What Is Ridge Modification Surgery

  

Periodontal disease can leave you with a smile that is embarrassing and causes you to look older than you are. Fortunately modern dental technology gives you more solutions to fix your smile. "Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease and the amount of bone and tooth loss, it may be recommended that you have a ridge modification procedure completed in order to rebuild your upper or lower jaw," says Dr. Rice.

If this procedure is not completed it can  cause you to look older than you are, and you may also have an indentation in the jaw line near the teeth where you are missing bone. If you already have a difficult time brushing and flossing, this space can create an even more difficult time for you.

Dr. Denine Rice, will complete an oral exam first in order to determine the severity of the situation. Once this has been completed, at your next appointment, the gum will be lifted away from the ridge. This allows Dr. Rice to see the deformity in the bone.   The area is then filled with bone. There are different types of bone grafts that may be used based on your needs and the damage that has been done.

Once the incision is done and the new bone is placed in the correct spot, the incision will be closed up.  Healing will begin quickly, but this procedure does require proper follow-up appointments.

Five Things To Ask Your Periodontist On Your Visit

It can be scary if you have never been referred to a periodontist before. You may not know what to expect and it can seem very overwhelming. So, what should you know before you’re in the chair and a periodontal exam is being completed?

1. Ask how severe your periodontal disease is:

You may think you’re only going to visit once or twice and then you’ll be back on your way to a healthy smile. However, depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, it may take longer to heal your mouth. You may also need more advanced treatments in order to get your smile back to the health you desire.

2. Know approximately how many visits they are recommending:

It is unlikely you have been referred to a periodontist if you only have minor periodontal disease. But you’ll want to know how many visits your periodontist is recommending in order for you to plan ahead financially. 

You’ll also want to be able to make a plan for taking off of work or planning around your busy schedule. Periodontal disease cannot be healed unless you complete all of your treatments and it’s important to do so in the recommended time period as well.

3. Ask what type of technology or procedure they are recommending. There have been several advancements in technology today that can help increase the comfort and healing of your gums. For example, Dr. Rice and

 her team use DentalVibe. It is a technology that assists in numbing the area to be treated by using short vibrating impulses. This allows for a less painful injection. Her team also uses LANAP laser surgery for removing plaque and tartar from the gums. These treatments make a huge difference on the length of healing time and your overall results.

4. Ask about after care instructions:

It is also important to plan ahead for eating and drinking after a periodontal procedure. Periodontal treatment takes time and is a commitment. You don’t want to undo the effects of the procedure by consuming food and drinks right after the procedure that can prevent healing. While your periodontist should cover all of this with you before you leave the office, make sure you have all after care instructions.

5. Know how much it is going to cost:

Your dental insurance may cover some of the cost or none of the cost of your procedure. “Dental insurance is there to help you,” says Dr. Denine Rice,  “but keep in mind most people have no dental insurance benefits at all.” Also ask questions regarding what options are available to help you with your out of pocket portion. Some periodontists have financial plans they can recommend to help you.

Then relax. Your periodontist is there to help restore you to health.

Cookies, Pies and My Teeth, Oh My!

The health of our smile is built on more than just our brushing and flossing habits. We can visit the dentist 

every six months, brush two times and day and floss once a day, however, if you’re consuming large amounts of sugar, carbohydrates and fats you are continuing to do unnecessary damage to your smile. While it may not 

seem important, it is more than just the risk of obesity that you should consider when reaching for the Frito's instead of the celery.

Fruits and vegetables are low in sugar and high in water which helps clean off your teeth. They produce higher levels of saliva and allow for food to be rinsed from the surface of your enamel, while breads, pasta and chips decrease your overall saliva production and increase your risk of periodontal disease, especially if you do not plan to brush and floss right after you consume the five-layer bean dip or the spaghetti and meatballs. 

Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice at Rice Periodontics & Implant Surgery says, “I see thousands of patients a year that have developed severe periodontal disease not only from their overall dental habits but because of their daily negative food habits as well.”  Her responsibility is to educate patients on the importance of taking care of their whole body, not just their gums.  “While you may increase your healthy dental habits, if you do not change your food habits too, you may wind up right back where you started, in the dental chair with periodontal disease,” adds Dr.Rice.

Five Tips For Picking Floss

While there are multiple types of floss at the grocery store, not all floss is created equal.  In order to create a positive experience with flossing you want to pick one that fits your needs. If you don’t want to take the time to measure out the right amount of floss, then buy flossers. "If flossers gross you out because the same floss is used between each tooth, then find floss that is waxed or not waxed," says Dr. Denine Rice.

