Soft Tissue Graft

Periodontal procedures are available to stop further dental problems and gum recession, and to improve the aesthetics of your gum line.

Why do I need a tissue graft?

Do you have…

• An uneven gum line?
• Extremely sensitive teeth?
• Gum recession?

A soft tissue graft may be the answer to your dental problems. Soft tissue grafting is recommended when you have gum recession that has left the root of a tooth exposed, or you’re at risk of root exposure due to recession. It is a common procedure intended to recreate your gum line and prevent further deterioration, while at the same time enhancing the appearance of your smile.

Exposed tooth toots are the result of gum recession. Perhaps you wish to enhance your smile by covering one or more of these roots that make your teeth appear too long, or you cringe because the exposed roots are sensitive to hot or cold foods and liquids.

Your gums may have receded for a variety of reasons, including aggressive tooth brushing or periodontal disease. You may not be in control of what caused the recession, but prior to treatment Dr. Berdy will help you identify the factors contributing to the problem. Once these contributing factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft procedure will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss.

Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue which is absent due to excessive gingival recession. During this procedure, Dr. Berdy takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.

 

What are the benefits of this procedure?

A soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay; this may reduce tooth sensitivity and improve aesthetics of your smile. A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health are your keys to smiling, eating, and speaking with comfort and confidence!

 

• Prevention or reduction of sensitivity
• Protection from cavities (decay)
• Improved smile by creating symmetry in your gum line
• Creation of a suitable environment for implant placement

Sinus Lift

What is a sinus lift?

A sinus lift is a process that assists your body in rehabilitating a delicate area by restoring lost bone with your own natural bone. Techniques and materials used for this procedure have steadily improved over time, making the sinus lift one of the most successful and predictable bone grafting procedures performed in the mouth. Sinus lifts are not expected to affect your sinuses, breathing, or allergies.

• Reduced chance of damage to the sinuses during implant placement
• Regrowth of your own new bone to restore lost bone
• Creation of a suitable environment for implant placement

 

Why do I need a sinus lift procedure?

A sinus lift is often required as a first step when placing a dental implant in the back of your upper jaw. When upper back teeth are lost, bone in that area naturally shrinks or resorbs over time. Consequently, your sinuses expand to occupy the empty space where the bone used to be. Because there is insufficient bone available to securely place the dental implant, the sinuses must be lifted in order to create space for placing additional bone in that area.

Oral Cancer Screening

Identafi® Multi-Spectral Oral Cancer Screening

Quick facts about oral cancer:

• Kills more in the U.S. than well known cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, & cervical
• Almost 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year in the U.S
• 66% of these individuals will be diagnosed as late stage cancers, only 43% of them will survive five years
• Early detection (stages 1 or 2) increases survival rates up to 80-90%
• Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase
• Prolonged sun exposure, tobacco, & alcohol use are major contributing factors
• HPV16, the same virus that causes a majority of cervical cancers, was the primary causative factor in 63% of diagnosis in early 2011

 

The test is simple, painless, & fast.

The mortality rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because of difficulty in diagnosis or discovery, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Screenings for oral cancer are crucial in early detection and drastically improve survival rates. An oral cancer screening is a pain free, quick three to five minute procedure that detects external and internal abnormalities. Your head, neck, and jaws will be examined for external abnormalities, followed by a visual screening of the interior of your mouth using a specialized light wand.

 

When found early, oral cancer patients have nearly a 90% survival rate.

Our office uses the Identafi system by Trimera and we recommend that patients are screened once a year for oral cancer. The Identafi® uses Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

 

Possible Signs & Symptoms

A primary danger of oral cancer is that in its early stages, it may go unnoticed and can be painless or cause little to no physical change. However, an oral cancer screening performed by a dentist or doctor specifically looks for precursor tissue changes or the actual cancer while it is still very small or in its early stages. It may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small ulcer which appears to be a common canker sore. There are many benign tissue changes that occur normally in your mouth, such as a bite on the inside of your cheek, that may mimic the look of a dangerous tissue change. It is important to have any sore or discolored area of your mouth looked at by a professional which does not heal within 14 days. Other symptoms may include:

• lump or mass felt on the inside of the mouth or neck
• pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing
• wart like masses
• hoarseness which persists
• numbness in the oral/facial region
• unilateral persistent ear ache

i-CAT® Cone Beam 3-D Imaging

Detailed digital imaging: Comfortable. Fast. Precise.

