Periodontal & Dental Implant Services

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium, which are placed in the jawbone. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow custom made restorations such as crowns, bridges and dentures to be placed on the dental implants to complete your new smile.

Crown Lengthening

Commonly used to expose more tooth structure. Crown lengthening involves the removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of a tooth’s structure.

Gum Grafting

Commonly used to treat root exposure resulting from receded gum tissue. Tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth or from gum tissue near the tooth and stitched into the area needing gingival repair.

Bone Grafting

The replacement or enhancement of bone around teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone collapses. Bone grafting is performed to reverse bone loss or enhance bone. The bone can be taken from parts of the body or from synthetic material. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses.

Bone Regeneration

This procedure is used to regenerate lost bone around existing teeth, or in an area where teeth have been extracted. This procedure is often performed to protect your existing teeth and the tissues that keep them in place from bacterial plaque. The gingival tissue is folded back to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes, bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage the body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

Osseous Surgery (Pocket Depth Reduction)

A surgical procedure used to smooth and reshape affected bone under the gum tissue. This procedure is performed when a pocket around a tooth (or teeth) has not responded to other treatments. It creates a shallow pocket, making it difficult for bacteria to survive and damage bone, which results in bone loss and, ultimately, tooth loss.

Ridge Expansion

Adequate bone volume of the jawbone is necessary for the secure placement, stability, function, aesthetics and longevity of implants. Because tooth loss can result in diminished bone volume in the jawbone, a bone expansion procedure may be necessary prior to implant placement. This procedure can increase the height and/or width of the jaw ridge through the use of mechanical manipulation combined with a bone graft. The Ridge Expansion takes several months to mature and be sufficiently strong for the placement of implants. Ridge Expansion not only improves the function of implants, but is also a key contributor to the enhanced aesthetics, filling in the face around the gums and jaw and thus minimizing the appearance of aging.

Additional Services

Computer Guided Surgery

Using CBCT scans and restorative virtual treatment planning, along with specialized training, Dr. Kaner is able to provide computer guided surgical treatment for his patients.

Using a virtual 3-D model or a physical model, restorative procedures such as implant placement can be simulated to create the ideal patient treatment plan. These virtual plans allow the doctor to take multiple aspects of implant placement and restoration into consideration, resulting in optimal aesthetics, function and longevity for the patient’s final restoration. Working with a 3-D model also allows patients to better understand the planned procedures and visualize the end result. The use of the computer guided surgery helps to increase the accuracy, efficiency and safety and predictability of the treatment.

Lip Repositioning

For patients whose smile shows a lot of gum tissue, there are several treatment options available to change the aesthetics of their smile. Many “gummy smiles” can be corrected using the Pinhole Surgical Technique or by using a laser to contour the gum tissue. Other treatment options include:

Combining Gum Surgery with Veneers to both reduce the gum and to create a longer tooth, so that more teeth show when the patient smiles.

Botox of the Upper Lip – Botox treatment can change the movement of the lip when a patient smiles, preventing it from lifting as high and exposing excessive gum tissue. This treatment can be very effective but is temporary and would need to be maintained.

Maxillofacial Surgery – This surgical procedure involves breaking the jaw in order to reposition it for improved function and / or aesthetics. To correct a gummy smile the jaw can be positioned higher so that less gum tissue shows when the patient smiles.

Ridge Preservation

Sinus Grafts

A sinus graft is a surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the premolar and molar areas of your mouth. An incision is made to add bone where the premolar and molar teeth were previously. A small circular shape is made in the bone to access the sinus and the sinus membrane is gently pushed up and away from the upper jaw. Once this is completed, bone graft material is filled into the space where the sinus was previously, the incision is closed and the healing process begins.

Extractions

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is gently removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.

Oral Cancer Screening

Biopsy

The smooth, pink skin lining the mouth is called mucosa. Abnormalities in the color or texture of this skin can sometimes indicate pathology. Any concerns with the skin in the mouth, a sore that is not healing properly or a lump on the inside of the cheeks, palate, gums or lips may merit a biopsy so that the tissue sample can be tested for oral cancer. Please do not ignore these warning signs and mention any concerns you may have during your visit.

Nightguards

Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, sometimes referred to as “laughing gas,” is an effective and safe sedation agent that is inhaled through a mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. Mixed with oxygen, Nitrous oxide allows you to breathe normally through your nose and within minutes you should start to feel the effects. You may feel light-headed or a tingling in your arms and legs. Some patient’s comment that their legs and arms feel heavy. Ultimately, you should feel comfortable and calm. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly after the small mask is removed. Talk to the doctor about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is an alternative sedation that allows patients to be relaxed during procedures. A Board Certified Anesthesiologist will combine the use of IV sedation along with a local anesthetic so you have little to no discomfort and will have no memory of the procedure.

During IV sedation, our patients’ vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate are continuously monitored by our trained staff. Patients should plan to have someone bring them to the appointment and be available to drive them home following treatment.

Maintenance Services

Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal Maintenance Program

Home care is an extremely important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but even excellent home care cannot prevent bacteria and plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden, becoming calculus. We will recommend a periodontal maintenance program that is best for you based on how quickly you develop calculus and your past and current periodontal health. During your maintenance visits we will perform and oral examination as well as a dental cleaning.

During an oral examination, a visual inspection is performed to detect normal and abnormal structures of the entire mouth, head and neck. Along with radiographs, an examination detects cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession and any other abnormal findings within the mouth, head and neck

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.

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