We believe in the importance of good oral hygiene habits and take the time necessary to show them proper oral hygiene habits they can practice at home. We will review your hygiene techniques and make necessary adjustments where needed. We promise to speak candidly to you and offer suggestions to help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, including dental sealants and nightguards.
If we detect gingivitis or more serious periodontal (gum) disease, we may suggest root scaling and planing. Root scaling and planing beneficial in helping you maintain the health and beauty of your natural teeth and prevent bone loss.
We will also perform an oral cancer screening during your regular checkups. Early detection is the key to treating oral cancer. We are skilled in the latest treatment techniques.
Root Scaling & Planing
Even when periodontal disease is in a fairly advanced stage, it is possible to improve or even reverse the condition with non-surgical procedures. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, one of these approaches may be suggested by your doctor.
Scaling
This process can be done above or below the gum line and involves the scraping and removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth. Scaling done at regular teeth cleanings usually involves the crown of the tooth. However, in more extreme circumstances, it is necessary to go further below the gum line to thoroughly remove disease-causing bacteria and its by-products on the root surface. In very advanced cases, flap surgery or gingivectomy may be necessary to allow the doctor free access to the infected tooth root.
Planing
After the thorough cleaning of the tooth surface has been completed above and below the gum line, the root of the tooth undergoes a process called planing. This is a process of smoothing the root of the tooth so that any remaining tartar is removed. This also serves two other purposes: it clears away any rough areas that bacteria below the gum line thrive in, and it makes it much easier for the gingival (gum) tissue to re-attach itself to the tooth, effectively reducing the size of the pockets that the plaque and bacteria hide in. This re-growth of tissue is key in stopping a recurrence of gum disease and happens very quickly once the calculus has been removed.
With either of these procedures, your periodontist may prescribe you either local or systemic antibiotics and a specially indicated mouth rinse.
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Oral Cancer Screening
During your routine examination, Dr. Clark will examine your neck and mouth for lumps, white or red patches or recurring tender areas.
Oral cancer is one of the most under-discussed but prevalent forms of cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society has recently released information showing that, while incidents of cancers overall have reduced in the United States, the occurrences of oral cancers are actually increasing, as is its mortality rate.
With proper screening and early diagnosis, the severity of oral cancer drops significantly. But as with most forms of cancer, being able to detect the cancer in an early stage is crucial. That’s why our office uses advanced oral cancer screening equipment, to be able to detect and screen for the lesions that indicate possible oral cancer easily and accurately.
These screenings are fast and completely comfortable – and best of all, they are the best possible way to ensure that your mouth is healthy and cancer-free!
There are some common risk factors that increase a person’s chance for developing oral cancer, including smoking and frequent consumption of alcohol (30+ drinks a week). Other environmental and lifestyle factors can also increase a person’s risk for oral cancer.
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