Dental Exam

An all-inclusive assessment of your oral health is performed by one of our doctors using our state-of-the-art technology to perform a diagnosis, treatment planning, methods of implementation, and follow-up evaluation. These processes include:

• Comprehensive Exam
• Risk Assessment of Gum Disease:
• Risk Assessment of Tooth Decay:
• Examination of Existing Oral and Tooth Health
• Oral Cancer Screening:

Digital X-Rays

Digital Radiographs (Digital X-ray’s) provide our dentists and dental hygienist with essential information to aid and supplement clinical findings that may not be visible during a regular dental exam.

What Dental X-ray’s Reveal:

• Changes in gum infections
• The bone level (bone loss detection)
• Health of tooth-supporting structures
• Abscesses or Cyst
• Position of tooth and root
• Potential unhealthy tooth or gum abnormalities below the gum line

Dental Cleanings – Prophylaxis

As defined in any medical dictionary, the word prophylaxis refers to the actions that are taken for prevention of disease.
The purpose for what is known as a “regular cleaning” is to prevent gingival infection and the loss of gum attachment to the tooth, leading to tooth loss – this happens as periodontal disease progresses

Gum Therapy for Periodontal Disease

The term therapy, on the other hand, most commonly refers to treatment that is aimed at healing an existing disease or condition.

Periodontal therapy consists of using our specialized dental instrumentation to remove the bacteria that has accumulated underneath the gums, that is applied in the presence of diagnosed gum disease

The Mouth Is The Window To The Body

Research has suggested a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic (long-lasting) conditions.
Due to the fact that periodontal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the gums, infection below the gum line and presence of bacteria in the mouth that have the potential to be ingested and absorbed into the body, specially the bloodstream. This creates the risk of developing serious illnesses.

Common Factors Associated:

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease and Stroke
• Pregnancy Complications
• Respiratory Disease
• Osteoporosis

Periodontal Disease Defined

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums and other tooth-supporting structures that have been infected by bacteria. If untreated, the inflammation travels into the jawbone and can travel throughout the rest of the body. Currently, 75% of American’s are suffering from some sort of gingivitis or periodontal disease [1].

Classification of Periodontal Disease:

• Initial Periodontitis
• Early Periodontitis
• Chronic Periodontitis
• Aggressive Periodontitis
• Necrotizing Periodontitis

Treatment and Therapy for Periodontal Disease:

1.) Scaling and root planning
Periodontal scaling and root planing is the initial, noninvasive therapy to alleviate the cause of gum inflammation and subsequent bone loss. This therapeutic procedure is effective in treating patients that suffer from mild gum inflammation, or gingivitis, to a more moderate and/or severe periodontal disease.
The reasons one may be diagnosed for scaling and root planing periodontal therapy include:

• Prevention of disease
• Protection of the teeth
• Improved oral health
• Improved breath

2.) Antibiotic pellet therapy (Arestin) and /or laser treatment:

• Antibiotic treatment for gum disease
• Periodontal disease is a gradually destructive condition, which leads to severe inflammation with subsequent tooth and bone loss when left untreated.
• Upon return to our office after the initial periodontal scaling and root planning, our dentist or dental hygienist will evaluate your gum pockets to determine if further treatment is necessary.
• One treatment option is the direct delivery of antibiotics into the gum pocket. The minocycline antibiotic, Arestin ® comes in small pellets which are applied into the gum pockets weeks after scaling and root planning. Research suggests that it is more advantageous to wait for the healing of the gum tissues before application of an anttic.
• Second option is to use laser to eliminate the bacteria that live deep in the pockets around the teeth.
• Proper regular home care and regular perio-maintanace is necessary to control the level of return and growth of the bacteria in the pockets.

3.) Osseous Surgery:
If the periodontal desiese is too advanced or too aggressive and after patient has been treated with Deep cleaning and antibiotics / laser still has pockets more than 4 mm, we refer the patient to periodontics for further treatment.

Tissue regeneration

Gum therapy for recession:

The loss of gum tissue around the surfaces of the teeth is an irreversible process that will progressively become worse if not stopped. Gum recession begins during one’s teenage years and becomes commonly found in adults over the age of 40 due to the gradual onset.

Gum recession presents with the following symptoms:

• Tooth sensitivity – When the roots become exposed due to the loss of gum tissue, this exposes the underlying layers of each tooth
• Visible Roots
• Progressively longer looking teeth due to the lost gum tissue
• Bad breath along with gum inflammation and bleeding are all caused by the same bacteria that cause the gums to recede when they are embedded underneath the gum tissue

Risk Factors of Gum Recession

• Overaggressive tooth brushing
• Poor oral hygiene
• Tobacco products
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)

Misdiagnosed Gum Recession

Abfraction occurs as tiny notches caused by an unequally distribution of force on teeth, mostly caused from incorrect bite, chewing, clenching, and grinding. All of which put undue pressure on teeth, causing them to flex. They occur Teeth with these notches can become progressively weaker through time, leaving them prone to further micro fractures and at a higher risk of breaking. These lesions do not heal with time and although some may worsen, unless severe, they do not require treatment.

