What is scaling and root planing? Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a dental procedure to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth. It’s typically done after other methods of cleaning teeth, such as brushing or flossing, have not been effective. The periodontist in Rapid City scrapes your teeth with a scaler to remove tartar and plaque. 

They will also use what are called “periodontal” instruments to clean below the gum line where your tooth meets the jawbone. Some people may need this procedure every six months, while others may only need it once per year, depending on their oral health habits. 

When should you recommend scaling and root planing? 

Scaling and root planing should be considered when a patient has a lot of tartar build-up that needs to be removed. It can also be recommended if a patient has deep pockets that could lead to gum disease. These two periodontal disease treatment options are preventative measures. Scaling and root planing is the process of removing the tartar and plaque from above and below the gumline. 

Scaling removes the tartar build-up while root planing smooths out rough spots, preventing further problems. If a patient has increased risk factors for gum disease, you may want to consider scaling and root planing. In addition, patients with diabetes, smoking, poor nutrition, or antibiotic regimens are also more likely to get serious forms of gum disease. 

What can you expect during a scaling and root planing? 

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to these procedures. First, your periodontist in Rapid City will numb your gums before working on them with the scaler and polisher. Then, this tool is used to scrape off all build-up above and below the gumline. If there is not enough space to use the scaler, then they may use forceps instead. 

After this process, your teeth will feel more sensitive, but that should only last for a couple of days until you get your temporary filling or sealant in place. Afterward, some patients experience minor bleeding while others don’t notice any at all. 

These periodontal disease treatment methods do require local anesthesia. After your scaling and root planing procedure, your periodontist in Rapid City may place a temporary filling or

sealant before going on to the next steps of the teeth cleaning in Rapid City process if needed. However, some patients have been known to need re-treatment after years of chronic gum disease. In those cases, their teeth would require reconstruction from a bone loss that occurred due to the infection. 

What are the criteria for scaling and root planing? 

This is a periodontal disease treatment for deep teeth cleaning in Rapid City and preparation of the root surfaces. There are different reasons as to when scaling and root planing is done: if your gum health is not good, if you’re having discomfort in your mouth, or if you’ve had recurrent dental problems. 

What risks are involved? 

There is always the risk of developing an infection. If you try to minimize this risk, avoid smoking and eating certain foods before having your scaling and root planing treatment done. A good oral health routine will also help decrease the risk of infections. 

There’s also a small chance that there may be some discomfort after receiving treatment; however, most patients say that it wasn’t painful at all. Usually, there won’t be any long-term side effects with scaling and root planing. 

How is the procedure done? 

The simplest periodontal disease treatment entails getting numbing agents injected into your gums (most often called local anesthesia). In other cases, you may need sedation or general anesthesia. In any case, the treatment is done without you having to feel anything because your gums will be numb, and your teeth may be a bit tender after the procedure. 

How long does the periodontal disease treatment take? 

The entire process usually takes around half an hour to 45 minutes per quadrant of your mouth. The numbing agent should start working within a few minutes, so if there are four quadrants in total, it may take you about 2 hours or less for this entire process. You can go back to work after a couple of hours as you wait for the numbing agents to wear off. 

Conclusion 

Scaling and root planing are two dental procedures that help to prevent tooth decay. These treatments can be done in one appointment or as separate appointments depending on the severity of your condition. If you would like more information about these procedures, please call us at (605) 348-2556 to book an appointment with the best periodontist in Rapid City. 

Periodontal disease is an affliction that affects the gums. It can be serious, damaging the soft tissue of your gums and if left untreated, can destroy your tooth’s supportive bone as well. Eventually, it can lead to tooth loss. While it can seem worrying, it is preventable so it’s important that you understand just how to deal with it. So, here is everything you need to know about periodontal disease and how it affects your health.

Symptoms

The following are signs of periodontal disease:

 

• Swollen or puffy gums
• Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums
• Gums that feel tender when touched
• Gums that bleed easily
• Pink-tinged toothbrush after brushing
• Spitting out blood when brushing or flossing your teeth
• Bad breath
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Loose teeth or loss of teeth
• Painful chewing
• New spaces developing between your teeth
• Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Additionally, gingivitis is a somewhat lesser gum disease which does not always develop into periodontal disease but it is always a precursor to it.

