• (727) 586-2681
  • 1472 Jordan Hills Court, Clearwater, FL 33756

periodontist

Dental insurance information provided by Britten Periodontics in Clearwater, Florida

Dental Benefits: How Can They Help Pay for Periodontal Treatment

Dr. Britten accepts your dental insurance as an out of network provider. What does this mean for you?
 
Understandably, many patients often have questions when it comes to understanding and utilizing dental insurance benefits, especially if extensive dentistry is needed. Dental insurance can provide assistance for dental health care expenses, however, often procedures that are covered often vary widely and the benefit to us is often below the actual cost of treatment.
 
When choosing how to budget for dental health care, or choosing the right benefit plan, it is important to take into consideration the different types of plans available. There are usually two main kinds of insurance plans: group plans or individual plans. A group plan, typically offered by your employer, is often a better value for your money when it comes to dental insurance. These plans have lower premiums and reasonable benefit coverage. Your benefit package can vary greatly depending upon what your employer has negotiated with the insurance company. Group plans often include dental HMOs, PPOs and indemnity plans. It is important to investigate if the plan that you select will allow you to see the doctor you want to see as well as receive the care you deserve. HMO’s typically only let you visit a doctor within your network, whereas a PPO and indemnity plan will still allow you coverage outside the insurance company’s “network”. Another type of plan, an individual plan, is also available. These plans are often more costly in the long run than simply “paying as you go” for your dental care. These plans can have high premiums and restrictive limitations on treatment and reimbursement.
 
As an out-of-network provider, our office can provide a treatment plan that is based on your clinical needs, overall health, financial limitations and desires and preferences. Following an extensive exam, and thorough consultation with Dr. Britten, you can make better decisions for your dental health care that are in your best interest to support lasting oral health:
 
Your periodontal health has an effect on your daily quality of life as well as your overall health. Addressing dental issues in earlier stages will save money in the long run. But no matter if you are experiencing a minor or isolated issue, or a more generalized or even severe issue, Dr. Britten and his staff are dedicated to helping you attain the best possible quality of life through conservative, comprehensive periodontal care. Our goal is to help our patients to restore our patients’ smiles to what was naturally intended: a healthy, natural, beautiful, and functional smile.
Clearwater periodontist Dr. Todd Britten at Britten Periodontics dental office

I was recently diagnosed with periodontal disease. How often should I see my periodontist for an examination?

Regular examinations are very important to keep track of the present status of your disease and any disease progression over time. Your periodontist will work with you to create a maintenance schedule depending on how advanced your periodontal disease is at that time. Based on many variable factors such as your overall health, the severity of bone loss, and risk factors such as smoking and genetics, your periodontist will constantly tailor your care so your periodontal disease does not progress further. He or she may recommend exams every six months for mild periodontal disease, or every few months for more advanced stages.

–Perio.org

Britten Periodontics team sponsoring Clearwater community event

Who should treat my periodontal disease: my general dentist or a periodontist?

Instead of leaving your treatment to one dental professional, you should consider having both your general dentist and a periodontist be actively involved in the diagnosis and treatment of your periodontal disease. This team approach will help your general dentist (who is familiar with your dental and medical history) and your periodontist (who has extensive experience treating periodontal disease) collaborate to tailor a treatment plan that works best for your individual case.

–Perio.org

Accreditations and certifications of Dr. Todd Britten at Britten Periodontics in Clearwater, Florida

Periodontists are taking extra precautions to protect patient safety during global pandemic

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) stresses the importance of maintaining periodontal health during the COVID-19 outbreak. The AAP also announced that its members are committed to implementing rigorous safety measures in an effort to ensure the health and well-being of patients and reduce the risk of exposure during the pandemic.

“It is well-established science that periodontal disease and systemic disease are interconnected,” said Dr. Bryan Frantz, President of the AAP. “As a result, establishing and maintaining healthy teeth and gums is fundamental to overall health. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly affected most aspects of life, but with the right patient safety measures in place that align with state and local guidelines, it should not impact your ability to receive periodontal care.”

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, can cause bleeding gums, bad breath, and if left untreated lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease has been linked to several other serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.

The WHO’s recent recommendations to delay non-essential dental care cite the risk of disease transmission as a result of the close proximity between dental professionals and patients and due to the aerosols produced by certain dental procedures. However, there is limited evidence to support the claim that dental offices pose an increased risk of spreading disease, including COVID-19.

Additionally, the AAP states that routine visits with a periodontist are crucial to maintaining the health of teeth and gums. “Many patients under the care of a periodontist are undergoing a comprehensive treatment plan,” says Dr. Frantz. “Regular check-ups are an important part of this treatment, and any delay in care could lead to a worsening of their periodontal condition.”

Accordingto Dr. Frantz, periodontists are uniquely experienced in infection control and other safety measures to protect themselves and their patients from disease exposure. “As dental professionals who are predominantly involved with surgical procedures, periodontists have always been committed to ensuring that effective safety barriers are in place for patients. While the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us, members of the AAP are adhering to COVID-19 mandates issued by state and local agencies and implementing additional measures to ensure the safety of both their patients and their staff.”

Additional measures include regular temperature checks for both staff and patients, social distancing, the use of personal protective equipment such as face shields, masks, and gloves, and rigorous infection control and sanitation procedures.

For more information or to find a periodontist, visit perio.org.

