Dr. Kania uses digital dental x-rays to provide fast and
accurate diagnoses of dental disease. The process of digitally capturing an
image is much faster than conventional radiography. The digital x-ray system
is more sensitive than conventional x-ray film systems, so your exposure is
greatly reduced. Enhancements such as colorization allow for detection of
pathologic changes earlier than ever before.
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Dr. Kania may require models of your teeth. These
diagnostic impressions help in treatment planning long after you leave the
office. Often consultations are needed between Dr. Kania and your other
treating dentists. Diagnostic models allow for planning of tooth movement,
tooth replacement and dental implants.
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Dr. Kania will work closely with your dental care
providers to ensure that your dental health is optimal. After a thorough
periodontal examination and collection of required records, she will work
with your dental team in planning the best course of treatment for you.
Often multiple disciplines are called upon to provide you with your desired
outcome. After periodontal stability is achieved, other considerations may
include orthodontics, dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.
Your personal concerns and desires are incorporated into
your treatment plan. Considerations regarding personal preferences, duration
of treatment and financial investments must be included in your plan. We
look forward to assisting you obtain and maintain the benefits of optimal
dental health.
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A dental prophylaxis is a dental cleaning for a person
without periodontal disease. It is intended to prevent dental disease. In
the event that a patient is diagnosed with periodontal disease, and that
disease has been controlled, supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) is
provided at regular intervals.
Performing daily oral hygiene at home is a must, but it is
not sufficient to control periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance (SPT)
is more complex than a normal cleaning (prophy). The procedure will include
removing bacterial plaque from above and below the gum line. It also may
include site specific therapy, prescription mouth rinses, air abrasion to
remove stain and fluoride application.
Supportive periodontal maintenance appointments are
usually alternated between your periodontist and your restorative dentist.
The frequency of these appointments can vary from every 2-3 months or even
more often depending on your specific needs.
It is essential that you do your best to remove bacterial
plaque that accumulates daily. This bacterial plaque will calcify into
calculus that must be removed by your dental professional. Brushing and
flossing are your best defense against daily plaque build-up. Dr. Kania will
evaluate your specific problem areas and recommend the best home care
program for your needs.
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Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors in
the development and progression of periodontal diseases. Tobacco’s negative
effects on periodontal health are well documented. Smoking impairs your
immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. Smoking will also
impair your ability to heal following periodontal therapy, reducing your
treatment outcome. If you suffer from a tobacco addiction, please speak with
Dr. Kania. We want to help overcome this addiction
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Diet plays a role in your overall health. Eating well can
help you reduce your risk for disease, including dental disease. It is
essential that you consume adequate protein, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D
and omega -3 fatty acids. Vitamin C is an important co-factor in collagen
strength. Collagens are fundamental to the supporting tissues (bone,
ligament and connective tissue) of the teeth. The American Dietetic
Association suggests oranges, melons and berries as excellent sources of
vitamin C.
Consuming enough calcium may reduce your risk for
developing periodontal disease. Calcium appears important in maintaining
bone density. Sources of calcium include: milk, yogurt, cheese, dark green
vegetables, rice and beans.
Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. Adequate
vitamin D can help slow bone absorption and lessen inflammation that is
related to periodontal disease. Some research suggests that regular exposure
to the sun will supply adequate vitamin D. Although, some researchers
propose that many Americans are not getting adequate vitamin D. Dietary
sources of vitamin D include milk, eggs, sardines and fish.
Omega -3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce
inflammation. This is important since periodontal diseases are most often
inflammatory. Food sources of omega – 3 fatty acids include fish, tofu,
canola, walnut and flax seed.
Processed foods and refined sugars can increase obesity
and decrease health. It has long been established that refined sugars are
especially associated with dental decay. Limit or avoid soft drinks, refined
sugar, refined flour and trans-fats. Inadequate nutrition will impair your
ability to fight off infection, such as periodontal disease.
In addition to the fact that good nutrition encourages
dental health, poor dental health impairs proper nutrition. People that
suffer from dental disease and tooth loss have a reduce ability to consume
healthy unprocessed foods. This results in poor nutrition and decreases
general health.
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Scaling and root planing is a meticulous non-surgical
cleaning of the root surfaces below the gum line to remove bacterial plaque,
toxins and calculus. This procedure is more complex than a dental cleaning
(prophylaxis). Local anesthetic is administered prior to treatment. A
re-evaluation of the results are determined 4-6 weeks after therapy. It is
imperative that the re-evaluation be scheduled at the appropriate time.
Supportive periodontal therapy is usually instituted after this non-surgical
therapy if a satisfactory endpoint is achieved.
Advanced Periodontal Treatment
Advanced periodontal treatment includes resective and
regenerative therapies. Crown lengthening is a resective procedure that may
be required for function and / or cosmetic reasons. Cosmetic crown
lengthening is provided when a patient presents with a “gummy” smile.
Basically, their teeth appear too short. Soft tissue (gum) and sometimes
bone are removed to result in more natural tooth proportions. Functional
crown lengthening is required when a defect exists below the gum and / or
bone. The defect is often a fracture or decay that make it impossible for
the tooth to be restored. In this case the tissue (soft and hard) is removed
to provide adequate biologic width for the tooth’s attachment apparatus.
Conventional advanced periodontal treatment is usually
considered resective or regenerative. Resective therapy may be indicated to
access pathologic periodontal pockets. In this case gum tissue is reflected
to access bacterial calculus and aid in its removal. Regenerative therapy is
also used to correct defects that have resulted from periodontal attachment
loss. After reflection of the gum tissue, bone grafts, membranes and
biologic materials (growth factors) may used to encourage your body to
regenerate lost tissues. Dr. Kania will determine if resective, regenerative
or laser treatment is best for control of your disease.
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Teeth should be supported by bone, ligament and connective
tissue. The tissue that surrounds the tooth should be keratinized like skin.
This keratinization is more resistant to trauma and holds up better than
non-keratinized tissue. The floor of the mouth, buccal and labial tissues
(inside of the cheeks and lips), and the soft palate are normally lined with
non-keratinized mucosa. It is less than ideal when non-keratinized tissue
surrounds the tooth. Recession occurs when tissue is lost around the tooth
and the root becomes exposed. The etiology of recession can be related to
anatomy (genetics), trauma (oral hygiene and habits), bacterial insult,
tooth movement and foreign material (restorations). Any of these factors or
a combination of them can result in recession. Recession defects reflect a
loss of bone. This bone loss can result in tooth loss. Correction of these
defects can support the tooth and make for more efficient oral hygiene
practices as well as the prevention of root caries. These benefits can
prevent tooth loss. Dr. Kania can correct these mucogingival defects with
gum grafts.
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It is of paramount importance that our patients are
comfortable in our office. Many of our patients have anxiety about dental
care. Often when a patient comes in for a treatment visit, we use some form
of sedation to relax them during their stay. The level of sedation ranges
from very light to deep, depending on what the individual needs. You can
rest assured that you will be comfortable while in our care.
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