Periodontist Rochester, MN

Oral medicine is a non-surgical branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders occurring in the orofacial region. Dentists who specialise in oral medicine use a multi-disciplinary approach to managing oral disorders in medically complex patients. These may include various oral abnormalities like ulcers or growths in the mouth, salivary gland disorders, oral infections, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems, taste and smell disorders, and different types of facial pain.

While oral medicine is a non-surgical field, there are several procedures performed by oral medicine specialist; the most common ones include but are not limited to –

• Examination of oral and facial structures for the diagnosis of conditions that may or may not be associated with underlying medical disorders.
• Ordering diagnostic imaging tests like dental X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs and using them to interpret appropriate findings in oral disorders.
• Performing hard tissue and soft tissue biopsies include removing a small amount of specimen to obtain diagnostic results.
• Prescribing medications for the treatment of a wide range of conditions.
• Minor surgical procedures like excision of small sections of soft tissue (including biopsies) or therapeutic injections to treat different oral conditions.

An oral medicine specialist is an expert in oral manifestations of systemic medical conditions and works with dentists to provide oral healthcare to patients with complex medical disorders. In addition to this, oral medicine specialists also work closely with healthcare professionals from various fields to provide them with insight and assistance in the management of various systemic conditions.

You can visit us at our Rochester location and consult with our oral medicine experts for a detailed follow-up of your oral health.

Plastic surgery in dentistry is a concept foreign to most people. However, periodontists, or dentists specialising in the care of gums, have long been referred to as the plastic surgeons of the dental world. Periodontists are experts in not just treating your gum disease, but are also adept at improving the appearance of your smile through surgical enhancements of your teeth and gums.

Periodontal plastic surgery is mainly concerned with the regeneration and reconstruction of diseased, damaged, or missing gum and bone tissue around the tooth. Some of the common plastic surgery procedures performed by periodontists include –

• Crown lengthening in people who have an uneven gum line or a gummy smile is characterized by excessive gum tissue covering the teeth. The procedure involves shaping the gums by removing excess tissue to expose more of the tooth crown when the patient smiles.
• Graft surgery on exposed tooth roots or teeth that appear longer than they are due to receding gums. Gum recession usually occurs in older patients, but may also be seen in younger patients due to various causes, the most common of which is periodontal disease.
• Ridge augmentation in people who have lost the structural integrity of their jawbone due to loss of teeth. This includes using grafts and regenerative techniques to augment bone quality and quantity before any measures can be taken to replace the missing tooth/teeth.

While periodontal plastic surgery often forms a part of cosmetic dentistry, unlike many cosmetic dentistry procedures, periodontal plastic surgeries are irreversible in nature.

We will be glad to assist you with the periodontal plastic surgery at our Rochester location. To know more about the surgery, call us at 507-288-1338.

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most common dental problems affecting more than half of the American population today. While the periodontal disease usually begins as mild gingivitis, characterized by mildly inflamed gums that may bleed occasionally, it can worsen over time and lead to a more severe form of the disease. Chronic periodontal disease is associated with pain, bleeding gums, and loss of bone support around the tooth, which can eventually lead to loss of the tooth.

The primary cause for the development of periodontal disease is the build-up of plaque around the tooth and gums. Plaque is teeming with bacteria, which, if allowed to accumulate, can cause infection and elicit an inflammatory reaction from the gums, leading to gum disease. Other causes like hormonal imbalances occurring in the body during puberty and pregnancy and medications that may reduce the production of saliva in the mouth have also been linked to an increased risk of periodontal disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing plaque from accumulating is one of the top ways to prevent periodontal disease.

Extensive research has shown that periodontal disease may be linked to a wide variety of medical conditions. Heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory diseases may be worsened in the presence of chronic periodontal disease, with the possibility of these medical conditions worsening pre-existing periodontal disease as well. Chronic smoking and tobacco chewing habits, crowding of teeth, habitual teeth grinding, and clenching can all be predisposing factors that worsen periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can become a debilitating condition if left unchecked. Head to the Periodontal Specialists clinic in Rochester, MN, and schedule an appointment with our expert dental team today for a healthier smile.

