Our periodontal and implant services at Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants (SoCO Perio) in Colorado Springs include:
Periodontics
Periodontics encompasses a broad scope of dentistry, treating and restoring damaged and diseased gums to avoid tooth loss.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a permanent solution for replacing a lost tooth, providing full function again and a natural appearance.
Deep Cleaning
A deep cleaning offers an effective solution to remove advanced tartar and plaque buildup below the gum line.
Denture Implants
Similar to dental implants, a denture implant provides a more permanent solution to secure your dentures in place.
Gum Grafting
A gum graft is a procedure to treat damaged or receding gums by adding replacement tissue to the deficient gum line.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is a procedure that adds, removes, or alters the shape of your gum line to achieve a more pleasing appearance.
Periodontal Exam
Almost all procedures begin with a periodontal exam to assess your medical condition and begin a treatment plan.
Periodontal Checkup
Once your teeth and gums are healthy again, your periodontist may recommend regular periodontal checkups.
Bone Grafting
With a bone graft, your periodontist can restore the bone integrity in your jaw, perhaps to receive a dental implant.
Sedation Dentistry
Depending upon the length and complexity of your procedure, your periodontist will recommend one of several sedation options.
Treating Gum Disease
Periodontists are dental specialists who focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease. They are also well-trained to properly place and manage dental implants. To become experts in this area, periodontists undergo three additional years of education beyond dental school. The altered structure of the text allows the same meaning to be conveyed while using different words. The rephrased text does not change the original meaning.
A periodontist’s primary responsibility is managing gum disease, which can lead to severe complications if left untreated. They employ various treatments that focus on a deep cleaning that goes beyond what a dental hygienist typically does. If you have a severe case of gum disease, a periodontist will develop a plan to treat it and help you return to a state of dental health where your teeth are stable and your gums are healthy. Some periodontists are also skilled in dermal filler techniques that help improve the appearance and function of the soft tissues around the teeth.
Besides managing periodontal disease, periodontists are specialists in the procedure of placing dental implants. Dental implants serve as artificial tooth roots in the placement of either individual teeth or bridges that replace multiple teeth. That makes dental implant surgery an especially important service for periodontists to provide, as many patients who need dental implants have lost teeth due to periodontal disease. Nevertheless, periodontists are trained to understand the jawbone structure as well as the condition and health of the gum tissue. Those attributes make them exceptionally skilled at determining the surgical techniques that best promote the successful integration of the implant with the surrounding bone and gum tissue.
Related Blog Article: When Do You Need to See a Periodontist? Check These 5 Signs
Working together, periodontists and general dentists provide truly comprehensive dental care. The general dentist handles the basics and sees the patient between the routine check-ups and the major interventions. The periodontist is consulted when the patient requires special attention or when problems in the periodontal area are severe enough to necessitate surgery or another major procedure. Most patients with gum disease don’t need to see a periodontist; the general dentist can handle their problems. But when the deeper and more dangerous problems re-emerge, the periodontist takes over the management of the patient.
Why is saving your teeth better than replacing them?
When your teeth are bothering you, the idea of removing them and replacing them with sturdy, cavity-free implants or dentures can sound appealing. However, we should first make every effort to save your teeth.
Though implants are an excellent replacement for lost teeth, they aren’t as good as the real thing. Teeth go through an incredible amount of wear and tear. They have to withstand constant chewing and grinding. At the same time, they also need to withstand a vast range of temperatures and various oral bacteria. Even the most advanced technology has yet to surpass nature.
Some of the many reasons to pick your original teeth include:
- Fixing a tooth is often more budget-friendly than replacing it. The best tooth replacements, like individual implants, can often be the most expensive options.
- You’ll still need to clean and care for implants or dentures, so replacing your teeth won’t cut back on maintenance.
- You’ll need to replace even the most high quality tooth replacements every decade or so, resulting in more expenses and time-consuming procedures.
- There’s a small risk, of around one to five percent, that your tooth replacement option might fail. This can result in unpleasant infections or other complications.
- Some replacement options, like dentures, can damage the gums or jawbone over time.
- You cannot whiten or darken crowns, bridges, and other replacements. Over time, they may no longer match the color of your other real teeth.
- Tooth extraction is often more painful than other treatments like root canals.