What a Great Case! Jessica Vipperman

Posted in Uncategorized   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On February 15th, 2012
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Jessica Before

Jessica's before smile

Wow!  What a great Case, and what a great young lady.  Jessica Vippermanbegan her Orthodontic case at our office with Dr. Freeman on August 18th, 2010, and less than a

Jessica After

Jessica's after smile

year and a half later, we  finished up  her case with excellent results.   How did we finish in such a short period of time ?  Because of the cooperation and help of such a wonderful patient.  Jessica did everything she was told right from the start.  From wearing her appliances to being aggressive with her Home Care/Oral Hygiene, Jessica was the key partner in her orthodontic treatment.  Just take a look at her before and after photos and you can see the results.

Jessica’s original issues stemmed from slightly crowded arches and a deep bite.  Jessica’s arches were too narrow to support the width of her adult teeth.  This lack of space caused crowding and rotations of her anterior (front) teeth.  When Jessica would bite down, her upper anterior (front) teeth almost covered her lower anterior teeth completely.  This is called a Deep Bite, and Jessica’s upper front teeth covered 90% of her lower front teeth.  Deep bites are the root cause of many issues as people get older including cracking of the lower front teeth and the need for multiple restoration in this area.  In extreme cases, the lower teeth can cause tissue damage to the roof of the mouth just behind the larger front teeth.

We began Jessica’s treatment by using a fixed series 2000 appliance to expand her arches.  Patients and parents tend to love these appliances because they have an internal spring system to create a slight even pressure.  As her arches expanded, orthodontic brackets and bio-efficient wire were place on the teeth to guide them to a more proper position while the need space was being created.  Once the expansion was complete, it was time to deal with the deep bite.

An appliance called a Rick-N-Nator was placed on Jessica’s upper arch.  This appliance holds an acrylic block behind the upper front teeth.  When the patient bites down, the lower teeth are stopped by the acrylic block in a more proper bite position.  As the patient wears the appliance, the posterior teeth erupt in further until they touch again.  Once the posterior teeth have established a new bite, the appliance can be removed.  On average, this treatment takes five months.

Once we had met all of our goals and Jessica and her parents were happy, all brackets were removed and Jessica was placed into a retainer system.  Jessica took our office oath to be loyal to her retainer because she knows that the retainer will “hold her teeth in positions” and the longer she wears her retainers, the longer lasting her results will be.  We were so very proud of Jessica, and when she smiles, we can see that she is very proud of her teeth.  Who makes us smile?  Great patients like Jessica.  That’s who.

Jessica Lower before

Jessica's lower teeth before

 

 

Jessica lower after

Jessica's lower teeth after

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jessica smile before

Jessica's smile before

 

 

Jessica's smile after

Jessica's smile after

We Celebrate 15 Years with Susan Seward

Posted in Uncategorized   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On February 2nd, 2012
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We are delighted to celebrate another special anniversary.  On January 29, 1997, we welcomed Susan Seward to our Dental Team.   15 years later, Susan laughs, “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”  She recalls the offices in Radford, Chesapeake and Richmond where she spent the early years of her career as a Hygienist.  Those positions were jobs, but Dr. Mark Freeman & Associates is her home.

As her husband’s career progressed from Horticulture student to Landscaper to Adjunct Professor at J. Sargent Reynolds,  Susan worked  3-4 years stints in a variety of offices across Virginia.  It was during this time that her skills grew and her experiences with patients deepened.  Still, she never felt like she had found the right office to work with.  Then she interviewed with Dr. Freeman, and she realized very quickly that this was the family atmosphere she had been looking for.

Impressed with the skill of the Dentists and  the commitment of the other staff members, she found herself doing something she had not done before – - – bringing her family to the office where she was working for their Dental care.  “We even brought my daughter’s boyfriend at one point,” she chuckles.  Susan has worked a two or three day week during her 15 years with us.  Currently, she is happy with a schedule that has her in the office Monday and Wednesday and “on call”  to fill in for others as needed.

