Happy Smile Can Equal A Healthy Life

Dr. Denine Rice suggests a diagnostic assessment if you have not been to see her before. This way she can determine the best options to get you smile you deserve. If you have been feeling tired, sluggish or not just yourself, you may be surprised to find that your body is being impacted by periodontal disease. Dr. Rice has a full spectrum of services to prevent, diagnose and treat periodontal disease so you can enjoy a healthy, long-lasting smile.

You may think is normal for your gums to bleed when your brush and floss. Or when you look in the mirror and you smile back at yourself, and see those puffy and swollen gums, you may shake it off and think, they have been likes this for a while. It is important to not ignore the signs of periodontal disease because you deserve the best smile you can have. The treatment options may include laser periodontal procedures, traditional periodontal surgery, or if caught early on,, non-surgical treatment, but once the periodontal disease is treated you may have other options that can restore your smile back to healthy.

Dr. Rice may recommend gum graft surgery in order to repair gums that have receded due to periodontal disease, or other treatments that can help restore your smile The latest technology is at Dr. Denine Rice’s fingertips; all you have to do is call.

For more information on how to get a healthier smile, contact Dr. rice and her team today.

Why Laser Procedures for Periodontal Disease May Be a Great Fit for You

If you have visited your dentist lately and they are concerned about periodontal disease, Dr.Denine Rice recommends taking time to look at whether dental laser surgery is right for you. Not only does laser dental surgery help decrease your overall dental pain, you have a shorter recovery time as well.  Traditional periodontal surgery would require your gums to be cut, areas scraped and then tissue sutured. Usually you could expect to be out of work for a day to several and some patients struggled to complete daily activities due to pain.

But now there is an awesome alternative to this problem. Laser periodontal procedures use thin lasers to remove bacteria from below the gum line. Once the laser has removed the plaque and the decay, Dr. Denine Rice will move to the next quadrant. No need for sutures because there is nothing to cut. No need for longer recovery time because using lasers allows for very little swelling and problems. In fact, most people go back to work the very next day if not a few hours later.

While laser surgery may not be the right fit for everyone, enjoy a consultation today with Dr. Rice & her team in order to determine if this is the right fit for you.

Why Gingivitis Should Not Be Left Untreated

Sometimes, when you visit the periodontist, you may not know why it’s important to take care of mild periodontal disease, after all it doesn’t seem to be causing problems. Unfortunately periodontal disease, even minor gingivitis, can wreak havoc on the gums, your smile and your body. Once time has passed, if you have not taken care of the problem, it can then turn to a major problem. Periodontal disease can impact your heart, lungs, and the rest of your body.

“Gingivitis which is the term used for mild periodontal disease has symptoms such as bleeding when you brush or floss,” says Dr. Denine Rice. Any bleeding at all when you brush or floss is not a positive sign and should be taken care of as soon as possible. The sooner you take care of the problem the less likely you are to lose teeth, need major dental work, or to have swollen and puffy gums.

Once you have been diagnosed with gingivitis, schedule an appointment with Dr. Rice and her team for a consultation on which procedure is going to be most appropriate to get your smile back into working order.

5 Things To Expect When You Visit The Periodontist

It can be a bit scary and overwhelming when you have been referred to a periodontist. Your gums may be bleeding or you may have lost a tooth or two. A referral is usually made when your dentist is recommending you receive a laser periodontal evaluation or  perio therapy in order to get the periodontal disease under control. But there is no reason to be nervous, here are five things to expect from your visit.

The periodontist will review your health history. This is easy enough. They want to make sure you have not had any hospitalizations or are taking any medications they are not aware of. They may spend some time going over your medical history with you if there is anything you have marked.

Dr. Denine Rice and her team will review the x-rays that were sent over from your dentist. By evaluating the x-rays that already have been taken it will allow them to evaluate what your current needs are.

After this is done there will be an exam. An exam is simply a look at your gums in order for the periodontist to get a really good idea of what type of treatment you are going to need and whether you really need to have laser surgery or whether something else can be done instead.

