Any medical or dental surgical procedure carries an element of risk for complication and/or failure. Risk factors can greatly vary from patient to patient. Smoking and nicotine use of ANY KIND, including cigarettes, cigars, vaping, marijuana, dipping (smokeless and chewing tobacco) has been documented in scientific literature to delay wound healing and therefore increases the risks of complications and failure.
Complications can include post-operative complications such as pain, swelling and infection. Literature also shows increased risk of implant and bone graft failure and long-term failure of periodontal surgery. We don’t recommend any smoking or vaping two months prior to treatment and recommend not to continue to smoke after treatment because it will hamper healing, may cause failure of the procedure and necessitate retreatment if even possible.
Smoking after extraction can cause a dry socket. Dry socket is a painful dental condition that sometimes happens after you have a tooth removed. When you smoke, the sucking sensation that comes from inhaling cigarettes can pull the blood clot from the socket. This leaves the nerves exposed and vulnerable to infection. If an infection develops, that leads to a dry socket and severe pain that can last as long as a week.
What is Tori Removal?
Dental tori are bony growths in the mouth that can cause irritation or discomfort. Sometimes it’s necessary to have tori removed.
If you feel a bump in your mouth around your teeth, you may have a mandibular torus—a growth of excess bone around your jaw. Tori can be caused by:
- Genetic factors
- Teeth grinding (known as bruxism)
- Stress on the jaw
Often, tori are harmless, but they can cause irritation and make some dental procedures difficult. For example, you may need to have a mandibular torus removed to get fitted for dentures, or if the tori are preventing you from being able to properly clean the inside of your teeth and causing periodontal disease.
Tori dental removal is a process that we perform in our Clearwater, FL office.
When you have periodontal disease, space begins to form between your teeth and the gum tissue that surrounds them. This space is called a periodontal pocket. The deeper the pocket, the greater the risk of tooth loss.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will perform a full periodontal charting at your visit to check for pocketing, infection (bleeding or pus), gum recession, & bone loss or defects in the bone. #brittenperio #clearwaterperiodontist
Q: I have big gums and short teeth, so when I smile you can almost only see my gums. I don’t smile very often anymore because I am so self conscious of my gums. Is there a way to improve my smile?
A: Yes, there may be a way to enhance your smile. It’s a good idea to discuss your options with a periodontist first. He or she can explain the best way to create the smile you want, as well as answer any questions that you may have. For example, one procedure that can remove excess gum tissue is called crown lengthening. After the excess gum tissue is removed, the gum line is then reshaped in order to create the right proportion between gum tissue and tooth surface. Your general dentist and periodontist may also work together to coordinate additional treatments such as veneers or crowns. However, your periodontist and general dentist will recommend the best procedure to improve your smile.
SEDATION
Dental anxiety affects many patients and can hinder them from taking the next step to achieve their oral health care goals. Dr. Britten is highly trained and certified in both IV conscious sedation and oral sedation.
He is one of the few Periodontists in the Tampa Bay area who offers IV sedation. Sedation dentistry can provide a calming experience for patients who have experienced high
levels of anxiety related to dental treatment.
IV CONSCIOUS SEDATION
Intravenous (IV) Sedation helps even our most anxious patients remain relaxed and comfortable during procedures. Many patients feel as though they, “went to sleep” during the sedation.
The goal of IV conscious sedation is not to provide general anesthesia but instead to allow our patients to remain conscious and relaxed with minimal risk during the procedure.
ORAL SEDATION
Is a prescription medication that can relieve anxiety patients feel before and during their dental exam. It allows patients to respond verbally and physically to directions all while in a very “restful” state.
Patients using oral sedation will need to be driven to and from the procedure.
You may be a candidate for Sedation Dentistry if you have experienced any of the following:
High Fear
Had traumatic dental experiences
Difficulty getting numb
A bad gag reflex
Very sensitive teeth
A fear of needles and shots
Aversion to the noises, smells, and tastes associated with dental care
LOCAL ANESTHETIC
For most periodontal procedures, a local anesthetic is utilized to numb the area being treated.
Some anesthetics are short acting and others last several hours. Dr. Britten will determine which local anesthetics are best for the procedure.
Questions? Contact:
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Gingivitis
The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. It is an inflammation of the gingiva or gums and is characterized by red, tender, swollen gums, and halitosis or bad breath. It is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist, healthy nutrition and the cessation of smoking. This form of gum disease does not involve any loss of bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.
Periodontitis
The next stage of periodontal disease is periodontitis. It causes irreversible damage to the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth in the mouth. As it progresses the pockets deepen and the body’s immune system initiates an inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself and the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are broken down and destroyed. If not treated the teeth may eventually become loose and need to be removed. While the initial cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, there are other risk factors making one susceptible to periodontal disease:
Risk Factors
Smoking
Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease, and can lower the chances for successful treatment.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes in girls and women can make the tissue more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop. This includes puberty, menopause, and pregnancy.
Diabetes
Diabetes lowers the body’s immune system, making it easier for people to develop infections including gum disease.
Medications
Medications can affect the flow of the saliva which makes the oral tissues vulnerable to infections. Some medications can cause abnormal overgrowth of the gum tissue which makes it difficult to keep the teeth and gum tissue clean.
For more information, visit: https://brittenperio.com/oral-health/periodontal-disease/
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When you have periodontal disease, the 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. Traditionally, gum disease is treated by eliminating these gum pockets and creating a clean environment around the tooth so that the tooth or teeth can be retained rather than lost. The infected gum tissue is trimmed away and uneven bone tissue re¬contoured. Periodontal flap surgical therapy remains one of the most effective ways of treating gum disease.
For more information on the surgical procedures performed in our office, visit our website at:
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