Causes

Periodontis often develops from plaque that has gone untreated. First, the plaque forms on your teeth when the starches in your food interact with the bacteria in your mouth. The plaque then hardens in your mouth and becomes tartar. The plaque can then cause mild gum disease in the form of gingivitis. If left untreated, this can then evolve to become periodontitis, causing pockets to appear between your gums and teeth and be filled with bacteria.

Diagnosis

When you visit your dentist, they can run a number of tests to determine if you are suffering from periodontal disease. They can check for signs of inflammation in the gums as well as probe for pockets around the teeth. Your doctor may even use an x-ray to capture any bone loss.

 

For a Periodontist in rapid city, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics.

Treatments

There are a number of surgical and non-surgical treatment options that a periodontist can use. 

The non-surgical options include scaling to remove the plaque and tartar, root planing which smooths over the root surfaces making further tartar buildup less likely. Finally, antibiotics will help control the bacterial infection.

In cases of advanced periodontitis you may need surgery to treat the disease. Options include soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, gum tissue removal and guided tissue regeneration.

Above all, prevention may prove to be the best way to deal with periodontal disease. Regular brushing and oral care will keep plaque away and visits to your dentist will ensure you catch any early signs.

To find out more about Periodontal Disease treatment in rapid city check out Dakota Dakota Regional Periodontics.

Summary

Periodontal disease can be worrying, but it’s important to recognise that it is both preventable and treatable, as long as you are proactive and involve your dentist. Dakota Perio are a premier Dakota periodontics practice with enormous experience with periodontal disease care. 

To see how Dakota Dakota Regional Periodontics. can help you, visit today.

There are few things as nerve-wracking as potential cancer and oral cancer is no different. And while it can be very serious, it’s important to stay calm and speak with your doctor. When caught early, oral cancer is much more treatable and so it’s important that you recognize the early signs. This guide will explain everything you need to know.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is no different from other forms of cancer in that it is the growth of cells that cause damage to surrounding parts of the body. For oral cancer, in particular, it appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that will continue to persist. It can affect all areas of the mouth and is very serious, particularly when not found early.

Symptoms

These are some of the symptoms of oral cancer:

• Swellings, lumps or bumps, rough spots, and eroded areas inside the mouth
• White, red, or both patches in the mouth
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
• Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal
• A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
• Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice
• Ear pain
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
• Dramatic weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms then it’s imperative to speak to your doctor immediately.

Factors That May Cause Cancer

There are a number of factors that have been identified as being able to cause oral cancer. These include:

• Smoking
• Excessive drinking
• Using smokeless tobacco
• Family history of cancer
• Overexposure to sun
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Diagnosis

Oral cancer screenings are a part of your regular dental checkups. Your dentist will feel for irregular lumps or changes in your mouth. If anything appears unusual, then your dentist may order a biopsy which may be performed with a brush, scalpel, or even later.

To learn more about oral cancer exam in Rapid City, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

Treatment

Treatment of oral cancer will form a plan of surgery to remove the cancerous cells and then radiation or chemotherapy to eradicate other traces of cancer.

To find an oral surgeon, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

Prevention

There are things you can do to help prevent the chances of getting oral cancer. You can avoid dangerous behavior like drinking, smoking and over-exposure to sunlight. Additionally, you should have regular dental checkups and perform regular self-exams (using a mirror to look for changes in the tissue).

Summary

Oral cancer is, of course, a serious issue. However, with the right combination of regular dental checkups, avoidance of dangerous behavior and being vigilant about potential symptoms, you can improve your chances of either catching it early or avoiding it altogether. 

When dealing with issues like cancer, you’ll want a top professional by your side. Dakota Regional Periodontics is one of the premier experts in oral cancer in South Dakota. An esteemed member of the South Dakota Dental Association, they have the perfect blend of expertise and experience to ensure your wellbeing.

A bright smile can be so important for a person’s confidence. It can be the difference between walking into a room with a smile or sheepishly hiding your pearly whites. So it’s no surprise that having short teeth make people feel uneasy about themselves. Fortunately, there is something you can do to remedy the issue of short teeth. This guide will explain everything you need to know about crown lengthening for short teeth.

What is Crown Lengthening?