Source:  https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/american-academy-of-periodontology-stresses-the-importance-of-periodontal-health-during-covid-19-1003954235/

About the American Academy of Periodontology:

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the leading professional association of periodontists, dentistry’s experts in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gum disease and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. AAP members are dedicated to supporting the optimal oral and overall health and excellent quality of life for their patients through exceptional periodontal care. Periodontists receive three years of additional training following dental school to hone their clinical, surgical, and anatomical skills. Periodontics is one of the twelve recognized specialties of the American Dental Association (ADA).

Before and after results of non-surgical periodontal therapy at Britten Periodontics in Clearwater, for improved oral health.

Who should see a periodontist?

Some patients’ periodontal needs can be managed by the general dentist. However, as more and more patients are exhibiting signs of periodontal disease, coupled with research that suggests a relationship between periodontal disease and other chronic diseases of aging, periodontal treatment may necessitate a greater understanding and increased level of expertise by a trained specialist. Patients who present with moderate or severe levels of periodontal disease, or patients with more complex cases, will be best managed by a partnership between the dentist and periodontist. A referral directly from a general dentist is not necessary to visit a periodontist.

Periodontists often treat more problematic periodontal cases, such as those with moderate to severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned) or root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed). They can also treat patients with severe gum problems using a range of surgical procedures. In addition, periodontists are specially trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.

If you have questions about your gum health, contact us today!

Britten Periodontics team in Clearwater Florida

COVID 19 UPDATE 4/28/20

Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe
and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to
keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA) www.ada.org, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control.html and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html. We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help
protect our patients and staff. For example:

• Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be
asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
• We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find
some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
• You may see that our reception area will no longer offer magazines or other reading materials,
since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean
that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
• We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well
as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 727-586-2681.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely,
Dr. Todd Britten and Team

Options for tooth replacement after tooth loss at Britten Periodontics in Clearwater, FL, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures to restore function and appearance.

Why replace lost teeth

When a tooth is removed, the bone shrinks away and the other teeth in the area will shift to fill the gap. This can sometimes lead to other problems like shifting of other teeth, causing bone loss or decay around the existing teeth as they become more difficult to clean.

Watch this great video from Spear Education about missing teeth and tooth loss!

Click here:
https://spearedu.co/l2DeZob

If you have questions about replacing teeth lost to fractures, decay or gum disease, contact us today

Dr. Todd Britten discusses the effects of unconscious clenching and grinding.

Tooth Wear: Why it Matters

Treating Worn Teeth – Fortunately, modern dentistry can restore the normal shape, appearance and function of worn teeth — beautifully and successfully!

The cause of tooth wear must be determined during an oral examination at the dental office. Once the cause has been identified, the stresses on your teeth can be reduced if need be. For example, you may need instruction on gentle, effective tooth brushing techniques; or some changes to your diet. If you have a clenching or grinding habit, a mouthguard can be custom-made for you that will protect your teeth during sleep or periods of high stress.

Lost tooth structure sometimes needs to be replaced so your bite functions properly and your teeth look great once again. Depending on the situation, this can be done with bonding, veneers, or crowns.

Watch this video from Spear Education

https://spearedu.co/OMYgKcH

Dr. Todd Britten, board-certified periodontist in Clearwater, Florida, with advanced training in periodontology, implant dentistry, and memberships in professional dental organizations.

Why choose a Board-Certified Periodontist

A few years ago, Dr. Todd Britten successfully passed the rigorous requirements to become a Board-Certified Diplomate of The American Board of Periodontology. Board-Certified periodontists are held to a higher level of care and skill by the American Board of Periodontology and we know he is so proud to be a Diplomate of this professional organization.

“The Mission of the American Board of Periodontology is to Advance the Art and Science of Periodontics and Elevate the Quality of Periodontal care through the Examination, Certification, and Recertification of Periodontists and by Encouraging the Achievement and Maintenance of Diplomate status.”

Dr. Britten is committed to excellent patient care by continually updating his skills and knowledge of new procedures and technology so that he can provide the highest quality, least invasive care available in our industry.

A Diplomate is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and who is certified by the American Board of Periodontology.

To be educationally qualified for Board certification requires:

  • Certification as a dentist, including basic college education and completion of dental school to earn the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree and;
  • Certification as a periodontist after successful completion of an educational program in Periodontology, which is accredited by Commission on Dental Accrediation of the American Dental Association.
  • Comprehensive qualifying and oral examination covering all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment, including dental implants.
  • Recertification every six years.
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Breakthrough laser procedure to preserve dental implants offered by Britten Periodontics, Clearwater periodontist Dr. Todd Britten.

Breakthrough laser procedure to save dental implants

Dental implants are a great way to give you a beautiful and functional smile, they are not without limitations. Some patients could experience swelling or infection around their implants, which is known as peri-implantitis.

If you noticed a change in your implants, Dr. Todd Britten can provide a breakthrough procedure following the LAPIP® protocol.

How the Procedure Works

This procedure is minimally invasive, due to the use of cutting-edge, gentle laser technology. This allows Dr. Britten to treat peri-implantitis without the need for incisions. During the procedure, our state-of-the-art PerioLase laser targets the inflamed area of the gum tissue and eliminates harmful bacteria and infection that has developed. There is no need to worry about an extensive recovery period, sutures or any incisions.

The importance of eliminating unhealthy tissue

Even though dental implants are a great option for patients who have lost their teeth due to periodontal disease, the disease can still continue even around dental implants.

It is essential that diseased implants receive proper treatment as soon as possible to protect these implants, other teeth, bone structure and oral health.

If you think your gums might be inflamed around your dental implants, schedule an appointment with us today. Contact us today to learn more about the LAPIP® protocol and its many benefits to you and your oral health.

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