Once your exam is over, there will be time for a consultation. During this time, the doctor will outline the plan for you. You’ll talk about whether you’re a candidate for laser surgery, what to expect if you have laser surgery and healing time after the procedure.

Finally, you’ll get an estimate of the cost and schedule your next appointment. Then you will be on your way and ready to get the healthy gums you deserve. For more information on laser periodontal procedures, contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team today.

Holiday Restorative Procedures To Cosmetically Improve Your Smile

People think of the holidays as a time to take care of other people. To give loved ones a gift they have been wanting or to enjoy a meal with family. This year, give yourself the gift of restoring your smile back to its natural and beautiful self. While the holidays are happening it is a great time to take a little time away from it all and ensure your smile is holiday photo ready. Some cosmetic procedures that restore your smile can drastically change the look of your smile in a day.

“Periodontal laser surgery helps to decrease the visible signs of gum disease by eliminating the bacteria that may be causing your gums to be swollen and bleed,” says Dr. Denine Rice.  The fine laser goes beneath the gum line but does not require the gums be cut away from the teeth, as with traditional periodontal surgery. Most patients are in and back to their lives in a day.

When you smile if gums cover your teeth causing them to look short and uneven, a procedure can be completed that helps even out the length of your gums. This procedure may take a little more time to heal, but Dr. Rice, says it’s a great way to improve the cosmetic look of your smile, and to restore your self-confidence.

     For more information on how to improve your smile contact Dr. Rice & her team today.

Is Laser Surgery Safe For Women Who Are Pregnant?

Periodontal disease is an infection that is prevalent in the body. Research suggests that women who are pregnant and have periodontal disease are more likely to have smaller babies and babies who are premature. Dr. Rice states, "anyone who is expecting and has an infection should have a checkup by a periodontist in order to create a plan on how to best support gum health during pregnancy." The great news is, that if you are a candidate for laser surgery, it is safe for women who are pregnant. 

Some individuals may not recommend periodontal surgery for women who are pregnant due to the necessity of local anesthetic. There is good news; most of the time laser periodontal surgery can be done without the need for any anesthetic. 

The laser goes below the gum line, in order to remove bacteria that is below the gum line and causing periodontal disease. This means it can be done without having to cut the gums away from the teeth. This revolutionary breakthrough provides patients with an opportunity to have less pain, less healing time and less of a need for pain medication afterwards. 

Prior to getting laser surgery, talk to your doctor and Dr. Denine Rice to determine if you are a candidate for laser periodontal surgery prior to delivering your baby.  

3 Reasons To Get A Periodontal Cosmetic Procedure

There is still time for you to get the healthy gums you want. While the countdown to the Holidays is occurring, and you may be in the full swing of shopping, don't forget to give yourself the gift of a healthy smile. Dr. Denine Rice says, "it can be easy when you're shopping for everyone around you to forget to take care of you." Don't put off your dental needs any longer. As the year comes to a close you could lose out on dental insurance benefits you have already paid for. This is the perfect time to get the smile you have always wanted. 

During this season, you can take advantage of laser surgery to decrease symptoms of periodontal disease. The longer you put off this necessary procedure the worse the long-term impact can be. While disease starts in your gums, left on its own it can enter your blood stream and impact your heart, liver and overall health.
 

Current research suggests that only 13.5% of people get help with their periodontal disease, (Perio.org). Now there is no reason to wait because once the new year begins dental insurance benefits you've already paid for are gone. Today you can take charge and make the choice to love your gums & achieve a lifetime of smiles. Millions of Americans are negatively impacted by gingivitis and periodontal disease. You don't have to be one of the millions.  

Contact Dr. Rice & her team today for more information.

Laser Surgery Can Save Your Smile

When you hear the word laser surgery, you may be concerned about the price, or the damage that a laser may cause to your gums. It may sound new age, and you may be wondering how a tiny laser can remove bacteria from your gums and improve your dental health. But lasers have been improved and are now getting you the most out of your money when it comes to improving the overall health of your gums.