Pick a starting point in your mouth. It does not matter if you begin to floss at the back of your mouth or in the middle. What matters is that you do not forget any teeth. There are some hard to reach spots inside your mouth, however, they are just as important as the front.

Move gently between each tooth reaching each surface. Ramming the floss harshly between your teeth can bruise or damage the gums. "You want to protect them by gliding the floss between your teeth," suggests periodontist Dr. Rice. While we may think that our gums are able to with stand anything they actually are a soft tissue that can be damaged.

If you are using regular floss, you will want to get about eighteen inches of floss and wrap it around your index fingers. You’ll want to leave space between your index fingers as this is the piece that you will use to floss your teeth.

After you finish flossing your teeth Dr. Denine Rice recommends, “Rinse your mouth with a little water or mouthwash. This will help get rid of the food particles and allow you to be ready for your day with fresh breath.”

Flossing Is Your Secret Weapon

Flossing is your weapon against periodontal disease. We know you’re busy and have a hectic schedule, however skipping this important activity just once puts your gums and your body at risk. All it takes is two-three minutes a day to create a fantastic smile.  Dr. Denine Rice says, "no matter whether you are twenty and never flossed or sixty, you can change this habit today." 

Flossing is so important and critical to your smile because it reaches all of the food that gets between the teeth. Food that builds up between the teeth changes into bacteria that then turns into acid and attacks your enamel.  Bacteria weakened enamel creates an opportunity for chips and cracks in your teeth. It also impacts the overall health of your gums. The bacteria go below the gum line creating a pocket that leaves your teeth exposed to disease.

"When you first start flossing you may experience somesensitivity and bleeding," states periodontist Dr. Rice. However, after a few short days of effective regular flossing the bleeding should stop and your gums will be back to being healthy. If you continue to experience bleeding, contact your local periodontist to determine if other treatments are necessary to improve their overall health.

Many people do not realize, your mouth is the window to the health of your body and if your gums are unhealthy you open yourself up to problems throughout your entire body. Don’t let that happen. Starting today get into the habit of flossing.

How Your Gums Are Impacted During The Holiday Season!

 This holiday season don’t let brushing and flossing go to the wayside. We know you’re busy cooking, spending time with family and shopping, but your gums still need your care. Set reminders to brush and floss twice a day if you think your holiday is going to be jam-packed.  It can be easy to forget to pack your toothbrush when you’re rushing to make the six a.m. flight to New York to be with your brother or loved ones. However, the increased food consumption over the holidays and bad eating habits can cause multiple problems for you when you return if you haven’t kept to your normal routine.

            For example, Dr. Denine Rice reports that after the holidays she sees a rise of new patients who have severe dental decay. While your gums and teeth may not be in great shape before the holidays, not taking care of them while you are consuming turkey, stuffing, cranberries, nuts and pumpkin pie makes a bad situation for your gums and teeth even worse. Another one of the treatment areas where periodontist Dr. Denine Rice sees an increase after the holiday is in chipped and broken tooth.  While you’re enjoying the party mixed nuts or hardened foods you may unfortunately chip a tooth below the gum line.  If this situation happens to you, Dr. Rice is able to complete a crown lengthening procedure to help rebuild the area in order for teeth to be replaced.

            While it may seem like a good idea to indulge during the holidays, do your teeth a favor and protect your teeth and gums. And if it’s time to see your dentist, don’t let the holidays allow you to put it off. Call today.

What Does A Periodontist Do?

Your periodontist does more than just scrape the bacteria from your gums. She not only restores the health of your gums, but also increases the overall health of your body. And that’s not all. Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice, can provide bone grafting if necessary to place implants.   Have you found lesions in your mouth? She can evaluate the lesions and complete an extensive oral health exam to make sure your mouth is free of cancerous cells

Dr. Denine Rice is an expert in extreme gum problems.  While your general dentist is able to provide a general cleaning to help reduce the inflammation in the gums, periodontists are trained to use the latest technology in order to get your gum tissue back to a normal and healthy color with reduced inflammation.  

A periodontist is also able to evaluate your options if you have loose teeth due to gum disease. When your gums begin to recede due to gum disease, Inland Empire’s  Top Dentist,Dr. Rice is able to assess all of your options in order to save any teeth if possible. Earlier detection of gum disease can allow for more treatments to save teeth.

Unfortunately, there are times when the tooth decay is extreme or you have loose teeth that cannot be saved. Or perhaps you are missing teeth. Dr. Rice will work with you to evaluate your options for replacing missing teeth. For example, she might recommend bone-grafting surgery that allows her to rebuild the foundation to place implants and restore your beautiful smile.