Our Services
Chattanooga Periodontist
Our Chattanooga periodontist offers treatments and services for both children and adults. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a common condition among adults. It is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone which causes your gums to become inflamed and bleed easily. If left untreated, the condition can result in tooth loss. The 3 stages of gum disease are:
- Gingivitis – earliest stage, caused by plaque and bacterial buildup around the gum line
- Periodontitis – occurs if gingivitis is left untreated, causing “pockets” to form between teeth and gums
- Advanced periodontitis – final stage of gum disease, when “pockets” are deeper and may result in tooth loss
We treat periodontal disease through the following methods:
Root Planing and Scaling
The first step in treating periodontal disease is a deep cleaning where tartar and plaque above and below the gum line are scaled or scraped away. The rough spots on the tooth are then made smooth. This process will help the gums to shrink and eliminate the periodontal pockets.
Gum Removal (Osseous Surgery)
When periodontal pockets form around a tooth (or teeth), it is important to create a clean environment in order to retain the tooth rather than lose it. Osseous surgery, or flap surgery, is performed when these pockets have not responded to other treatments. This procedure to treat periodontal disease retracts the gums and removes the infection and “pockets”.
Ridge Augmentation & Preservation
Ridge augmentation is a common procedure used to help recreate the natural contour of the gums, and may be performed to avoid bacterial gum infections, or for aesthetic purposes following tooth loss.
Sinus Lift
After a patient loses teeth in the upper premolar or molar areas of the jaw, it is often necessary to perform a sinus lift prior to placing dental implants. When there is insufficient bone to secure the dental implant to, this procedure helps to move the sinus away from the roots of the teeth and/or to create additional bone in the area.
Implants
Dental implants are a comfortable, attractive solution for tooth replacement, regardless of how many teeth are lost to tooth decay, injury, or gum disease. As opposed to dentures, which rest on the gums, implants are surgically implanted into the jaw.
Fixed Dentures on Implants
All-on-4® dental implants provide greater oral health advantages over traditional dentures. Four implants provide immediate functionality, usually with no need for bone grafting, with a shorter recovery period. Issues such as slippage and bone deterioration can be eliminated. Enjoy eating and speaking again with no more removable appliances.