Treatment For Periodontal Disease

There are a few different treatment options that may be suggested when you first visit a periodontist. Periodontal disease is when bacteria build up below the gum line. If your general dentist has recommended you see a periodontist you have what is referred to as periodontal disease. This is an advanced bacteria disease where the pocket depths are deep and the general dentist or hygienist is no longer able to assess the health of your teeth.   As the disease worsens the depth of the pocket also increases. 

            Your periodontist may recommend a non-surgical procedure called root scaling and planning or they may advise you to have periodontal surgery. Periodontal surgery is when the periodontist cuts open the gum tissue, pulls it back and scrapes the bacteria and tarter that is below the gum line. When they are finished they will put the gum back in place and suture the gum. This procedure can be very painful, require sutures and results in bleeding, along with many times, down time from work.  After you have periodontal surgery your periodontist will give you instructions to take care of your gums while they are healing. Remember you will need to go back to the periodontist in order for them to finish the other quadrants.

            An alternative method to traditional surgery is called LANAP laser surgery. Dr.Rice and her team have yielded very positive results from this type of therapy. To learn more, call them today.

How Do I Prevent Bone Loss?

Bone loss occurs when bacteria, over time, continue to attack the gum tissue and the pocket between your tooth and gums becomes deeper. The gums in a healthy mouth are like a tight sleeve that fit around your teeth.  “When you have advanced periodontal disease your gums pull away from the teeth,” says Dr. Denine Rice, the  periodontist at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery in Riverside, CA. “Once this occurs, your tissue will not fit tightly and you may begin to loose some of your teeth.”

Your jaw is a bone that’s growth is stimulated by chewing movement. According to one of Inland Empire’s top dentists, Dr. Rice, “Once you have lost some of the teeth the amount of stimulation that your jaw has also begins to decrease.” On average an individual loses more than one tooth at a time due to advanced periodontal disease, this causes even less stimulation for the jaw. This decreased stimulation leads to bone loss in the jaw, which not only means tooth loss, but may also impact you ability to comfortably wear dentures or be a candidate for implants.  

To prevent this from occurring begins with proper oral care. Brushing your teeth twice a day is critical to the prevention of bone loss. As bacteria build up on the teeth it hardens and becomes tarter. Tarter that stays on the teeth attacks the enamel. By brushing your teeth twice a day, food is removed from the surface of the teeth preventing this build-up.

Flossing is the second most important habit. While at first when you are flossing your gums may bleed, over time your gums will become tougher. As they toughen up and you fight early signs of gingivitis, they will stop bleeding and become healthy again.

Dr. Denine Rice says, “You want to make sure to keep your six-month cleaning appointments.” At these visits your dentist can check for more serious conditions however, they also are able to provide a more thorough cleaning to scrape off any tarter build-up you may have missed.

Prevention is the key to preventing bone loss~

Five Facts You Should Know Before You Have Periodontal Surgery:

It can be scary to learn you have advanced periodontal disease. Recently periodontal disease has been linked to heart concerns, and Alzheimer’s. You may also worry that you will become a product of judgment because of tooth loss. However, some of this nervousness can be resolved by knowing what to expect and knowing what information to ask your periodontist before treatment begins.

1. What method of periodontal surgery are they going to use?

With growing technology there are some dentists that are using LANAP. This is laser surgery that removes plaque and bacteria from below the gum line with a tiny laser. Dr.Denine Rice says, “There is little pain, no sutures, and very little bleeding.” Traditional surgery means  the periodontist must cut away the gum from the bone and scrap the bacteria out. Once this procedure is completed, your gums are reattached using sutures. The periodontist will many times complete this procedure in two to four visits. No matter which procedure your periodontist uses, you will want to be informed.

2. How long before I can return to work?

Depending on how advanced your periodontal disease is and the method that the periodontist uses will depend on your recovery time. LANAP laser surgery does not cause as much trauma to the gums. Therefore, your recovery time will be less than traditional periodontal surgery procedures.

3.  How much bleeding should I expect?

Again depending on the procedure that is used, will determine how much bleeding or pain to expect after the procedure. While traditional periodontal surgery can cause more discomfort and higher levels of bleeding, laser surgery does not require the gums to be cut therefore, you should have very little bleeding after the procedure.

4. Will my periodontal disease be gone after surgery?

Periodontal disease may never go away completely.  Dr. Denine Rice has seen amazing results with the laser for the reversal of gum disease. Her and her team will provide extensive care to you in order to get your gums back to a healthy state.

5. How much of my procedure will be covered by insurance?

While your private dental insurance may pay for some of your procedure, (dental insurance is a benefit that most individuals do not have) there is never a guarantee of payment. The team at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery, as a courtesy, will work with your insurance to provide you with an estimate of what they believe your portion of cost will be. Generally speaking, your dental insurance may cover part of the procedure and some of the follow up visits.

To learn more, visit their website at www.RicePeriodontics.com

The Dangerous Consequences

Of Smokeless Tobacco

A multitude of research studies have shared the dangers of tobacco on the body and your oral health. However, studies have also found that even smokeless tobacco negatively influences the oral health of the individuals that use it.

There are multiple types of smokeless tobacco including snuff, dip and chew. None are healthier than the other. Usually an individual pinches off an amount and places it between the lip and the check or the front lip. The tobacco enters the body through the mouth and down the throat, even though it is not swallowed.

"Smokeless tobacco has been linked to oral cancer and esophagus cancer," says Dr. Denine Rice one of Inland Empire's top periodontists. However, it can also impact the gums and roots of the teeth.  If you already are impacted with negative oral health habits and the roots of your teeth are exposed due to extreme periodontal disease the negative possibilities are even greater.

