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Month: October 2021

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gum biopsy

Keeping your gums healthy is important, and issues such as gum disease or oral cancer can affect not only your dental health, but your overall health if left untreated. Attending your regular appointments in our office can help to get in front of any gum issues before they become serious. Our staff will clean and polish your teeth, and we will also evaluate your gum health, and perform an oral cancer screening.

If during your appointment our team notices a lesion or area of concern, we may recommend a gum biopsy. A gum biopsy is when we test an infected area to identify what may have caused the abnormal tissue to develop. Gum biopsies are very important, and can help identify the issue or stage of cancer that requires treatment.

Symptoms of Gum Cancer

  • Bleeding gums
  • Thick or unusual looking gum tissue
  • Red, white, or dark patches on the gums
  • Gumline cracks

How Does a Gum Biopsy Work?

During a gum biopsy we remove a sample piece of tissue from you gums or jaw to determine the cause of the abnormality. Local anesthesia is used, and the procedure itself is minimally invasive. If the area is hard to reach, we may recommend general anesthesia, but this is rarely needed. A pathologist can take a look at the tissue sample, determine the cause, and check if the tissue is cancerous.

What Can I Expect After My Gum Biopsy?

After the biopsy is complete your gums may still feel numb from the anesthesia. This should wear off after a few hours. Patients may feel tender or sore near the area where the biopsy took place. This should subside after a few days. If you notice prolonged pain or swelling, we recommend contacting our office right away, so we can take a look at the area. Risk for infection is rare, and patients can return to normal activity after a day or two.

Gum biopsies can save lives, and help us treat the issue promptly before it becomes worse. Patients can reach out to their insurance provider to review their benefits, and check to see what coverage is available should you need a gum biopsy.

Ready To Find Out More?

If you have an area of concern, or are due for your regular dental exam and cleaning, contact Epic Periodontics. Our doctors have years of experience in periodontics and treating gum disease, and love to help our patients. We always put your oral health first, and our passion is to help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Never hesitate to contact our office if you feel you have an issue or are in pain. Gum issues that are not treated can progress, and complications can occur if they are not treated promptly.

To schedule your appointment, contact Epic Periodontics, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

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a sinus lift

A sinus lift is also known as a sinus augmentation, and is a procedure that is done to help with the placement of dental implants. One of the key things we look at when patients choose dental implants is the bone in the jaw. Dental implants require enough bone in the jaw to create a sturdy base for the implants. If a patient has suffered bone loss, they may require a sinus lift to provide the support needed.

A sinus lift procedure helps to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, and is common procedure. More and more patients require a sinus lift due to the increase in popularity of dental implants as a choice for restoration.

Why Is a Sinus Lift Necessary?

A sinus lift may be needed if you are missing teeth and do not have sufficient bone near the back of your jaw. The cause of tooth loss can be from genetics, from periodontal disease, or other medical conditions. If a patient has a sinus cavity that is too close to your upper jaw, a sinus lift can also help to create space for dental implants.

What Can I Expect During My Sinus Lift Procedure?

If you chose to move forward with the sinus lift procedure the first step is to determine where the bone used in the procedure will come from. Bone can be used from other areas of your mouth or body, from a cadaver, animal, or a synthetic bone material can be used. Once the bone source is decided, the next step is to take measurements of your jaw and sinus cavity and prepare for the procedure.

A sinus lift procedure takes approximately 90 minutes, and we begin by sedating the patient using local or general anesthesia. The doctor will cut the gum tissue and expose the jaw bone.  A small hole will be cut into the jaw bone to allow the doctor to push on the membrane of the sinuses. As the bone is lifted, the doctor can fill the space with the bone grafting material. The area is then closed with sutures.

Once the patient is awake after the anesthesia, they may feel swelling and slight bleeding, but discomfort should be minimal. We recommend to avoid blowing your nose or sneezing because this can cause the bone graft material to move or loosen. Patients should keep their nasal passage moist, and we may recommend an antibiotic or mouthwash to help prevent any infection. Patients should plan to relax for a day or two, and avoid any strenuous activities.

After sinus lift surgery we do require patients to return to our office, so we can check and see how the healing process is progressing. Your stitches may be removed if they have not dissolved, and multiple return visits may be required. The entire healing process form a sinus lift can take about 6 months to ensure the bone heals, and can provide the proper support for dental implants.