So how have things changed across the three decades of her career?  “Patients today are better informed,” she observes.  Information is available from TV, the Internet, magazines and newspapers.  She has seen her patients become more aware of the connection between dental care and their overall health, which makes it easier to encourage good home care.  Susan loves to provide this motivation. This increase in awareness makes it easier to explain concepts and treatment to her patients.  It can also be challenging.

“Sometimes,” she says, “we have to answer lots of questions about issues that are in the media.  A famous Doctor will mention something on a show and everyone will get concerned. ”  She welcomes the conversations and takes care to be sure that her patients have the most accurate information.   Today’s patients, who are interested, informed and engaged, make great partners in their own care.

Some other things have changed as well.  Susan remembers the time before masks and gloves, before suction replaced cuspidors and spit bowls.  “So many of the tools of care have improved.”  Technology has improved as well, but, she emphasizes, the fundamentals of good care remain the same.  She is committed to providing great care, fostering communication and maintaining her patient’s comfort.  Of all the things a Dental practice can provide, she says that quality care tops the list of importance.

One of Susan’s skills that we value the most is her responsiveness to her patients–her ability to assess her patient’s needs, to gauge what they need to know, to listen and to communicate.

We are so grateful for the time, talent, care and concern for her patients that Susan has invested with our office.  As we move into the new year, we look forward to a great 2012 with great friends and team members like Susan.

Picky, Picky, Picky

Posted in Dental News   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On January 20th, 2012
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The common toothpick, usually made from wood, is primarily used to remove food stuck that has lodged in between teeth.  Most wooden toothpicks in the United States come from birch trees grown in Maine.  The trunks of these trees are sliced into thin sheets and then cut and milled into individual toothpicks.  While toothpicks work well to remove food trapped between teeth, they should be used only when dental floss is not readily available, and certainly not as an everyday replacement for floss.

Dentists can often tell if a patient is a habitual toothpick user by the telltale marks in the mouth.  Overzealous toothpick users can cause serious problems in the mouth, including lacerated gums, damage to tooth enamel, and chipping or breakage of dental veneers or bonding.   Even worse, small notches can be worn into the root structure of the tooth where a patient “holds” a toothpick in their mouth, especially where the gums have pulled away from the teeth to leave the root surfaces exposed.

In more recent years, certain dental supply companies have developed substitutes for the wooden toothpick.  DentalSwords are plastic toothpicks shaped and designed to not only clean between the teeth better but help to minimize the negative issues surrounding wooden picks.  Plastic swords are often triangular in cross-section.  By placing the flat end towards the gums, it helps prevent damage to the gingival tissue.    GUM dental has recently developed a new aid called Soft Picks. These are small plastic picks with a light foam coating on the end used between the teeth.  This foam tip not only protects the tissue and root structure but grab debris from the interproximal site.  Another benefit of plastic swords are that they are bendable to reach into difficult areas.

While toothpicks can be a good solution to cleaning teeth occasionally, our Hygiene Staff would prefer to show you the proper way to floss your teeth so that you can develop a habit of flossing  on a daily basis.  Did you know that it is recommended that you floss your teeth first, before you brush?  This way you can brush away any debris you remove with the floss from between the teeth.  On our web-site RichmondDentalGroup.com, you can find short instructional videos on Brushing and Flossing under the Your Oral Health heading.  (CLICK HERE to go to the brushing and flossing page to watch)  Try to make the time to floss everyday.  If you become a daily flosser, your gums will be healthier and your routine dental cleanings will be much easier.  This is a simple way to improve your smile!

Happy Anniversary, Tori Dickerson

Posted in Uncategorized   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On January 12th, 2012
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On January 16, 2002, a bright eyed, newly graduated Dental Assistant walked into our office to start her career.  Fresh out of school, she came to work for Dr. Mark Freeman & Associates eager to practice all that she had learned to help patients.  This week, we celebrate  Tori Dickerson’s Ten Year Anniversary at our office.

