Periodontal Procedures
When our gums go, so do our teeth. Symptoms like visibly receding or bleeding gums and persistent bad breath (halitosis) should be looked at by a specialist sooner and not later. Gums gone bad cannot support teeth and, studies indicate, may do real harm to your overall health. Fortunately, however, while gum diseases are as old as humanity, their treatments are evolving and improving every day.
Dr. Sahar Verdi is more than a board-certified periodontist, she is one of Southern California’s foremost providers of comprehensive dental and oral health care and a leader in several dental specialties. She is also a noted teacher in the field and serves as a clinical professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she helps students stay abreast of the latest advances.
The Leading Edge of Oral Healthcare
Dr. Verdi regularly performs the full range of periodontal procedures utilizing the latest advances, including:
- Scaling and root planning – Gingivitis and its more severe sibling, periodontitis, are the most common types of gum disease. Scaling and root planning is the usual first line of defense against gum diseases and is referred to by most people as deep cleaning. The two-part process begins with scaling, which is the removal of plaque and any other harmful residue. Root planning involves smoothing out of the surfaces of the roots of teeth, thus reducing the size of the periodontal pocket. The result is that it is harder for disease-causing bacteria to cling, allowing the gums to reattach to the root of the tooth.
- Soft tissue grafting — Receding gums are a common problem associated primarily with gum disease, brushing too hard, and aging. It’s where the expression “long in the tooth” comes from but it’s not just a cosmetic issue. It can increase sensitivity to hot and cold but that’s not the worst of it. The additional exposure of teeth, which in some cases can include the roots, make deep cavities and damage to the jaw bone far more likely. A soft tissue graft treats the problem by using tissue – either donated or from other areas of the mouth – to rebuild the lost gum, cover exposed roots, and align the gum line. In some cases, this treatment is boosted with enamel matrix derivative, a substance derived from animal stem cells that foster the growth of new gum tissue.
- Crown lengthening – In some cases, patients have the opposite problem and there is too much visible gum tissue. This procedure is used to remove soft and hard tissue, resulting in exposure of more tooth structure. In addition to its cosmetic benefit, this procedure can foster better tissue health.
- Laser therapy – This minimally invasive treatment uses the power of highly focused light-emitting diode to remove diseased soft tissue lesions or growths, simplifying procedures, and improving recovery times. Patients who get laser therapy have minimal post-operative pain and faster recovery time.
- Bone tissue grafting — If the loss of one or more teeth has caused a significant amount of bone loss in the underlying jaw structure, collagen membranes and bone grafts can be used to stimulate regrowth of bone tissue. This procedure is often required before the placement of dental implants. When bone loss is severe, Dr. Verdi may employ special proteins that can help to form new bone tissue.
- Guided tissue bone regeneration — In cases where there has been significant bone loss around teeth due to periodontal disease, donated bone and collagen membrane are used to stimulate the body to produce new bone growth in these cases. This procedure helps decreased mobility and fostering healthier, stronger teeth.
- Sinus augmentation — In this procedure, the sinus membrane is gently lifted and bone graft material is placed in the space. Sinus augmentation increases the height of the jaw’s maxillary bone, allowing dental implants to be placed directly in the bone to help ensure long-term success.
- Frenectomy – In cases where there is an issue with the movement of the tongue, frenectomy releases attached fibers for better tongue and lip movement. Additionally, when there is too little space between the upper lip and the teeth, this procedure can improve the mobility of the upper lip for easier speech and better oral hygiene. It can also be used as part of a procedure to remove gaps between teeth.
- Platelet-rich fibrin – The oral surgeries Dr. Verdi performs are often enabled by a special technique that utilizes factors found in a tiny amount of the patient’s blood to foster improved bone and tissue growth. It’s a procedure that the doctor has found makes for easier procedures and happy patients.
Get Periodontal Treatment Today
Dr. Verdi is a highly respected and versatile oral health care expert who is committed to providing the highest level of care to all of her patients. If you want to know more about periodontal treatment, dental implants, cosmetic care, treatment for sleep apnea, general preventive care, or most other types of oral health care, we encourage you to reach out to us via the number at the top of your screen or our contact page.