Expert Periodontal & Implant Dentistry

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into the jawbone to support your replacement tooth or bridge. They are a popular solution for individuals who have lost one or more teeth due to injury, periodontal disease, decay, or other causes, and who prefer a permanent option over dentures. Ideal candidates for dental implants are in good general and oral health, have healthy gums, and possess enough bone structure to support the implant. Periodontists, with their advanced training in both soft and hard oral tissues, are uniquely qualified to perform these procedures.

Treatment options vary depending on the number of missing teeth and bone health. These include single, multiple, or full-mouth dental implants. In some cases, additional procedures like sinus augmentation or ridge modification may be necessary to ensure sufficient bone for implant placement. Once the implants are placed, proper oral hygiene and routine dental visits are essential to maintaining their health and longevity. Dr. Bishop will collaborate with your general dentist to develop a personalized follow-up care plan, ensuring that your implants, gums, and surrounding teeth remain in optimal condition.

For more information please call us at 309-762-6900.

Undergoing treatment for gum disease has invaluable benefits, including halting disease progression, preserving the natural structure of your teeth, and significantly improving your overall oral health. There is significant research showing it also affects your systemic health. Moreover, treatment can also enhance the aesthetic appearance of your smile and contribute to fresher breath, boosting confidence and quality of life.

Periodontal Pocket Procedures

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming “pockets” around the teeth.

Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live, accumulate, and advance under the gum tissue. These pockets can result in bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted.

Sometimes a periodontist may need to perform a surgical procedure to treat periodontal disease and any damage it may have caused. Because they received three years of specialized training following dental school, periodontists are experts in performing gum surgery and are trained in administering appropriate comfort measures such as sedation during treatment.

During a periodontal pocket procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing bacteria before securing the tissue into place. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone.

Periodontal disease affects more than just your oral health, it can influence your overall well-being. It has been linked to uncontrolled diabetes, a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, respiratory conditions, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cardiovascular issues. That’s why it’s essential to have your gum health regularly evaluated.

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth. The bone graft involves the addition of bone tissue to the extraction site to preserve or enhance bone volume. Such services can prove necessary when a tooth cannot be saved due to decay, disease, or injury. Bone grafts are important for individuals considering dental implants, as they provide the key support for the implant.

The benefits of implant dentures include enhanced comfort due to less irritation of gum tissue, improved speech, and a natural-looking appearance. They also allow for better chewing efficiency than regular dentures, leading to better digestion and overall health.

Crown lengthening not only helps in improving the viability of dental restorations but also contributes to better dental health by making it easier to clean the teeth. For patients looking for a smile enhancement, it can be a key step towards achieving a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile by making the teeth appear more proportional in size. Additionally, it can correct what is often referred to as a “gummy smile,” where an excessive amount of gum tissue is visible above the top teeth when smiling.

Do you feel your smile is too gummy or your gums cover too much of some teeth while leaving the others the right length? If so, dental crown lengthening might be the solution for you. A gummy smile, also known as excessive gingival display, occurs when a large portion of gum tissue is visible above the top teeth during smiling, creating the perception of shorter teeth and a dominant gumline. This feature can be attributed to a variety of anatomical factors.

Gum graft surgery and other root coverage procedures are designed to cover exposed roots, to reduce further gum recession, protect vulnerable tooth roots from decay, and improve your smile. Although a primary benefit of grafting is improved esthetics it has a much more important long term role. By covering exposed roots, patients often experience a decrease in tooth sensitivity, especially to hot and cold temperatures. This procedure also plays a crucial role in preventing further gum recession and bone loss, therefore, reducing the risk of tooth loss. Moreover, covering the exposed roots protects them from decay, contributing significantly to overall oral health and the longevity of the patient’s natural teeth.

Your periodontist may recommend a regenerative procedure when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed due to periodontal disease. These procedures can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue.

Periodontal regeneration is a specialized procedure aimed at restoring health to gums and bone affected by periodontal disease. This treatment is designed to encourage the natural regrowth of bone and connective tissues that support the teeth, reversing the bone loss caused by periodontitis. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing bacteria. Bone grafting material, membranes with growth factors and tissue-stimulating proteins as well as stem cells can be used to encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

Addressing impacted teeth is beneficial for maintaining the integrity of the dental arch and ensuring optimal bite function and esthetics. Treatment helps to prevent potential complications such as misalignment of adjacent teeth, cyst formation, or resorption of roots of adjacent teeth. With early diagnosis and management, impacted teeth can often be properly integrated into the dental arch, preserving oral health and achieving a harmonious smile.