This was not Tori’s  first career choice.  “I got my teaching certificate,”  she recalls, “but I quickly figured out that it wasn’t the right fit for me.”  Calling on the experiences of friends who were already working in the dental field, she set her sights on a degree that would let her work as a Dental Assistant.  She knew that this would give her the skills needed to help others and to find a good job.

Tori  is happy to share how much she loves her job.  When she began working, she did not anticipate how much she would come to know and care for her patients.  Over time, she has learned about their families and their lives and many of her patients have become her friends.  Tori finds it is gratifying to help her patients with their overall health and well being.  She laughs saying  it is like being a nurse, only with better hours.

Unlike the teaching career that she originally contemplated, Dental Assisting allows her to leave her work at work.  This little luxury keeps her  rise to the challenge of each new day.  Some are peaceful and even.  Some bring emergencies, complicated procedures or other challenges, but for Tori, the variety in the work makes things even more interesting.   Unlike the other Assistants, Tori  has worked with several different Dentists over the last ten years at our office.   Dr. Freeman likes to give her the responsibility of breaking in the new Doctors, teaching them our special techniques,  and making sure they know what we expect of them at our office.

“I was lucky, though, to get such a wonderful place off the bat.”  Dr. Mark Freeman & Associates has been Tori’s  professional home for her entire career, and it is easy to see why she has stayed.   “We have a real family atmosphere here.  It is relaxed and fun.”   Tori credits Dr. Freeman and his wife, Christie, with setting a great family-like tone in the office.  “They are such kind, wonderful people.  It is quite a feat to sustain such a positive environment for both the staff and the patients.”   As an example, Tori related the following story:

“We were on the way back from a Dental conference in Las Vegas.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  We were all chatting, joking and laughing about the events that took place that weekend.   A couple on the plane close to us starting asking questions about who we were and the reason for our trip.   I remember talking to the wife, and telling her all about the new techniques I learned that weekend.  A month  later that couple schedules appointments at the office. They thought we were wonderful and fun on that plane ride back to Richmond.  And we are! ”

We asked Tori what has changed over the last ten years.  She replied that new products come on the market always claiming to be better than the one they are replacing, but that good dental care is always good dental care.  Quality work does not change.   “Each day is an adventure in this place.”

Thank you, Tori, for the care and skill you bring to our patients.  We are so glad that you have invested the last decade with us and we look forward to many more years with you on our Dental Care Team.

The Good Samaritan

Posted in Patient Stories   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On December 22nd, 2011
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At this is the time of year for good cheer, good stories and good will, I’d like to share a anecdote that is all three.  Earlier this year, one of our patients was walking home to her apartment after a quick trip to the drug store.   She walks everywhere — everyday.  In fact, she once told me that the reason she picked her apartment complex was because its location allowed her to walk easily to the store, to restaurants, and to our office.  You see, she does not drive.

On this particular afternoon, while walking on the sidewalk along Cox Road, she suddenly lost her footing and fell, face first, onto the pavement.  Shaken, she laid there for a moment.  To her horror, she realized that her teeth had been badly damaged and that she was bleeding profusely.

Frantically, she tried to wave down passing vehicles for over ten minutes.  “Person after person kept driving by without even stopping or showing concern.”  she said.  “I was terrified because even though my mind wanted to, my body could not get off the ground.”

Out of nowhere, she heard a young man’s voice  “I think you need help.”

Carefully , he maneuvered to help her up.  She knew she was dead weight in his arms, and she could feel him struggle to get her off the ground. The boy, Vince,  seemed to be around nineteen years old, give or take a few years, but he quickly understood the severity of her injuries.  He helped her into the passenger side of his car.  Inconvenienced drivers blew their horns at the young man who had dared to stop his vehicle in the right lane.

