Dr. Shimizu Offers a Full Range of Surgical & Non-Surgical Periodontal Gum Related Therapies!

Clean, healthy gums are especially important for your oral health and your overall health in general!  If left untreated, periodontitis and other gum conditions will progress and could cause tooth loss and other problems in your mouth. The primary goal of San Jose dentist Dr. Shimizu when it comes to periodontal gum treatment is to control the cause and the risk factors associated with gum disease.

Here Are Some of the Periodontal Services We Provide Here in San Jose!

Laser Gum Therapy

One significant difference in our office regarding the treatment of periodontal disease is our use of the soft-tissue laser. A gum pocket is composed of the tooth root on one side and the inner gum lining on the other. The root can be detoxified very efficiently with periodontal scalers and the use of ultrasonics. However, removing diseased tissue from the inner gum pocket, called curettage, was more difficult with the limited effectiveness of hand instruments. The advent of the laser has greatly improved our ability to achieve this, and has resulted in greatly reducing the number of patients needing periodontal surgery. Our certified hygienists have been using the diode laser since 1997 – ask any of them how the laser might improve your situation.

Gum Bleaching ( Gum Depigmentation )

If your gums are discolored, but are otherwise healthy, then you are a good candidate for Dr.Shimizu’s Laser Gum Depigmentation treatment here in San Jose.  This procedure removes a thin top layer of your gum tissue and during the healing process, a new tissue is created which will tend to be pink rather than brown.

Although darkened gums can be caused by smoking, medication side effects, and even metal fillings, for most people the most common cause of is genetics.  Melanin, which is responsible for eye, hair, and skin color can build up in the gums, making them look brown or black instead of pink. This build-up of Melanin is not an indicator of a disease, and people who seek treatment generally aren’t doing it for health reasons, but rather to just look better.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Non-surgical therapy removes plaque and calculus by controlling the growth of harmful bacteria and by treating conditions that encourage gum disease. This type of treatment may be all that’s needed, especially when periodontal disease is caught early. You may also need to have certain procedures, such as replacing worn fillings or crowns with overhanging margins that can accumulate plaque, taken care of before periodontal therapy can begin.

Occlusal Adjustment

An improper bite or a traumatic occlusion may increase bone destruction attached to such offending teeth. We may either choose to adjust your bite so that your teeth meet properly and function better or construct a custom bite guard or splint- a removable device that fits over upper or lower teeth – to protect teeth surfaces and relax tense jaw muscles.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling is a type of cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from the teeth at and slightly below the gum line. Root planing smooths root surfaces, so the supportive tissues can better reattach to the tooth surface. Often, this will be done with local anesthesia so you can relax and feel nothing as we rehabilitate your gums.

Antibiotics

Periodontal disease is a bacterial disease and the key to controlling or eliminating it is the effective reduction or elimination of the harmful bacteria. An adjunctive option to scaling and root planing may be provided in either pill form or applied directly to the infected area (gum pocket) in the form of antibiotic powder. An antibacterial mouth rinse also may be prescribed to help control the harmful effects of and reduce bacterial plaque.

EMDOGAIN™

EMDOGAIN™ uses proteins to regenerate lost gum tissue and bone.  It reverses gum disease naturally, much like the way stem cells work to generate new cell growth.  Compared to other treatments, EMDOGAIN™ is much less invasive and more cost effective than other procedures and our patients experience, less pain, swelling and discomfort.  Watch the video to learn more!

For more information about our Periodontal Gum services here in San Jose, or the other dental services we provide, give our office a call at 408.923.5511 or email us at Info@BerryessaDental.com. We look forward to working with you to create optimal oral health.
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