Having unhealthy gums can cost you more than you think.  If you do not get treatment for periodontal disease, it can lead to major problems and not just tooth loss. Dr. Rice states, “You can begin to lose teeth and bone as your gums begin to pull away from the teeth. Decay and bacteria can also spread through the body causing medical problems as well. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease and liver problems.

Laser periodontal surgery allows a fine laser to go below the gum line and clean out the bacteria without having to cut the gums. This allows for faster recovery time, less time off of work, and more time spending the holidays with family and friends. Laser surgery only requires usually two main appointments as opposed to traditional laser surgery. This also reduces the amount of money to be spent overall on surgery.

Once laser surgery is completed you usually can resume normal activity, and after a few days you can resume normal eating. In order to set up your consultation today for a better smile tomorrow, contact Dr. DenineRice & her team.  

3 Positives To Your Dental Insurance Calendar Year Running Out

The dental year is quickly winding down. You may have insurance benefits you have not used. Whether you were holding onto them because you didn’t want to waste them in the event of a dental emergency, or you just haven’t thought about the fantastic benefit of having dental insurance lately, “You have now come upon a great opportunity,” says Periodontist Dr.Rice.

During this time, you may now be able to take advantage of getting laser surgery for periodontal disease and the insurance benefits can be spread out over two insurance years. Periodontal disease can impact not only your gums and teeth, but it can also negatively impact your entire body.

Dental insurance can also be used to fix and restore your smile. If your gums have receded due to periodontal disease, gum-contouring procedures can many times reshape your gums to allow your teeth to be more even and to enhance your smile. While this procedure may sound cosmetic in nature, lower gums can increase the risk of teeth becoming loose and it may eventually lead to tooth loss.

Fixing missing teeth can improve the overall look of your smile and make a huge difference in the first impression you present. While periodontists work with your gums Dr. Denine Rice is able to also help improve your smile by working on improving the strength of your jawbone to ensure it can hold any dental implants needed to fix missing teeth.

For more information on procedures to improve your smile, contact Dr. Rice & her team today!

Periodontal Laser Surgery After Care

Periodontal laser surgery can reduce the impact of periodontal disease by removing the bacteria from below the gum line without having to cut or suture the gums. Laser surgery allows for faster recovery, and following these four tips will help your gums heal.

1.     Stay on a liquid diet for at least two days and a soft diet for seven to ten days after that. There are blood clots that are formed at the treatment spots. These clots help healing. "Eating hard food can potentially dislodge the clots causing your healing to become derailed,” says Dr. Rice.

2.     Don’t brush and floss until directed to do so. You’ll want to rinse with water, or perioguard, if approved by your periodontist, in order to remove soft foods from the teeth. 

3.     Avoid smoking. If you smoke, you’ll want to quit during the healing process. If you need help on quitting smoking, Dr. DenineRice and her team can suggest smoking cessation products. 

4.     Avoid using a straw. The sucking motion that is used when drinking out of a straw can dislodge the clots at the healing site. Avoid drinking through a straw to cause any problems during the healing process. 

Periodontal laser surgery can help to get your smile back on track. Follow these simple tips to achieve greater dental health.

4 Reasons Why You Don’t Want To Neglect Your Smile

It can be easy to blow off your smile. You may think cosmetic dentistry and taking care of your smile means dealing with a dentist who’s just trying to get your money. But did you know the body and mouth are connected? As the plaque begins to attack the enamel in your teeth, your body begins to fight. 
 
Dr. Rice states, "if you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, your body will begin to think it is sick." In order to kill the infection raging in your mouth, you will feel exhausted even if you get a good night’s sleep.  

While your immune system is kicking into overdrive, unless you take care of the root of the problem, you will continue to feel tired. 
The longer you wait, the bigger the problem you may have. While not brushing and flossing can start off with a little bleeding when you brush, it can quickly turn to a bone loss, inflammation of the gums and decay. 

