Healthy, beautiful smiles are built on a foundation of healthy gums, and at Smile Again Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we’ll help you achieve and maintain excellent periodontal health.
If your dentist refers you to a periodontist, it’s because they’re concerned about your gum health and believe you can benefit from the expertise of a specialist. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about what will happen, but rest assured that we will provide gentle, compassionate care and the expert treatment needed to restore your gum health.
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that gradually breaks down a tooth’s supporting structures, including bone, periodontal ligaments, cementum, and gums (gingiva). While there are risk factors, gum disease commonly develops due to poor oral hygiene and excessive plaque and tartar buildup around the gumline.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, which is typically reversible with a thorough professional teeth cleaning.
Periodontitis is advanced gum disease, the 6th most common disease worldwide. Treating periodontitis promptly helps prevent the bone loss that leads to loose teeth and possible tooth loss.
Before Dr. Hsu recommends treatment, he will perform a periodontal evaluation to assess your gum health. In addition, we will ask for your medical records to determine if you have diabetes or heart disease that may affect your periodontal care.
A periodontal evaluation is straightforward and nothing to be afraid of! Dr. Hsu will check for gum recession and how your teeth fit together when you bite down. To gauge the extent of the infection, he measures the space between your teeth and gums called periodontal pockets. Digital dental x-rays allow him to check your bone health below the gum line.
After he makes a periodontal diagnosis, Dr. Hsu carefully reviews his findings with you, answers your questions, and presents treatment options that will restore your gum health.
Also referred to as scaling and root planing, this non-surgical cleaning involves eliminating harmful bacteria from above and below the gumline. Dr. Hsu may also prescribe antibiotics as a follow-up to treatment and determine what ongoing maintenance is needed to maintain gum health.
The LANAP protocol uses the PerioLase MVP-7 dental laser to regenerate the tissues and bone lost to gum disease. This Nd:YAG laser selectively targets and eliminates the bacteria causing bone loss without damaging good tissues. The best part of LANAP treatment is that it is minimally invasive, without the need for cutting or sutures.
As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets around your teeth become deeper and collect even more bacteria. With pocket reduction surgery, Dr. Hsu halts the progression of periodontal disease and helps you maintain healthy gums. Read more about this procedure and its benefits here.
Dr. Jeffrey Hsu received his D.D.S. degree from the USC School of Dentistry and followed that with a general practice residency at the UCLA School of Dentistry. After practicing general dentistry for a year, he decided to pursue his certificate in Periodontics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was also afforded the opportunity to treat patients at the local Veterans Administration.
If gingivitis advances to periodontitis, Dr. Hsu provides the treatment you need to restore your healthy smile and offers many benefits:
It isn’t necessary to have a referral to schedule an appointment with our periodontist in Temple City, CA. If you are concerned about your gum health, please call us to schedule an appointment, and Dr. Hsu will be happy to evaluate your needs and report his findings to your general dentist.
Smile Again Periodontics and Implant Dentistry is now accepting new patients. We specialize in dental implant and laser periodontics. Visit us and discover compassionate care along with your best smile.
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