Periodontal plastic surgery is mainly concerned with the regeneration and reconstruction of diseased, damaged, or missing gum and bone tissue around the tooth. Some of the common plastic surgery procedures performed by periodontists include –

• Crown lengthening in people who have an uneven gum line or a gummy smile, which is characterized by excessive gum tissue covering the teeth. The procedure involves shaping the gums by removing excess tissue, to expose more of the tooth crown when the patient smiles.
• Graft surgery on exposed tooth roots or teeth that appear longer than they are due to receding gums. Gum recession usually occurs in older patients, but may also be seen in younger patients due to various causes, the most common of which is periodontal disease.
• Ridge augmentation in people who have lost the structural integrity of their jawbone due to loss of teeth. This includes using grafts and regenerative techniques to augment bone quality and quantity before any measures can be taken to replace the missing tooth/teeth.

While periodontal plastic surgery often forms a part of cosmetic dentistry, unlike many cosmetic dentistry procedures, periodontal plastic surgeries are irreversible in nature.

We will be glad to assist you with the periodontal plastic surgery at our Rochester location. To know more about the surgery, call us at 507-288-1338.

Dental implants serve as a fixed and permanent solution for one or more missing teeth in the mouth. A dental implant consists of a framework made from a biocompatible metal or ceramic, which is drilled into the jawbone in place of the missing tooth root. The implant is then topped with an artificial tooth that takes the place of the missing tooth in the mouth.

Dental implants fuse into the surrounding jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. This allows the dental implant to function as a fixed and stable system to support artificial teeth. Compared to conventional means of tooth replacement options like dentures and bridges, dental

implants offer several advantages –

• Dental implants do not move or shift in the mouth, which allows the patient to eat, talk, and smile without needing to worry about their dentures falling out or any other discomfort.
• Since dental implants are placed in the jawbone, they preserve the bone structure and, in turn, help maintain the shape of the face.
• With the right care and maintenance, dental implants can last almost a lifetime and do not require frequent replacements like dentures and bridges.
• Dental implants can be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth. Patients who have no teeth can opt for dentures mounted on multiple dental implants in the upper and lower arch.

This helps them have more secure fitting dentures compared to the conventional kind. The presence of good bone support and healthy gums are a prerequisite for getting dental implants. Visit Periodontal Specialists in Rochester, MN, and book a consultation to understand whether you’re a suitable candidate for a dental implant procedure.

The use of laser therapy in dentistry continues to rise in popularity among both dentists and patients alike. Lasers have been widely used by medical professionals for decades to treat a variety of conditions and were introduced in dentistry to overcome some of the limitations posed by conventional dental procedures.

Dental laser therapy essentially incorporates the use of a concentrated beam of light energy that can target specific areas of dental tissue for a variety of procedures like:

• Treatment of gum disease
• Minor oral surgeries
• Removing tooth decay and preparing the tooth cavity
• Treatment of canker sores and oral sores

Dental laser therapy is still far from completely replacing conventional methods of dental treatment.

However, it serves as a useful adjunct to routine dental procedures and has a wide range of benefits compared to traditional dental treatments such as –

• Minimal trauma to surrounding tissues, with minimal to no need for stitches on procedures performed on soft tissues.
• Lesser trauma amounts to reduced healing times of the surgical sites, with higher chances of tissue repair and regeneration.
• Laser therapy also helps in the coagulation of blood in the areas it is used, which results in minimal bleeding during surgical procedures.
• Dental treatments done using laser therapy are almost painless, which reduces the need for anesthesia in most cases.
• Since lasers also sterilize the area they are being used in, chances of postoperative infection are less likely in procedures done using laser therapy.

Dental laser therapy is especially beneficial for patients who are prone to have dental anxiety. Replacement of conventional dental instruments with dental lasers can help put patients at more ease when getting dental work done.

Visit Periodontal Specialists at our Rochester office to experience the best dental laser therapy near you and grasp the advantages of choosing laser dentistry for you and your family. The aim of our experts at Periodontal Specialists is to meet the needs of our patients through the best diagnosis and treatments. If you are concerned about your periodontal health, a referral is not mandatory. Please call our office directly at 507-288-1338. We are delighted to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.