The loss of a tooth costs more to fix then periodontal laser surgery. "Once a tooth is gone there is no going back, and once you lose one tooth you are more likely to lose more teeth in the upcoming months," states Dr. Denine Rice. As teeth fall out, other teeth will begin to shift into those positions causing you to look older than you are. 
Your smile is the first way to communicate happiness to someone across a room. Less smiling can lead to depression, lack of friends or intimate relationships. Job opportunities can be lost if you have an unhealthy smile. 
 Take time for your smile, call Dr. Rice & her team today for options on how to get your mouth in tip-top shape.  

Periodontal Disease & 4 Ways It Impacts The Body

Most people think that periodontal disease just causes mouth issues – bleeding, swelling, pain, and eventually tooth loss - and that isn’t true. Periodontal disease affects your whole body. How else can it impact your health?

Periodontal disease is inflammation in the gums, but that is not all, it can also cause inflammation that impacts the heart. While a direct link is difficult to establish between heart disease and periodontal disease, research has found that individuals who have periodontal disease are more likely to have heart disease.

Dr. Denine Rice warns patients, “Periodontal disease increases the risk of nutritional deficits.” While the pockets around the teeth begin to deepen, the gums pull away from the teeth. This can cause you to lose teeth or have them break. Once the teeth are gone, it can make it very difficult to consume certain foods, thus decreasing your overall health.

Periodontal disease can increase your risk of having a stroke. A research study conducted by perio.org found that individuals who had strokes were more likely to have had periodontal disease then a control group.

The good news is, that it can be taken care of with laser surgery. The laser that is used is a fine-haired instrument that goes below the gum line and cleans out the bacteria. Dr. Denine Rice says, “Laser surgery helps clear out the bacteria, reducing swelling and bleeding – and best of all there is no cutting, so also no sutures.” Remember, if you leave periodontal disease alone, it can wreak havoc on your entire body, not just your mouth.

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss it is recommended you visit the dentist or periodontist in order to get the problem take care of.

3 Tips Your Periodontist Can Recommend To Save Your Smile

 Your smile is critical, as within seven seconds you make a first impression. The health and look of your smile could be the difference between a promotion and not getting a job at all. Or it may cause you to miss out on meeting that special someone. If your gums have receded and bleed when you brush and floss, you’ll want to visit the periodontist today for a consultation. Here are three ways she can help.

Dr. Rice states, "laser surgery is a fantastic alternative to traditional periodontal surgery." A laser can be utilized in order to go below the gum line and clean out the bacteria. This procedure takes less time then traditional periodontal surgery, and does not require sutures. Once the treatment has occurred it will decrease bleeding and inflammation.

Gum graft surgery can help restore the look of your smile if your gums are uneven and receding. Tissue can be taken from the pallet of your mouth and placed in the locations around the mouth where your gums have receded. This surgery does require some time to heal, but once completed it can restore your smile to a beautiful and healthy look. Then you only need to incorporate a regular brushing and flossing routine for after the procedure.

Dental implants can be a great way of replacing missing or badly cracked teeth. Implants are artificial posts placed into the jawbone, but once restored will look and feel like real teeth. Implants allow you to regain the natural looking smile of your youth. They also require a brushing and flossing routine, and should last a lifetime if they are taken care of.

Call Dr. Rice & her team today for a healthy smile tomorrow.

Your Smile Is Worth It!

You only have one set of gums and teeth, and while you may believe you can replace them, it comes with a cost. Take care of the ones you have is the best advice you can receive.

Dr. Rice states, "periodontal disease is the leading cause of gum recession and missing teeth." It attacks your gums first until they bleed and are swollen. As the disease continues to attack your healthy gums, they pull away from your teeth, which eventually leads to bone loss.  Traditional surgery usually takes several sessions each lasting potentially several hours with recovery time needed after.

LANAP laser surgery can stop periodontal disease in its tracks and help restore your beautiful smile much more easily. This new innovative choice can allow you to return to work usually the same day with minimal damage to your gums. The thin laser goes beneath the gumline in order to get rid of any bacteria, and instead of cleaning one quadrant of your mouth at a time, the LANAP procedure allows the periodontist the option of treating multiple areas in the mouth at one time.  “This procedure usually takes two, two hour sessions,” says periodontist Dr. Denine Rice, “and results in a faster healing time!”

