Treatments provided:
Dental Implants
When you have missing teeth, an alternative solution to dentures is dental implants. While dentures are removable, dental implants provide permanent new teeth to restore your mouth’s function and appearance. Dental implants tend to offer a successful and lasting solution to the loss of some or all of your teeth. To determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, your doctor will use a combination of 2D and 3D scans, a clinical exam, and your medical history. These exams ensure high quality, comprehensive care, safety, and allow us to select the right implant options for you.
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Immediate Implants
The immediate implant procedure begins with a thorough evaluation of your oral health and a discussion of your treatment goals. During the procedure, the damaged tooth is carefully extracted, and a dental implant is immediately placed into the extraction socket. This immediate placement ensures optimal stability and prevents bone and gum tissue loss. In some cases, a temporary crown or bridge can be attached to the implant on the same day, providing you with a functional and aesthetically pleasing tooth replacement. Our experienced dental team utilizes advanced techniques and technologies to ensure a smooth and efficient immediate implant procedure, resulting in a seamless transition to a beautiful new smile.
Full-arch
For years and years, dentures have been the only options for patients suffering from complete tooth loss. With the advancement in research and procedures such as a full arch treatment, these patients have a durable, reliable option to revamp their smile.
A full arch replacement can be achieved with a minimum of four dental implants, which are used to support your custom arch. The precise number and location of implants is carefully planned, depending on the location and the type of full arch restoration needed. All implants are placed at the same time during surgery, reducing the need for multiple procedures. While traditional methods, like dentures, can be movable and must use glue to stay in place, a full arch treatment allows for a permanent replacement of an entire arch of teeth at once. All while eliminating the concern for cavities or tooth pain. Though, full arch treatments do require regular maintenance and cleanings to reduce the risk of implant complications.
Other benefits of the full arch treatment include the prevention of further deterioration, bone preservation, and improved smile confidence. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (256) 289-8440.
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Ridge Augmentation
If an area of bone has deteriorated or if a patient has significant bone loss along the jawline or ridge, we will need to restore the jaw using bone grafts. Placing bone granules at the site of deterioration, your jawline may be restored. This procedure is often needed to allow for placement of dental implants.
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Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is an advanced and delicate form of bone grafting used to restore bone loss or deterioration within the upper molar area of the jaw. We will carefully access your sinus cavity, gently raise the sinus membrane, and place the bone granules underneath providing you with adequate bone volume in this area once healed. This procedure may be needed to allow for placement of dental implants in that area.
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Gum Grafting
Gum grafting treatment for receding gums works best for patients who are suffering from more extensive gum loss or have risk factors for future gum loss. This procedure can help repair the damaged area of the gums and work to prevent further gum tissue loss. In addition to helping prevent further recession, gum graft treatment can better protect the roots of the teeth from decay by giving the patient more gum line, and reduce tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
During a gum graft procedure, the patient doesn’t feel a thing as we use a local anesthetic to keep them pain-free. After the operation, the patient may experience some soreness and slight discomfort, which can be effectively treated with a combination of rest, cold compresses, and, if needed, prescription medication. With proper care, the gum graft will protect the previously exposed root and serve as a healthier gum line, restoring your smile and confidence.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove cells or a tissue sample so that it can be analyzed for any abnormalities. Your doctor may want to proceed with a biopsy to identify any unknown or unusual areas found.
In dentistry, it is common to examine tissue from the gums, bone, and teeth for any signs of disease or infection. An oral
biopsy is commonly used to identify forms of oral cancer. This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure with the help of a fine needle or scalpel. Local anesthetics or topical creams are administered to the area in concern. If in a difficult to reach area, a general anesthetic may be required. In some cases, a sample can be drawn from a needle inserted into the lesion, in others however, the entire removal may be recommended. After the biopsy has been completed, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for testing.
You can expected soreness in your biopsy area for a few days following the procedure. Other commonly reported side effects include bleeding and swelling, both of which should subside within 2-3 days.
Any unexplained lesions should be looked at by your doctor. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (256) 289-8440.
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Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are a more in-depth, thorough cleaning treatment recommended for patients who are suffering from periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, this type of gum infection is caused by bacteria and plaque forming on your teeth over time and causing inflammation. While serious, periodontal disease is treatable. However, it can lead to bone or tooth loss if not treated.
After the scaling is complete, we will move onto root planing. The root planing technique is used to smooth out the tooth’s root and ultimately remove the pocket caused by bacteria. When the root has been effectively smoothed, the gums can be reattached and have a greater chance of fully healing.
Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure and increased sensitivity after the treatment is complete, but with a personalized treatment plan, we can help manage any discomfort and pain. Moving forward, practicing good oral hygiene is paramount for making sure that periodontal disease doesn’t become worse after seeking initial treatment at our office.
Periodontal Maintenance
Here at Huntsville Periodontal and Implant Specialists, we are proud to offer periodontal maintenance.
Periodontal maintenance is a procedure that is done to clean your teeth thoroughly. It is very important to stop periodontal disease from getting any worse.
Periodontal maintenance cleans any tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth. It helps your teeth to look better and will also improve your breath! Your doctor will recommend a maintenance schedule based on your individual risk factors.
