What is Periodontal Disease and How is it Treated?
Periodontal disease is a bacterial disease in the gums. Commonly referred to as Gum disease, it infects the jaw bone with destructive bacteria. These harmful bacteria like a dirty environment of dental plaque and tartar. They cause bone degeneration around teeth. Additionally, they have recently been implicated in heart disease, Alzheimers, and an increased risk of cancer. Periodontal disease can not be treated, only prevented, with a dental cleaning. Periodontal disease treatment might include deep cleanings, Scaling and Root Planing, Gum surgery and bone grafting. Prevention is the best medicine.
Dr. David Gordon Uses New Dental Bonding Technique
At Gordon Center, we bring the latest dental technology and advanced dental techniques to our patients. It allows us to create natural-looking cosmetic results. The latest example of this is with a new dental bonding technique, pioneered by a top dentist--and friend of Dr. David Gordon--across the country. Specifically, Dr. Dawn Wehking suggests using Teflon tape to separate the teeth instead of more cumbersome outdated techniques. (Read more.) Using Teflon tape allows the filling to have a smoother and more natural contour. Check out this before and after picture of a patient who saw Dr. David Gordon after he broke two teeth in an accident.
What Do I Say to My Adult Child About Dental Implants?
If a lack of teeth or chewing function are affecting your son or daughter's quality of life, you may want to discuss dental implants with them. It can be helpful to have some information to share, so we've pulled together a short list of articles with more information. Am I the right age for dental implants? Are dental implants safe? What is the recovery like from all-on-4 dental implant surgery? What can I eat with dental implants? There are other options as well for missing teeth, so your child can eat and smile comfortably, which will improve their health and make them more comfortable in a variety of settings. As always, you can contact us for a free consultation, and we will take the time to answer all of your questions and your children's questions so they can select the best treatment option for them.
How Do I Talk to My Senior Parent About Going to the Dentist?
Your parent may be interested to know how going to the dentist contributes to overall health and longevity. Recent studies show that bacteria from the mouth has been linked as a cause for an increase in heart disease, pancreatic and colorectal cancer, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Regular dental cleaning visits in addition to proper home care limit bacteria in the mouth. As teeth are lost and chewing power decreases, there is an increase in memory loss. Not to mention, if they can't chew, it will limit the healthy foods they can eat. Dental implants allow for the same chewing force as natural teeth, and we've restored implants on patients up to 87 years old. Even if nothing is bothering your parent, a comprehensive exam and necessary X-rays can reveal what, if left untreated, could cause problems in the future. If the root of their hesitance is a fear of the dentist, they are not alone. One in ten people have some fear of the dentist and we specialize in making our patients feel comfortable. The dental hygienists and Dr.'s Gordon will not rush your parent and will answer any questions they have. Click to schedule an appointment or call 301-258-1998.
Which Halloween Candy Is Worst for My Teeth?
Whether you purchased more than you ended up handing out, or your children brought home massive bags of treats, most of us find ourselves with leftover Halloween candy. And you might be wondering: Is it all the same, or is some worse for my teeth than others? As far as your teeth are concerned, sticky (taffy, caramel) or hard candies are some of the hardest on your teeth. Chocolate is often preferable. Of course there are two other things you'll want to keep in mind. First, it's one thing to eat a lot of candy on Halloween night, but if you continue to consume the leftovers all month long, you'll be exposing your teeth to more sugar. Second, anytime you eat candy, you want to make sure you properly brush and floss your teeth.
What Should I Do if My Dentist Retires or Sells His Practice?
The answer to this question depends on how you felt about your previous dentist. 1. If going to the dentist always was unpleasant or you felt there might be a “better dentist out there” who understood your needs or could deliver dentistry that was more comfortable and looked better, then now is a perfect time to make a clean break. A lot of people will be transferring their records, so you can find a new dental home that you are comfortable with. 2. If you have been seeing your dentist for a long time and love the practice, try out the new dentist at a cleaning appointment and see how you feel. (You may find the new dentist is trying to recoup the money they used to buy the practice with an aggressive filling or crown philosophy.) If you suddenly experience an uptick in dental work that you are told “needs to be done” by the new dentist, call Gordon Center for General and Advanced Dentistry for a free second opinion. Our dentists have close to 50 years combined experience. They only recommend what needs to be done. Click here or call 301-258-1998 to schedule an appointment.
Why Do They Call Dental Implant Surgery “Teeth in a Day?”
The term “Teeth in a day” refers to complete tooth replacement with the All-on-4™ dental implant technique. Other terms for this procedure are full mouth implants, or whole mouth implants. Traditional dental implant surgery restoration often meant multiple surgeries, gum surgeries, or bone grafting and could take many months. With the All-on-4 dental implant procedure, a patient gets teeth fixed and screwed into their upper and/or lower jaw the same day as their implant surgery. Call 301-258-1998 for a free consultation.
What Sort of TMJ Pain Relief Is There?
Our dentists know the most up-to-date treatment for pain or headaches related to TMJ (the Temporomandibular Joint). Initial treatment may involve eating soft foods, anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxer medication, and a bite guard to reposition the jaws. Final treatment may involve adjusting the bite or braces in order to keep a healthy, correct, pain-free bite. For particularly advanced cases, we can connect you to a trusted specialist. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Can I Get Dental Implants if I Have Diabetes?
The short answer is yes. There are two health criteria that must be met in order to have dental implants placed--and once the implants are fused to bone they are usually fine even if the two criteria become uncontrolled: 1) The diabetes must be noted by your physician as being in a “controlled “ state. 2) The HemaglobinA1C should be 7 or below. 7-8 would depend on other factors including overall health status. Over 8 depends on other factors plus the experienced implant surgeon's comfort level. At Gordon Center for General and Advanced Dentistry, we select an implant surgeon for you based on many factors. Our expertise, and knowledge of great practitioners nearby allows us to choose the implant surgeon that is the correct match for you. Call 301-258-1998 or click here to schedule your free dental implant consultation.
What Are Some Signs I Should Ask for a Second Opinion?
There are three main reasons to search for a second opinion: 1) You need to switch practices: Perhaps you moved, or maybe your dentist sold his practice to someone else--and the new dentist proposes a lot of new dental work that “needs” to be done. The second opinion is to see if the work is needed. 2) Your dentist proposes a lengthy, expensive, esthetically complex treatment plan: In this case, a second opinion is to see whether different options can achieve the same results, or if another clinician can show you, from their experiences and work, a more pleasing or favorable result. 3) You get a gut sense that, “something doesn’t seem right”: With insurance companies reimbursing participating dentists, in-network dentists may develop a more aggressive philosophy in order to produce more dentistry from the available pool of patients At Gordon Center for General and Advanced Dentistry, we evaluate patients’ needs from an experienced, time-developed view point. Since we are non-participating providers, we develop treatment or non-treatment based on current research. Over the years, our patients often wind up receiving less dental treatment and consequently incur less out of pocket payments. Call 301-258-1998 or click here to schedule a free second opinion appointment.