tobacco use, obesity, poor diet and estrogen deficiency can all be managed using a combination of education, support and prescription medications. 

If you have any questions about periodontal disease and its connection with osteoporosis, please ask Dr. Lisa M. Wentz.