 

Blending innovation with patient comfort, the i-CAT® Cone Beam 3-D Imaging System produces immediate three-dimensional images of your critical anatomy, typically in under one minute. The high resolution cat scan images provide unparalleled views of bone structure and tooth organization to optimize dental implant treatment planning and placement, allowing for the selection of optimal size, shape, and location of dental implants prior to any procedure. The i-CAT® provides complete views of all oral and maxillofacial structures in an easy to use in-office system that allows Dr. Berdy to dramatically enhance your care with utmost precision.

• Provides an instant picture of your head, neck, and oral cavities
• Fast – scan takes less than one minute
• Precise measurement of existing bone levels
• 3-D imaging provides unparalleled detail & accuracy for placing dental implants
• Minimal radiation – up to 10x less than traditional CT scan
• Located in office – no need to go somewhere else for a scan

DEXIS Digital X-rays

Typically, the first non-surgical step in the treatment of periodontal disease involves a special cleaning known as scaling and root planing (SRP), or a “deep cleaning.” When pocket depths are 3mm or more, scaling and root planing can be used to treat periodontal disease by removing plaque and tartar buildup found below the gum line. A specialized instrument called a small scaler or an ultrasonic cleaner is used to carefully remove plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. Finally, the tooth’s root surfaces are then smoothed or planed, helping gum tissue to heal while shrinking periodontal pockets. This procedure makes it more difficult for the accumulation of plaque along the root surfaces. To alleviate any potential discomfort, a local anesthetic may be given at the beginning of the procedure.

Depending on the extent of periodontal disease present, treatment by scaling and root planing may be recommended for one or more sections (quadrants) of your mouth. In combination with a deep cleaning, a localized antibiotic such as ARESTIN^® may be used to help control infection and promote healing. Once scaling and root planing has been completed, a follow up appointment is usually scheduled several weeks later to examine your gums to see how they have healed and how the periodontal pockets have decreased. Often, many patients do not require further active treatment for periodontal disease and just need proper preventative care.

• Maintaining good oral hygiene at home and continued follow up maintenance cleanings are essential to help prevent periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.
• Periodontitis does not go away by itself- prevention and treatment in early stages is crucial to keeping a healthy smile

Identafi® Multi-Spectral Oral Cancer Screening

Quick facts about oral cancer:

• Kills more in the U.S. than well known cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, & cervical
• Almost 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year in the U.S
• 66% of these individuals will be diagnosed as late stage cancers, only 43% of them will survive five years
• Early detection (stages 1 or 2) increases survival rates up to 80-90%
• Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase
• Prolonged sun exposure, tobacco, & alcohol use are major contributing factors
• HPV16, the same virus that causes a majority of cervical cancers, was the primary causative factor in 63% of diagnosis in early 2011

The test is simple, painless, & fast.

The mortality rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because of difficulty in diagnosis or discovery, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Screenings for oral cancer are crucial in early detection and drastically improve survival rates. An oral cancer screening is a painfree, quick three to five minute procedure that detects external and internal abnormalities. Your head, neck, and jaws will be examined for external abnormalities, followed by a visual screening of the interior of your mouth using a specialized light wand.

When found early, oral cancer patients have nearly a 90% survival rate.

Our office uses the Identafi system by Trimera and we recommend that patients are screened once a year for oral cancer. The Identafi® uses Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

(LANAP®) Laser Gum Surgery in Jacksonville

Is LANAP™ right for you?

• Do you have red, swollen, or tender gums?
• When you floss or brush, do your gums bleed?
• Do you have chronic bad breath?
• Do your teeth move or feel loose?
• Have you been told you suffer from periodontal disease or that you need to see a periodontist?

If you answered yes to any of these questions above, you may be a candidate for an exciting treatment option known as Laser Assisted New Attachement Procedure™ (a.k.a. LANAP™, Laser Periodontal Therapy™). This minimally invasive procedure uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ by Millenium Dental Technologies, the only dental laser specifically designed for Laser Periodontal Therapy™ for the treatment of gum disease.

 

No scalpels. No stiches. The new treatment for gum disease.

LANAP™ is a new, less traumatic treatment for periodontal disease that selectively removes infected tissue within periodontal pockets. It replaces the traditional use of  a scalpel during periodontal surgery and requires no suturing, which improves patient comfort, minimizes recovery time and reduces post-operative bleeding and swelling.

 

Laser Periodontal Therapy™ – FDA approved laser treatment for gum disease.

The laser based approach for the treatment of gum disease actually helps the bone supporting your teeth to regenerate. By treating and controlling periodontal disease, it is possible to save and restore teeth to health that may otherwise have to be extracted. LANAP™ can help restore your whole mouth to health and reduce your body’s susceptibility to serious health problems associated with gum disease.