The progression of these lesions can be prevented from becoming more severe by correcting the underlying cause of undue stress and the uneven distribution of forces on these teeth.

Maintenance

After gum tissue health has been attained, it is up to your daily at-home practice of dental care to keep the teeth and gums free from new or recurrent bacterial presence.

Our dedicated team of dental hygienists will be able to assess your needs and create an at-home care plan designed for you! This includes making recommendations on toothbrushes, toothpastes, or floss for specific conditions to make it easy for you to achieve maximum oral health. Although all our patient’s receive a toothbrush kit with these aids after each cleaning appointment, sometimes, patients with periodontal disease require some special aids to help with their at home care.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a common reality in households all across the world. In the United States alone, one person dies of oral cancer every single hour. Unfortunately, this means that in any given year, oral cancer kills more people in the United States than other common cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, and cervical cancers.

An estimated 37,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. More than half of these will be diagnosed as late stage cancers. Like many other cancers, oral cancers that are found in later stages have significantly lower survival rates – sometimes even 20-30%. What is more, late stage oral cancers require more invasive surgical treatment, oftentimes leaving individuals with an overall loss of oral function.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Historically, the majority of oral cancer cases were diagnosed among three risk groups – people over the age of 50, tobacco users, and heavy alcohol consumers. However, this disease pattern has changed dramatically in recent years due to new risk factors that have entered the scene. Today, oral cancer is being diagnosed at an alarming rate in people between the ages of 25 and 50, the majority of whom are non-smokers. These new cases are largely attributable to the emergence of a cancer-causing virus called Human Papilliomavirus–16 (HPV-16) – the same virus that is responsible for the majority of cervical cancers. HPV-16 may be sexually transmitted between partners and accounts for the recent increase in oral cancer rates among young, non-smoking victims who do not fall into historical high-risk groups. This alarming trend highlights the stark reality that each and every adult, not just those over the age of 50, is susceptible to oral cancer and should thus be regularly screened.

The high death rates associated with oral cancer are largely attributable to late discovery and diagnosis. The good news is that oral cancer, when found early, has survival rates of 80-90%. What is more, oral cancer can be detected in these early stages using simple, inexpensive, and painless screening. The best way to ensure that you remain healthy and up-to-date with annual screenings is to demand that your dentist or dental hygienist perform a yearly oral cancer screening exam. During this painless, 3-5 minute screening, most of the signs of oral cancer can be detected with the eye or felt with the fingers.

Oral Cancer Screening Devices Available

VELscopeTM

At Spectrum Dentistry, we also offer the VELscope™ exam to our patients as an additional screening tool to help identify and photograph cancerous and precancerous growths that may not be detectible with traditional oral exams. A VELscope™ exam is both quick and painless. Because it can identify cellular changes and abnormal growths before they become cancerous, cancers that are found with VELscope™ exams have increased five-year survival rates of 80% or higher. Irregularities that are identified during yearly oral cancer screenings are then easily biopsied for a definitive diagnosis.

At Spectrum Dentistry, your overall health is our number one concern. With annual screenings and VELscope™ exams, you can rest assured that you will always receive the best and most up-to-date healthcare. For more information regarding oral cancer and the VELscope™ System, please visit www.oralcancerfoundation.org or www.velscope.com. Or simply call us with any questions you may have.

ViziLite® T-Blue®

ViziLite® TBlue® is a quick and easy to use system that takes 2 minutes to complete through this patented and clinically proven technology. This test is very effective in supplementing the visual examination in identifying lesions associated with precancerous or cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that ViziLite® TBlue® has not produced any false negative outcomes and significantly reduces the number of lesions as false positives. However, a positive finding must be followed up with a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis.

Dental sealants consist of a thin, plastic coating of safe dental material placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The purpose of dental sealants is prevention of the accumulation of bacteria within the deep crevices that are a part of the tooth structure, where more than 80% of tooth decay begins. Sealants provide a smoother, more level surface of the tooth, making it easier to clean teeth.

This is especially important for young children whose permanent teeth are coming in, the importance of placing dental sealants when teeth first erupt leads to a 95% decrease in tooth decay for the future health of that tooth.

According to the American Dental Association and American Dental Hygiene Association, the application of fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. Researchers have supported the fact that fluoride benefits have decreased the onset of tooth decay for over 60 years and can even reverse tooth decay at its early stage [1]. When combined with proper at-home dental care by patients, the application of fluoride is very effective.

Sources of Fluoride:

Topical fluoride

• Topical fluoride is used by dentists and dental hygienists to strengthen tooth enamel on adults and children and found in many over-the-counter products such as toothpastes, mouth washes, and gels.
• Prescription strength fluoride toothpaste is also available for patients with cavities in the early stages to help reverse the decay process.
• It is recommended that children receive topical fluoride applications twice a year to prevent the onset of tooth decay.

Systemic fluoride

• Systemic fluoride is most beneficial to children because it not only strengthens their erupted teeth, it helps mineralize the developing teeth and roots underneath the gums.
• There are many forms of systemic fluoride, with the majority being available through most foods and water supplies
• However, too much of anything may have the opposite effect, so if too much fluoride is given to children while their teeth are developing, there may white spots that appear on teeth, a condition called fluorosis.