It is a procedure that involves removing gum tissue, and in some cases bone, to increase the visible amount of tooth on display.  It can be performed on either one tooth, several teeth and even the entire gum line. The process is relatively routine, however it is still delicate and the dentist will be very careful to ensure that there is enough gum left to maintain good oral health.

Why Get Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a procedure done for a couple of reasons. Structurally, it can be performed to improve the health of the gums or prepare for a crown. However, it can also be done for aesthetic reasons to correct a “gummy smile”

 

A gummy smile or excessive gingival display is a condition where the patient has more than 3mm of the gum exposed. While not overly serious, it can make people feel self-conscious and unconfident about their smile.

 

A dentist may also recommend a crown lengthening to:

• expose cavities beneath the gum line
• expose fractured areas of tooth 
• expose more tooth structure before they can perform procedures like a bridge or crown.

 

To learn more about Cosmetic Dentistry Dakota, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

 

The Crown Lengthening Procedure

There are different methods your dentist may opt for when performing the procedure. The method they end up going with will be determined based on a number of conditions like the cause of the excess gums and the mouth conditions.

To learn more about Crown Lengthening in rapid city, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

Gingivectomy

Perhaps the most common method, a gingivectomy involves removing the gum tissue. It is done under local anesthetic and can be done with a scalpel, lazers of a heated electrical instrument (electrocautery).

To learn more about Gingivectomy in Rapid City, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

Apically repositioned flap surgery

This method involves creating a flap of tissue using an incision. The flap is lifted so that excess gum and even bone can be removed. It is then stitched into play near the root of the tooth.

Surgical extrusion

This involves surgically moving the tooth to a preferred location in the mouth and then re-stabilizing the tooth. It is often chosen when a tooth is fractured.

Summary

There are few things that can affect your confidence like the physical appearance or your smile. Having a gummy smile can be damaging to your self-esteem but thankfully, is treatable. A crown lengthening procedure can be just what you need to restore confidence in your mouth. 

Book an appointment and bring that smile again! 

Dental implants are increasingly an option for many people. Whether you have a missing tooth or are self-conscious about dentures, implants could be a good option for
you.

Dental Implants in Rapid City. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial replacements for natural tooth roots and act as a long term solution for missing teeth. They attach to the jaw bone and gum and provide a base for
artificial teeth. They are made from materials like titanium and other human safe substances. Because of their very natural fitting, they bring comfort and functional use for those who feel self-conscious about missing teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

1. Endosteal implants

Endosteal implants are in the bone and are the most commonly used type of implant. The dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone and are generally
used as an alternative for patients needing a single tooth replacement. They can also be used as a bridge using 2 implants as anchors for a denture.

How Do Implants Work?

The implant preparation and process can take a few months and is done in steps. The first step is placing the implant fitting itself. The next step is done 3-4 months later, this
is when we ensure the implant is integrated (become a part of you) the new tooth can then be placed onto the implant by your general dentist.

The procedure is done in our office with the comfort of local anesthetic and for those a little more anxious, we do offer nitrous or I.V.sedation. To learn more about dental implants in Rapid City, check out our website.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

For adults with generally healthy gums, and sufficient bone, implants are a fantastic option. However, they are not suitable for everyone. Children under the age of 18 should not have dental implants as their teeth are still growing. Additionally, the following people should consult with their dentist as they may not qualify for dental implants:

● Smokers
● People who have had radiotherapy to your jaw area
● People who have diabetes which isn’t well-controlled
● People who suffer with gum (periodontal) disease or their oral hygiene is inadequate

To learn more about dentures in Rapid City, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The longevity of dental implants varies depending on the type and of course the ongoing care.

As an industry average, it is expected that dental implants will last 25 years to a lifetime. Every implant will need to be examined yearly and cleaned twice a year. With that being said, you can greatly expand the life of your dental implants by practicing good dental hygiene, flossing regularly and using an antibacterial mouthwash such as CloSYS.

Dental implants are a fantastic option to bring back that perfect smile, they’re long-lasting and look completely natural. At Dakota Regional Periodontics we are experts in implant dentistry and periodontics, and we have a track record of success and quality. We care for each of our patients as if they are our family.

Schedule an appointment today by calling us at 605-348-2556

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