Our patient hazarded a glance at herself in the side-view mirror.  Looking back at her she saw “what looked like a Halloween mask with missing teeth.  My face and neck were black and blue.  I looked like a very scared senior citizen.”

“Take me to Dr. Freeman’s.”  They were  less than a mile from our office.  Without hesitation, Vince  followed her directions straight to our door.  He helped her from his car and into our office.   When they came through the door, both now splattered with red spots, Vince looked a little rattled.  “I found her on the ground,”  he said.  “She said to bring her here.”

Our Patient was rushed to the back and put into the first open chair we had.  Two Doctors and three assistants worked for most of the afternoon to repair the damage that the fall had caused.  She had several broken teeth.  Her central incisors where knocked sideways and  one tooth was pushed upward into the bone.  Her upper lip was lacerated, and she was bleeding profusely.

Her teeth were repositioned, stabilized with orthodontic wire, and bonding material.   Her wounds were treated.

While  we were  in the back, the young man quietly disappeared from the waiting room, leaving  his name and address.

“Vince was so kind and considerate.” she recalled,  “I could not have made it without him.   In the car, he told me he was a first-year college student and was going to visit his girlfriend when he saw me on the sidewalk.  I thanked Vince for all his help and called him the next day to thank him again.  He was indeed my hero, and I shall never forget him.”

The next day, after things settled down, I felt that the young man should be rewarded for his heroic gesture.  We wrote a thank you note  from our office and sent him a gift certificate to a local restaurant as a reward.  We never heard from Vince, but several weeks later I received a card from his mother.  This is what it said:



Four months and several appointments later, the woman was her own perky self again.  She is back to her walking, making her trips to the store.  We never saw Vincent again, but it warms my heart to know there are people like him out there.    I thank him for his concern for a person in distress, his willingness to help and the inspiration he provided to us all.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a hopeful New Year.

Dr. Mark Freeman

Gum Disease Has Links All Over The Body

Posted in Dental News   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On December 9th, 2011
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There has been a lot of coverage in the news lately about the  “mouth-body connection”–perhaps you’ve heard about the evidence that links the health of your teeth to your overall wellbeing.   In the last ten years,  periodontal (gum) disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

No on is immune.  Unlike other factors, Periodontal Disease seems to effect coronary health in both men and women equally.  Gum disease in women has been associated with a higher risk of pre-term birth and under weight babies.  These dangers have been well reported in the press.

Did you know, however, about the correlation between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and even certain cancers?

While rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gum disease are both systemic inflammatory diseases, it is interesting to note that patients with RA are eight times more likely to suffer from gum disease than those without RA.

Chronic inflammation may also have a role in the correlation between periodontal and kidney disease.  Worldwide, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.   Adults who have suffered tooth loss are more likely to develop kidney disease than adults who have retained their teeth.  A patient who has lost teeth may have been exposed to chronic oral inflammation and may be susceptable to other inflammation as well.

Men with tooth loss and a history of gum disease are also reported to have an increased risk of developing certain cancers.  Research is ongoing, but associations have been noted between gum disease and kidney, pancreatic and haematological (blood) cancers.  It is possible that  the gum disease may just be a marker of a susceptible immune system.  However, severe gum disease has also been documented as a risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Please check out our home page at RichmondDentalGroup.com.  Under YOUR ORAL HEALTH, you can easily find more information on periodontal disease and the systemic problems with which it is linked.  (click HERE to go directly to the periodontal health page).  Keep up with your home care and your routine preventive visits, and at your next cleaning, talk about your periodontal health with one of our caring Hygienist or Doctors.   We will work to ensure your healthy body starts with a healthy smile.

 

Thank You, Penny, for 10 Great Years–and Many More to Come!

