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The Importance of Periodontal Health
Periodontal disease
affects almost 90% of the adult population.
It is a silent, painless disease caused by
plaque which accumulates on teeth above and
below the gum line. Removal of this
bacteria build-up is required to return the
gums to a healthy state.
Latest
medical research shows a link between the
presence of periodontal disease to heart
disease.
Scientific evidence also shows mothers with
periodontal disease are at a higher risk of
having pre-term or low birth weight babies.
Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist
when there is evidence of periodontal
disease or for the replacement of
non-restorable teeth.
Who Is a Periodontist
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes
in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
of periodontal diseases and in the placement
of dental implants. A periodontist
typically has two to three years of
additional training in the latest techniques
to diagnose and treat gum disease and its
associated problems.
Periodontists can perform cosmetic
periodontal procedures such as tissue grafts
and the placement of implants to improve
your smile and function. About 25% of
local Periodontists are Board Certified in
their specialty area. They complete written
and oral tests that further challenge their
clinical skills and knowledge of scientific
research.
How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Quality
of Life
Dental implants have become the treatment of
choice for replacing non-restorable and
missing teeth. Implants offer both
functional and esthetic results. They are
the next best thing to your natural teeth in
look, feel and function. Implant placement
immediately after tooth extraction prevents
bone loss in the jaws; maintaining the
shape of the face and allowing the return to
normal functional use. Implants have been
in use for over 30 years and have a proven
success rate for virtually a lifetime of use
without any more maintenance than daily
brushing and flossing. Dental implants have
improved the quality of life for a
generation of patients.
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