If you have a referral to the periodontist, sit down and listen to the options presented and remember, while keeping your teeth is an investment, it’s an investment into your health.

Don’t wait for your beautiful smile!

Is Laser Surgery A Good Option For Me

            Laser surgery is a viable option for most individuals who have periodontal disease. While some periodontists may use traditional methods for treating periodontal disease, laser treatment is the newest technology that can ensure the health of your mouth. Laser surgery is no cut and no sew - this is an advantage for those who fear the knife. Dr. Denine Rice says, “If you want fast healing then laser surgery is the way to go.”

            Laser surgery allows you can get back to your life quickly. When using a laser instead of traditional surgery, the laser penetrates the gums without doing damage to the soft tissue. This also means that patients do not typically experience swelling and pain after laser surgery. 

            Periodontal disease leads to bone loss, which leads to tooth loss. Laser surgery can treat the disease and get you back to being healthy quickly.  The worse part of periodontal disease is that it can impact your overall health, as the disease spreads to your other organs. By cleaning the debris from under your gums and taking care of the disease you can get back to your lifestyle.

            There are a variety of options for getting your gums back to a healthy state. Talk to Dr. Denine Rice and her team today to make sure you have all the facts. Laser surgery can be the option you’ve been waiting for.

Should I Have Laser Surgery

Time has allowed for new and improved options to support the health of your mouth. One of those valuable procedures is called LANAP laser surgery and is used by a periodontist when a patient has periodontal disease. While periodontal disease is not one hundred percent reversible, the results are very promising and it increasing the health of your mouth more than traditional root scaling and planing.

LANAP laser surgery allows for the pulses of a laser to go below the gum line and kill harmful bacteria. After your periodontal specialist will remove plaque build-up. There are no sutures required and very little bleeding. While patients may have been out of work for a few days with traditional periodontal surgery, most are returning to work the same or next day. Healing time is significantly reduced and Dr. Rice, one of Inland Empire’s top rated dentists, is seeing phenomenal results.

“Traditional periodontal surgeries required the patient to be numb in order for the periodontist to cut open their gums,” says Dr. Denine Rice. “LANAP laser surgery does not require cutting.  The surgery itself usually takes about two-one hour sessions and does not involve a numbing agent. Traditional surgery could last as long as eight to ten hours between all of the sessions.

The laser that is used has three fine hairs on the end of it. They are so small they can seamlessly fit between the gums and the tooth. You may not even know the procedure as started because they are so delicate. And while you may think the procedure sounds costly, it is actually comparable to the more traditional surgery.

Call Dr. Rice and her team today to find out more!

Dental Surgery vs. LANAP

       

Periodontal surgery is a process where gum tissue is detached from the teeth in order to clean out the bad bacteria all the way to the root. “Pain and recovery time is generally a part of this process,” says periodontist Dr.Rice. This process usually requires multiple visits that can be up to two hours each time as each quadrant of the mouth is done separately. This procedure also requires anesthetic in order to numb the area. Root scaling may be the first step, however if the periodontal disease is more severe you may need further appointments with surgery.

Once the gum tissue is separated from the tooth, the periodontist will use an ultrasonic tool or other scraping tool in order to go below the gum line and remove bad bacteria. Then the gum is reattached using sutures. Once your surgery is done, you will be sent on your way usually with instruction to rinse until your next appointment for the next quadrant. Once all four quadrants have been cleaned out you will be set up with regular visits until your gums are considered healthy again.

“There are pros and cons to every procedure,” suggests Dr. Rice, periodontist at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery, “With traditional periodontal surgery there is a high rate of success and there may be a lower cost initially than LANAP. However the LANAP protocol has a high success rate as well and several other benefits, such as reduced healing time.”.

While a patient diagnosed with periodontal disease will always have periodontal disease, patients who have undergone LANAP surgery tend to have a higher rate of success and some patients have even been fortunate enough to have gum tissue reattach to the teeth,  which reduces the amount of bacteria that will enter the pockets in the future.