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Posted in Fun at the Office   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On December 1st, 2011
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Today marks a very special milestone. Ten years ago today Penny Willliams chose to join our office as a Dental Hygienist. We are humbled to think of all the people that Penny has helped over the last decade. Her commitment to her patients is extraordinary and her presence in the office is a delight to her co-workers. We asked her to share some thoughts about her 26 years in the field.

MFA: Penny, you have been a valued colleague for the last decade here in our offices.    Clearly, you feel a real sense of dedication for your work and your patients. What is your favorite part of your role as a Dental Hygienist?

PENNY:   The best part of my job here is the daily contact with our patients, who have now become my friends.  They make my life richer and my profession enjoyable.  Patient compliance comes much easier, I believe, because people know I genuinely care.  I take a personal interest in their families and daily life and they in mine. Ironically, I benefit as much as they do from these interactions.

MFA: Your career spans more than two and a half decades. How did you know that this was the career that would bring you such satisfaction? How did you choose this line of work?

PENNY: As a child growing up, I always wanted to be a writer, but as college approached I felt more and more drawn to the medical field.  I took a summer job as a dental assistant in a young practice and immediately loved every aspect of dentistry, especially dental hygiene. It was at the end of this summer that I decided to pursue this career.  I had had negative dental experiences as a child and I thought I might be able to make a difference by choosing this profession.

MFA: What changes have you seen during your career so far? How are things different now from when you started?
PENNY: Since graduation from MCV in 1986, my life has seen many changes both personally and professionally.  Technology has improved the delivery of dental care and has made for more pleasant dental visits.  The recent knowledge that our overall health can be affected  by our daily dental routine such as brushing and flossing has forced my profession to look beyond traditional dental care and take a more holistic view. Contributing to the complete health of my patients is now possible through dental hygiene instruction and care.

MFA: You had a sense of what you wanted when you started. What has surprised you most about the way that events have unfolded for you?

PENNY:   One of the greatest surprises in my 26 years as a dental hygienist is the profound effect that my patients have had on me as a person. I have come to realize that I need them as much as they need me and that they have taught me as much about life as I have them about dentistry. They validate my success in this wonderful profession and I am eternally grateful.

MFA: It is obvious that you are in the right profession and we are very grateful that you’ve chosen to work with us. What has your 10 years with our office meant to you?

PENNY:     Another unexpected gift in my professional life, especially in the last 10 years, is the bond formed with my work family. Just recently I have discovered how truly important these people are to me. We are all very different yet we come together every day with the same goal- to provide the best care we can for our patients.  The daily trials we encounter as a team have never deterred us from that goal and at the end of the day we are still the best dental team I know.  The individuals that make up this team have not only made me a better hygienist but a better person.  I am so grateful that 10 years ago today, there was a job opening for one lucky hygienist at the Office of Dr. Mark Freeman and Associates.

MFA: I’m not sure who was luckier–you or us. Thank you, Penny, for 10 great years and we look forward to the years to come.

Good Foods Can Help With A Great Smile

Posted in Dental News   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On November 22nd, 2011
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Healthy gums are the foundation of a beautiful smile.  Of course, brushing and flossing are the key to having healthy gums.  However, new research shows that eating certain foods can also help keep your gums in the pink.  Just like the rest of you body, your gum tissue responds to the types of foods you eat and the minerals and vitamins those foods provide.  Think of these nutritional boosts, listed below, as the perfect partner for oral home care and regular dental visits.


1) Salmon – This fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduces inflamation all over the body, including your gums!  A study found that patients with proper home care who ate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids slashed their risk of gingivitis by up to 20%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Strawberries – These delicious berries are bursting with vitamin C.  Vitamin C  helps to build collagen, an important component of healthy gum tissue.  In fact, people who consume less than 60 milligrams of  Vitamin C each day are more likely to develop gingivitis.  Consume just six large Strawberries, and you have exceeded that recommended amount.   But stay away from vitamin supplement drinks.  They have been shown to erode tooth enamel with long term use.