Ingredients in snuff can vary according to the manufacture. While tobacco growers in other countries are required to list all of their ingredients, the United States does not have this requirement.  There can be varying amounts of TSNA’s, Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines.  “TSNA’s are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke,” (About Health.)

If you notice white lesions in the mouth, you will want to visit your Riverside, California periodontist, Dr. Rice and her team.  It is not a good idea to assume that these lesions are noncancerous.

Betel Quid

Smokeless Tobacco

There are a variety of types of smoke less tobacco including a type called betel quid. It is also called gutka, ghutka, or gutkha and dip. While some individuals may think that betel quid does not have negative consequences to your oral health, in fact research suggests that there are multiple negative consequences to this type of tobacco. 

Betel quid is a combination of betel leaf, areca nut, and slaked lime. In some countries individuals combine these ingredients with tobacco. There may also be other ingredients and flavorings added to this such as spices and sweeteners.

"No matter what is added there are consequences to individuals who use betel quid," says Dr. Rice. It has been tied to a variety of cancers including esophagus cancer and other oral cancers. The tobacco can cause white lesions in the mouth called leukoplakia.  These white spots do not come off when you brush.

An individual may also develop OSF, or Oral submucous fibrosis. If you have this condition you may notice a precancerous lesion that hardens the soft pink tissue that lines the inside of the mouth. Dr. Denine Rice says, "The lesion can impact your ability to open your mouth and may require surgery in order to cut the bands."

Some individuals say they use betel quid as a way to relax, unfortunately this substance when used is not a healthy habit. Once it is placed in the mouth and between the lips, the toxic substance mixes with your saliva and negatively impacts your health. While the cancerous lesions start in the mouth, they can quickly spread to other parts of your body. 

What To Expect After Flap Surgery:

Flap surgery is recommended when your periodontal disease is severe and root scaling and planing is no longer an option.  Once gum recession has begun the tissue does not grow back. More aggressive surgeries may be necessary to cleanup the infection. After Flap surgery is completed you may feel some discomfort because your periodontist has to cut and pull away the gum in order to scrape the bacteria away from the roots.

Once flap surgery alone may not be enough to treat your disease. Other procedures may be necessary to restore your dental health. For example, you may need a procedure called bone grafting. Bone grafting is when bone is removed from one part of your body, sometimes the hip, and placed in the jawbone. When this procedure is completed it allows for a more stable jawbone in order for implants to be fully supported.  While bone grafting is considered a fairly simple procedure it does require a local anesthetic and bone needs to be harvested prior to the appointment.  

If you are missing teeth due to periodontal disease implants maybe the best way to restore full functionality. However, this procedure cannot be completed unless there is enough stable bone. 

After flap and bone graft surgery you may experience some discomfort, swelling and bleeding. It may also take awhile for the bone graft begins to grow. If you experience excessive discomfort or bleeding you should contact Dr. Rice’s office immediately.

Flap Procedure For Periodontal Disease

This procedure used to be recommended when the “periodontal pockets” were too deep and the disease had progressed beyond gingivitis. Periodontal disease progresses when bacteria and plaque build up between the teeth and the gum line. The pocket depth increases and bacteria can begin to attack the root if not taken care of. More severe periodontal surgery methods may become necessary at this point in order to protect the teeth, gums and roots of the teeth.

Flap procedure requires your periodontist to make an incision at the gum line. Once the incision is made they will pull back the gum and scrape out the area that is infected. Once the area is cleaned out they will put the gum back, suture the area and apply a dressing to protect the area. This procedure takes a significant amount of time and can be somewhat uncomfortable afterwards. The amount of time that it will take to complete this procedure depends on how many infected areas you have. This procedure allows the periodontist to have direct contact with the roots of the teeth and below the gum line.

A topical agent may be used by in order to clean up the area and to prevent further infection. It will be placed directly on the inside of the gum before the gum is sutured back in place. Once the procedure is completed you may experience some discomfort, swelling and bleeding.

Periodontist Dr. Rice and her team recommend LANAP surgery instead of this type of surgery because it is not as painful, the recovery time is less and there are no sutures required.

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!

What Is The Bacteria That Is Attacking My Gums

Gingivitis is the silent killer that may be damaging the health of your gums. Individuals usually don’t know they have it until they visit their dentist. The Washington Post reported in an article in 2013 that eighty-five million Americans do not have adequate dental insurance. This means millions of Americans who may have an opportunity to reverse the effects of gingivitis are missing out on valuable oral health care because they do not have financial assistance. Recognizing that your dental health contributes to your overall health means seeing, "your dentist regularly whether you are insured or not," suggests Dr. Denine Rice. 

Gingivitis is an initial stage of periodontal disease and can be reversed with brushing and flossing routines. When you brush you are removing the plaque build-up that stays on the teeth while flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth. As plaque stays on the teeth, it turns into an acid that attacks the enamel, however, it also can reach below the gum line and cause a “pocket” to develop. As the bacteria gets worse, the pocket depth gets deeper and deeper until it begins to attack the root of the tooth. Your gums will become swollen and they may bleed when you brush or floss. This is not a sign that you should stop brushing and flossing. 

In fact, you should increase your brushing and flossing to twice a day if you are not already doing this and you can also use a mouthwash that has gingivitis fighting agents. While the more advanced stages of periodontal disease are not reversible, gingivitis is. Do not give this disease the ability to diminish the health of your mouth.