It is important to remember that fluoride alone is not effective in preventing tooth decay. Using proper tooth brushing methods along with recommended tooth paste and floss, twice daily, along with limited sugar intake and regular dental visits is the most effective ways in preventing tooth decay.

Our priority at Spectrum Dentistry is to create a beautiful and healthy smile for each of our patients. Whether that is your goal depends on your willingness to possibly make life style changes such as eating balanced meals and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the bacterial content inside your mouth. If you are not, that is okay, we will listen to your concerns and customize a treatment plan that assess your needs, whether you choose to follow our recommendations is up to you.

Based on the health of your gums and teeth, a tooth brushing method and dental aid will be selected for you to help make your at home care easier. The hygienist will use these methods to determine which is best for you:

• Health of gum
• Health of teeth
• Previous at home dental care habits
• Dietary analysis

For more information about Invisalign, click here.

Research has suggested a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic (long-lasting) conditions.
Due to the fact that periodontal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the gums, infection below the gum line and presence of bacteria in the mouth that have the potential to be ingested and absorbed into the body, specially the bloodstream. This creates the risk of developing serious illnesses.

Common Factors Associated:

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease and Stroke
• Pregnancy Complications
• Respiratory Disease
• Osteoporosis

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums and other tooth-supporting structures that have been infected by bacteria. If untreated, the inflammation travels into the jawbone and can travel throughout the rest of the body. Currently, 75% of American’s are suffering from some sort of gingivitis or periodontal disease [1].

Classification of Periodontal Disease:

• Initial Periodontitis
• Early Periodontitis
• Chronic Periodontitis
• Aggressive Periodontitis
• Necrotizing Periodontitis

1) Scaling and root planning

Periodontal scaling and root planing is the initial, noninvasive therapy to alleviate the cause of gum inflammation and subsequent bone loss. This therapeutic procedure is effective in treating patients that suffer from mild gum inflammation, or gingivitis, to a more moderate and/or severe periodontal disease.
The reasons one may be diagnosed for scaling and root
planing periodontal therapy include:

• Prevention of disease
• Protection of the teeth
• Improved oral health
• Improved breath

2) Antibiotic pellet therapy (Arestin) and /or laser treatment:

Antibiotic treatment for gum disease
Periodontal disease is a gradually destructive condition, which leads to severe inflammation with subsequent tooth and bone loss when left untreated.
Upon return to our office after the initial periodontal scaling and root planning, our dentist or dental hygienist will evaluate your gum pockets to determine if further treatment is necessary.
One treatment option is the direct delivery of antibiotics into the gum pocket. The minocycline antibiotic, Arestin ® comes in small pellets which are applied into the gum pockets weeks after scaling and root planning. Research suggests that it is more advantageous to wait for the healing of the gum tissues before application of an anttic.
Second option is to use laser to eliminate the bacteria that live deep in the pockets around the teeth.
Proper regular home care and regular perio-maintanace is necessary to control the level of return and growth of the bacteria in the pockets.

3) Osseous Surgery:

If the periodontal desiese is too advanced or too aggressive and after patient has been treated with Deep cleaning and antibiotics / laser still has pockets more than 4 mm, we refer the patient to periodontics for further treatment.

Gum therapy for recession:

The loss of gum tissue around the surfaces of the teeth is an irreversible process that will progressively become worse if not stopped. Gum recession begins during one’s teenage years and becomes commonly found in adults over the age of 40 due to the gradual onset.

Gum recession presents with the following symptoms:

• Tooth sensitivity – When the roots become exposed due to the loss of gum tissue, this exposes the underlying layers of each tooth
• Visible Roots
• Progressively longer looking teeth due to the lost gum tissue
• Bad breath along with gum inflammation and bleeding are all caused by the same bacteria that cause the gums to recede when they are embedded underneath the gum tissue

Risk Factors of Gum Recession

• Overaggressive tooth brushing
• Poor oral hygiene
• Tobacco products
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)

Misdiagnosed Gum Recession

Abfraction occurs as tiny notches caused by an unequally distribution of force on teeth, mostly caused from incorrect bite, chewing, clenching, and grinding. All of which put undue pressure on teeth, causing them to flex. They occur Teeth with these notches can become progressively weaker through time, leaving them prone to further micro fractures and at a higher risk of breaking. These lesions do not heal with time and although some may worsen, unless severe, they do not require treatment.
The progression of these lesions can be prevented from becoming more severe by correcting the underlying cause of undue stress and the uneven distribution of forces on these teeth.

Maintenance

After gum tissue health has been attained, it is up to your daily at-home practice of dental care to keep the teeth and gums free from new or recurrent bacterial presence.
Our dedicated team of dental hygienists will be able to assess your needs and create an at-home care plan designed for you! This includes making recommendations on toothbrushes, toothpastes, or floss for specific conditions to make it easy for you to achieve maximum oral health. Although all our patient’s receive a toothbrush kit with these aids after each cleaning appointment, sometimes, patients with periodontal disease require some special aids to help with their at home care.