periodontal services  Bowie, TX

Periodontal Services

Periodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease as well as the process of replacing teeth with dental implants. Periodontists receive up to three years of additional, specialized training in treating periodontal disease and other conditions.

Periodontists are also specialists in treating oral inflammation and any condition requiring either non-surgical treatment or oral plastic surgery. Oftentimes, periodontists are treating conditions caused by periodontal disease and its effects such as persistent bad breath or gum recession.

Dental Implants  Bowie, TX

Dental Implants

We are proud to offer dental implants for our patients. Dental implants are roots placed in your mouth for either permanent teeth to be placed on or ones that you can remove.

Dental implants are done to improve a patient’s smile and usually their self esteem. Having missing or bad teeth can be quite embarrassing. Dental implants also can be done to improve oral health. Many people find it easier to eat with dental implants. Their speech can also be improved. Dental implants are also more comfortable because they are made to become permanent.

When done correctly, and with proper care, dental implants can last a patient’s whole life. It is still important to brush your teeth, floss, and use mouthwash when you have implants. Patients still need routine dental checkups to keep their implants healthy.
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Crown Lengthening  Bowie, TX

Crown Lengthening

For patients who believe that their smile is too “gummy” or that their teeth are too short, we are proud to offer crown lengthening services to fix those concerns. Crown lengthening procedures are done to expose more of the tooth and remove extra gum tissue. By doing this, we can reshape your gums and help give your teeth the look and shape you desire. In addition to the life-changing results, crown lengthening is a minimally-invasive procedure that will allow for a more balanced, even smile.

Before we begin treatment, we will first meet to learn more about your desired results as well as determine if crown lengthening is the best procedure for you. Factors such as oral hygiene and gum health will determine the best course of action and treatment plan. During the dental crown lengthening procedure, our team will remove excess gum and bone tissue to reshape the tooth to expose a more natural tooth. This procedure can be done to just one single tooth or several, or even to your entire gum line. These changes can be done for restorative or cosmetic purposes depending on your needs.

The recovery time for the crown lengthening procedure is approximately three months. As your gums heal, you’ll be able to resume normal habits and functions. In recovery, you will be asked to avoid demanding activities during the first two to three days after your operation. Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure and increased sensitivity after the treatment is complete, but with a personalized treatment plan we can help manage any discomfort and pain. Moving forward, practicing good oral hygiene is paramount.

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Periodontal Disease Treatment  Bowie, TX

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease is a serious issue that affects many people’s lives. Luckily our experienced periodontists are capable of treating periodontal disease in our patients, a field in which they have rigorous training and education.

The cleaning of calculus, or tartar, is a major component of treating periodontal disease. However, changes in the patient’s behavior are just as important. Making sure your dental hygiene habits are up to par is critical in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so it is critical to properly care for them. If you have periodontal disease, don’t feel hopeless. It is a treatable disease, but one that requires the patient to be aware and active with their dental care.

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Scaling & Root Planing  Bowie, TX

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are a more in-depth, thorough cleaning treatment recommended for patients who may be suffering from periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, this type of gum infection is caused by bacteria and plaque forming on your teeth over time and causing inflammation. While serious, periodontal disease is treatable. However, it can lead to bone or tooth loss if not treated quickly.

When your gums become inflamed, bacteria hides in pockets that trigger the gums to push away from the teeth. Once these layers or pockets have been formed, it is nearly impossible to clean them with just brushing alone. This is where scaling and root planing becomes necessary. During the scaling portion of this conventional periodontal therapy, our team will use a scaling tool to remove any plaque, bacteria, and tartar around the affected tooth and below the gumline all the way to the bottom of the infected pocket.

After the scaling is complete, we will move onto root planing. The root planing technique is used to smooth out the tooth’s root and ultimately remove the pocket caused by bacteria. When the root has been effectively smoothed, the gums can be reattached and have a greater chance of fully healing.

Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure and increased sensitivity after the treatment is complete, but with a personalized treatment plan, we can help manage any discomfort and pain. Moving forward, practicing good oral hygiene is paramount for making sure that periodontal disease doesn’t become worse after seeking initial treatment at our office.

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Arestin

Here at Laws Family Dental, we are happy to administer Arestin to patients in need. We are proud to assist patients in Bowie, TX and the surrounding communities.

Periodontal disease is a serious infection in the gums that will begin below your gum line. If it is left untreated, gum disease can worsen quickly. This can cause pockets to form in the gums as well as the surrounding areas of the tooth and lead to bone and tooth loss.

Arestin is minocycline hydrochloride and is an antibiotic. It can kill the bacteria that are causing this infection. Our dentist is proud to be able to administer this antibiotic to help his patients’ oral health. We are able to treat you right here in our office.

Receiving Arestin is quick and easy. First, we will place it directly in the infected area or “pocket” in your gums. Next, we will apply it right after scaling and root planing. These are very common dental procedures that disrupt plaque that is stuck as well as bacteria that has grown below your gum line. Many people have a hard time reaching these places when they are flossing and brushing.