 

 

 

 

3)  Whole Grain Bread – Whole grains contain iron and B vitamins, two nutrients essential to gum health.  One study found that eating three servings of whole grains a day reduces the risk of gum disease by 23% in patients with good oral hygiene.  Consider adding barley, oatmeal, and brown rice as well.

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Green Tea – Hot or cold, this brew is brimming with antioxidants that help to kill the bacteria  leading to gingivitis.  Also, Green Tea has been shown to reduce the germs that cause bad breath.  Be aware, however, that many pre-bottled green tea drinks are sweetened with sugar or mixed with fruit juices.  It is important not to undermine your healthy gums by promoting cavities!

 

 

 

 

 

5)  Pistachios – These nuts are also rich in antioxidants and have been show to fight gum inflammation.  Plus, chewing hard foods like nuts helps to scrape dental bacteria off of your enamel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By enjoying a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins as part of your Home Dental Care, you are strengthening your gums and fighting gingivitis from the inside out!  Remember, you are what you eat!  Keep brushing and flossing, eat healthy, and keep smiling!

 

 

Congratulations to Jackson Bergstrom: Another Beautiful Smile

Posted in Patient Stories   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On November 16th, 2011
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Jackson shows off his new smile

On the first day--Jackson's before photo

Congratulations to our patient Jackson Bergstrom who completed his Orthodontics Case with Dr. Freeman on October 19.  Jackson, who is now 13, has been a patient since 2004 and we have enjoyed watching as he and his brothers have grown.

Each of our Orthodontic Treatment cases are developed to meet the specific needs of each patient.  In our assessment of Jackson’s case, we determined that his arches were not wide enough to support the size of his teeth.  This is a common Orthodontic problem which creates crowding and rotation of the teeth on the arch.

In addition, he was also developing a deep bite, a condition in which a the upper front teeth cover the majority, if not all, of the lower front teeth when the patient bites down.   In adults, coverage of more than about 20% can lead to fillings, root canals and crowns as the lower teeth are subjected to extreme wear.  In a deep bite, impact trauma from the lower teeth can sometimes cause soft tissue damage to the rough of the mouth.  To prevent this damage to gum and tooth structure, it is critical that a deep bite be opened to a more proper position.

Jackson began his Orthodontic Treatment on March 25, 2010 with the placement of upper and lower Series 2000 expanders.  Dr. Freeman favors these appliances because they utilize internal springs to place a continuous low pressure against the arches.  This creates the needed space to rotate the teeth into the proper position.  In addition to the expanders, brackets and wires were attached which began to straighten Jackson’s teeth.

After only 5 months, the expanders came off, and Jackson began the second half of his treatment.  A Rick-A-Nator was used to help open Jackson’s deep bite.   The Rick-A-Nator positions the bite in a more proper position and holds it there until the molars and premolars erupt further.  After a short time, the posterior teeth will hold the new position on their own and the appliance can be removed.

With any Orthodontic Case, the patient is really one of the team members. Throughout the entire process, Jackson kept up his part of our Orthodontic Partnership.  He was diligent with his oral hygiene and he watched the things he ate to protect his brackets and wires during treatment.  Everything went extremely well with Jackson’s case, which was completed in less than 1 year, 7 months.

On October 19, 2011, he arrived at our office early in the morning for his debanding appointment.  We were all excited to see his big reveal–how would his teeth look without his braces?  We removed his brackets and appliances and polished his teeth.  WOW !  What a great result.  By 9:30 he was off to school to show off his new smile.

Thank you, Jackson for being such a stellar team member and such a great patient!  Don’t forget to wear your retainers, and always remember who makes you smile!