During a maintenance cleaning, we remove any tartar and plaque buildup above and below your gums. This includes your gum pockets and underneath your gum line. We also remove bacteria. In bad cases of periodontal disease, we may medicate your teeth (and gum pockets) with an antibiotic or antimicrobial gel. We also use this time to take radiographs and get a clear view of your teeth and gums.
If you are due for a maintenance cleaning or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (256) 289-8440.
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Osseous surgery
Osseous surgery refers to a variety of surgical procedures that are used to gain access to the tooth roots to treat advanced forms of periodontal disease. These surgeries are performed when the disease has begun to destroy the tissue and bone surrounding the teeth and other treatment methods have been ineffective.
There are a number of goals for osseous surgery. These include:
- Reducing the spread of bacteria: Bacteria found in the mouth can spread to various parts of the body, causing infection. The regular removal and treatment of oral bacteria will greatly decrease the risk of infection.
- Halting and preventing bone loss: The immune system responds to bacteria by means of bone loss, which can in turn cause tooth loss. Osseous surgery techniques help stop this from occurring.
- Maintaining easier homecare: One of the main goals of osseous surgery is to reduce pocket size, which makes it much easier to perform regular oral hygiene practices such as daily brushing and flossing.
Prior to surgery, your dentist will perform scaling and root planing to ensure the teeth are as clean as possible. A local anesthetic is then administered near the affected area to minimize any pain. Small incisions are then made in the gums to gain access to the roots of the teeth as well as the bone. With this access, your dentist with then work to reshape and reform the bone to fit your periodontal needs. Sometimes removal of bone or bone grafting may be necessary to create the normal rise and fall structure of the bone. The gum tissue is then gently placed back over the roots and the incisions are closed. Your dentist may then administer a cleansing mouthwash followed by pain medication. Some bleeding and swelling may occur post-surgery. This is normal and can be maintained by standard, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and an ice pack.
It is vital to practice meticulous, daily oral hygiene at home to maintain the results from your surgery and help prevent the need for any further actions.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Guided tissue regeneration is a regenerative procedure that stimulates the growth of new gum tissue and bone support lost due to periodontal disease (gum disease). By using special membranes or grafts, we create a barrier that promotes the growth of specific tissues, allowing for the regeneration of healthy periodontal structures and the preservation of your natural smile. This may be done to help certain types of defects created in the bone around teeth by periodontal disease.
Frenectomy
Here at Huntsville Periodontal and Implant Specialists, we are proud to offer the procedure known as a frenectomy.
It is always our goal to give you a smile you can be proud of. Many people have a frenum, which often presents as extra gum and tissue between the upper front teeth. Because of this, their front teeth have a gap between them, and sometimes it’s a very noticeable one.
After a thorough examination, we will discuss the best time to perform the procedure. We may have to put braces on to pull your teeth together before the frenectomy. We may also talk about using a retainer to help hold your teeth together after we perform the procedure. Sometimes, this frenum causes pulling that makes gum recession worse, making this procedure important for keeping gum tissue around teeth.
If you have any questions about frenectomies or would like to discuss the gap between your teeth, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (256) 289-8440.
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Orthodontic Uncovery
Orthodontic uncovery is a procedure used to expose impacted teeth that have not fully erupted. By removing gum and bone tissue, we uncover the impacted tooth, allowing orthodontic treatment to guide it into the correct position for optimal alignment and function.
Crown lengthening
Crowns are commonly used dentistry tools which fit onto a natural tooth to assist with any structural or aesthetic issues. The crown must be able to adhere firmly to a surface of the natural tooth, and in some cases may need some assistance. This is where crown lengthening comes in. In situations such as extreme decay or significant chipping, the crown will need lengthening to properly fit to the damaged tooth. Sometimes, bone and gum cover too much of the teeth, leading to a “gummy smile,” one of the common indications for esthetic crown lengthening.
Crown lengthening is performed as an outpatient procedure at your dentist’s office. It is performed with local anesthetics, and in some cases a mild sedative as well. This will depend on the severity of the damage surrounding the problem area and the length of your procedure. The dentist will first thoroughly clean the area before removing the excess gum and bone. Small sutures are used to secure the area upon completion of the process.
Following the crown lengthening, you may experience some pain, swelling, and minimal bleeding. Your doctor may prescribe a pain medication to help with this. After a few weeks, your doctor will evaluate your healing process, which will be completed within 2-6 months, depending on location and type of crown lengthening.
Properly fitting crowns allow for better oral hygiene, reduce gum swelling, and improve bone health. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (256) 289-8440.
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Cone Beam 3D Imaging
Our Cone Beam 3D Imaging machine offers our patients images quickly. Our dentists are able to diagnose our patients better, catching problems sooner than they would be able to with only traditional imaging. It allows us to view your teeth, roots, airways, and even sinuses in less than ten seconds.
By using Cone Beam 3D imaging, we are able to diagnose and treat our patients more comprehensively.
Extractions
An extraction is performed to remove a tooth, whether because of disease, crowding, or damage. When extractions are required, the area around the tooth will be numbed and your dentist will remove the tooth. Your doctor may recommend a bone graft at the time of extraction, often called a “socket conversion” or “socket graft.” This may be done to prepare the site for a dental implant, or to prevent bone defects at the site.
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