Our entire staff is knowledgeable and educated. You can always ask us any questions before, during, or after your appointment. Your health is our top priority. We want you to be proud of your smile, and receiving Arestin if you are having issues can help you feel confident.

If you have any questions regarding Arestin, contact us today at (940) 872-8882.

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Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove cells or a tissue sample so that it can be analyzed for any abnormalities. Your doctor may want to proceed with a biopsy to identify any unknown or unusual areas found.

In dentistry, it is common to examine tissue from the gums, bone, and teeth for any signs of disease or infection. An oral biopsy is commonly used to identify forms of oral cancer. This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure with the help of a fine needle or scalpel. Local anesthetics or topical creams are administered to the area in concern. If in a difficult to reach area, a general anesthetic may be required. In some cases, a sample can be drawn from a needle inserted into the lesion, in others however, the entire removal may be recommended. After the biopsy has been completed, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for testing.

You can expected soreness in your biopsy area for a few days following the procedure. Other commonly reported side effects include bleeding and swelling, both of which should subside within 2-3 days.

Any unexplained lesions should be looked at by your doctor. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (940) 872-8882.

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Canine Exposure

Canine exposure is a procedure used to assist when a canine tooth has become impacted. In some cases, due to overcrowding or inadequate space, teeth may be unable to erupt properly. This creates an impacted canine tooth. It is important to allow for these teeth to properly fit into your gum line as they are the “cornerstone” teeth and are very important for everything from aesthetics to function.

Canine exposure is a minor procedure which is performed in your dentist’s office under local anesthetics. Once numb, the dentist will thoroughly clean the problem area before making small incisions to remove part of the gum and bone if needed. Several options are then available as discussed with you by your doctor to see which is best for you. A bracket and chain, a cover plate, and a gauze pack are options which your dentist will use to help promote healing in your particular condition. Dissolvable sutures are then placed to seal the area.

You may experience some pain, minor bleeding, and swelling following the procedure. This is normal and can be controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. It is also recommended that you avoid vigorous exercise as well as extreme hot/cold food and drinks for a few days following. Lastly, your sutures will dissolve within 2-4 weeks.

Canine exposure is an excellent option for patients looking to improve and expose their natural smile with a minimally invasive procedure. For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (940) 872-8882.

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Frenectomy

A frenectomy refers to the process of operating on a frenulum. A frenulum is a piece of tissue which prevents a structure from moving. You have two of these which attach the upper and lower lips to the gum tissue as well as one which attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In some cases, an atypical shape in the frenulum can lead to speech difficulties, tooth misalignment, and feeding problems. A minor, outpatient procedure can help resolve these issues.

Some cases in which a frenectomy is needed include: when there is excess spacing between the two front teeth, and the incorrect positioning of a frenulum causing gum recession or restricted tongue movement. For most patients treatment is performed in childhood to reduce the chance of developing further issues in adulthood.

The frenectomy is performed in a dentist’s office while the patient is under local anesthetics. The frenulum, which is too short or too thick, is then cut using a laser or scalpel and reshaped appropriately. Most patients experience little to no side effects. Some of the commonly seen after effects include some swelling, bleeding, and minimal pain at the site of the procedure.

For more information on our services or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (940) 872-8882.

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Occlusal Adjustment

Here at Laws Family Dental, we are proud to offer occlusal adjustments for our patients. Many people suffer from uneven bites. Their jaws may feel like they are lopsided. Many wake up every morning with a sore jaw because of this.

Jaws can be misaligned for many reasons. The most common reason for misalignment is missing teeth or loose, shifting, or even crowded teeth. These conditions give you the feeling that you have more pressure on one side of your jaw than the other when you bite. It can be hard to eat and even painful to talk.

People who grind their teeth may also have uneven bites. We have also had success when using this procedure on those with sensitive teeth.

For this reason, we are proud to offer occlusal adjustments. It is our goal to give you a good bite. This procedure is not very painful, and afterward you shouldn’t have too much discomfort.

When we do adjustments, we use a dental drill and a filing stone. We may also use removable mouthpieces to help protect your teeth and relax your jaw.

We are dedicated to staying on top of the latest dental advances, so we are constantly learning new and better ways to perform this procedure. We can now scan your mouth and find the areas that need adjustment. This helps us to make the smallest adjustments to get the outcome we want.

If you think your mouth feels uneven or you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (940) 872-8882.

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Periodontal Splinting

Here at Laws Family Dental, we are proud to offer periodontal splinting. Periodontal splinting is used for loose and weak teeth. It is done to stabilize the teeth. Basically, we place a splint behind your loose or weak tooth to help support it. We attach the loose tooth to another tooth.

Because the splint is behind your tooth, nobody will ever notice!

Even if your teeth are loose from an injury or grinding your teeth, periodontal splinting can help because it evens out your bite. That way you bite evenly on all of your teeth instead of putting pressure on just one or two of them.

If periodontal disease is the reason your teeth are weak, it is important to get the disease under control. We recommend a thorough cleaning along with routine brushing and flossing. We also recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. Often just getting the disease under control will strengthen your teeth. If they need more support, we would be happy to do the procedure.

If you have any questions about periodontal splinting or would like an examination, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (940) 872-8882.

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