The photo gallery:

Before and after:  The view from the front

This is where it all started

Straight, healthy smile--goal achieved

 

Before and after:  A peek at the upper teeth

An upper view shows that teeth will need to rotate

Upper teeth now in alignment

 

Before and after:  The lower teeth before and whole mouth after view

The lower teeth need to move as well

Uppers and lowers now in place

 

 

Extending the Life of a Periodontally Questionable Tooth

Posted in Dental News, Uncategorized   Written by Mark Freeman, DDS On November 9th, 2011
3 Comments

Plaque bacteria is the primary cause of gum disease.  As the bacteria colony grows on a tooth,  it develops a hard layer called Tartar or Calculus.  This layer spreads along the surface of the tooth, and as the bacteria  extends below the gum line, Periodontal Disease develops.  At first, the patient will show signs of  Gingivitis or an irritation and bleeding of the gums.  Advanced stages, however, will exhibit a swelling / inflammation of the gingiva and  bone loss around the tooth.  As the bone retreats from the tartar, the tooth will  become loose and may eventually need to be extracted.  Research shows that a tooth’s survival rate in a healthy normal mouth over a person’s life time is over 95%:  however, in the presence of Periodontal Disease,  a tooth’s survival rate drops below 60%.  At the office of Dr. Mark Freeman & Associates, we classify a tooth which has lost 40 % or more of it supporting bone as being “Questionable” or perhaps “Hopeless”.

With the help and dedication of the patient, Periodontal Disease can be arrested, and teeth with “Questionable” support  can often be maintained for many years.  This requires a major shift in the way the patient thinks about their teeth, oral hygiene and dental care.  If the patient  accepts treatment and is willing to make changes, the life span of their periodontally involved teeth can be extended.   First, a patient with advanced Periodontal Disease will need some level of Scaling and Root Planing.  This can be done either at our Dental Office or the Periodontist (gum specialist) depending on what the Doctor believes will get the best results.  Often called Quadrant Scaling, the patient is given anesthesia and each tooth is scaled to the bottom of the periodontal pocket, removing all hardened plaque bacteria.  Once debridement is complete, the Doctor may choose to place an anti-microbial agent, such as Arestin, in the deep pockets to prevent new bacterial growth and assist the gum tissue in reattaching to the root structure.

After  Quadrant Scaling, it is up to the patient to increase their home care.  Correct brushing and flossing methods are taught to the patient to keep the newly cleaned surfaces free of food debris and plaque.  This is often where the treatment is most vulnerable to failure.  The patient has had years of poor dental habits which created their Periodontal Disease, and now it is necessary for them to perform aggressive home care  practically overnight.  At our office, we recommend the SoniCare Toothbrush to help with this learning curve.  Properly used, it aids the patient in removing food debris, plaque and stain from the teeth and helps to flush out the gingival pockets by pulsating fluid downward with a sonic wave.  Many other devices can be recommended to the patient for cleaning their teeth, but at this point it is up to the patient to spend the time and effort to maintain their smile.

To check the patient’s progress and help maintain a better oral condition, patients are placed on a three month periodontal recall .  Patients come in every three months for additional cleanings and to have their periodontal pockets checked.  Questionable teeth are of a particular concern and closely monitored.  Depending on the patients severity and how well they are preforming their home care, they may be kept on a three month cycle or moved to a four month recall.

The primary goal of Periodontal Therapy is to stop the progression of the disease and save tooth structure.  Studies have shown that Patients who invest the time and funds into Periodontal Treatment can prolong the life of their Questionable  teeth.  In a study of 262 patients who accepted Periodontal Scaling and aggressively altered their home care, 88 % of questionable teeth were able to survive for a period of 15 years and more.  This is in comparison to a similar population who declined treatment.  The patient must understand that once the bone support is lost, it is lost for ever.  It is our goal to stop the progression of the disease, to create a more healthy periodontal condition and to maintain the patient at this level.   This will  allow them to keep their natural teeth as long as possible.

For more detail and videos about Periodontal Disease and its treatment, please visit the Your Oral Health page of our Web-Site at RichmondDentalGroup.com.   If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office.

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