Read To Find Out More?

If you are interested in finding out more about a sinus lift procedure, we encourage you to call our office. Our doctors have years of experience in sinus lifts, and provide the very best care for all of our patients. Our consultation process can give you all of the information you need regarding the procedure, and allows you to ask any questions about the process.

At Epic Periodontics, we use the latest technology and equipment, and provide a calm and welcoming environment for our patients. Let us help you take charge of your oral health, and schedule your appointment today.

To schedule your appointment, contact Epic Periodontics, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

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lose teeth in your 30s

Periodontitis is also known as gum disease, and is a gum infection that damages soft tissue. This disease can destroy the bone and eventually cause tooth loss if not treated promptly. Periodontitis slowly progresses, and can advance quickly before you may even notice you have an issue.

During this advancement process you typically don’t feel anything, and the process is painless. Attending your regular exams and cleanings in our office is extremely important to stay on top of your teeth and gum health. Our doctors can get in front of issues quickly before they become a problem.

Many feel because they are still in their 30’s that they do not have to worry about developing periodontitis. However, your 30’s is when you start to see damage that is caused by not taking care of your teeth and gums in your younger years. Gum disease is very common amongst people in their 30’s, and this age group is when it starts for those that have maybe neglected their teeth when they were younger, or are genetically susceptible to gum disease. If periodontitis is not addressed this can lead to losing your teeth prematurely.

What Can I Do To Prevent Periodontitis?

If you want to prevent issues with your gums or inflammation you should start by evaluating your oral hygiene routine at home. Make sure you are brushing and flossing daily to help minimize your risk for developing gum disease. At Epic Periodontics, your oral health is our priority, and when you visit our office, we perform a detailed evaluation of your gums and teeth to determine the condition of your gums. If we notice any issues, we will discuss them with you and may recommend changes to your oral care routine at home. Our staff can provide a personalized care program for you to follow, and this can help you stay on track with your oral hygiene at home.

Tips To Prevent Periodontitis

  • Attend regular cleanings and exams to remove plaque and tartar buildup, and to help detect signs of gum disease early.
  • Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help prevent cavities.
  • Brush for at least two to three minutes at least twice a day, and make sure to brush along the gum line.
  • Floss daily to remove the plaque in between your teeth.
  • Use a mouthwash to help rinse away plaque and bacteria, and keep your mouth feeling fresh.
  • Avoid tobacco products that can accelerate the deterioration process, and cause gum disease.
  • Exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet, avoiding foods with high levels of sugar.
  • Seek care right away to treat cavities or any other issues promptly.

Our job is to keep your teeth and mouth healthy, and we pride ourselves on quality dental care you can trust. Let our team at Epic Periodontics help you take charge of your oral health, and prevent serious issues such as periodontitis from developing.

Interested in Making an Appointment?

If you think you may have gum disease or would like to schedule your exam and cleaning, contact Epic Periodontics. Our doctors have years of experience in periodontics, and always provide the highest level of care to all of our patients. At Epic Periodontics, we use state of the art technology in a welcoming and calm environment where patients know they are in good hands.

To schedule your appointment with us, contact Epic Periodontics, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

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dental bone graft

Gum and bone grafts may sound intimidating, and you may be worried about the process. The good news is that both types of grafts are common and are both minimally invasive. Bone grafts help to replace missing bone in the jaw to ensure there is a sturdy base for dental implants. Gum grafts help to correct receding gums that have been damaged due to periodontal disease.

After a graft procedure patients may experience some pain and sensitivity. Most patients compare the pain to a tooth removal. Depending on the amount of bone and gum that is grafted will determine how mild or moderate the discomfort is after the procedure. During graft procedures our team uses local anesthesia to keep you pain free and comfortable. Once the graft is complete, patients will start to feel some sensitivity after the anesthesia wears off.

What Can I Do at Home After My Graft Procedure To Stay Comfortable?

Patients can take over the counter pain relief medication, and we may also recommend antibiotics depending on the severity of the graft procedure. Patients can apply ice to the area to alleviate any discomfort. After a graft procedure a cold liquid diet is typically recommended, and patients can also eat very soft foods such as scrambled eggs or pudding. Patients should avoid any hard or crunchy foods during the healing period.

When you sleep you should elevate your head and avoid sleeping on the side where the graft was performed. Refrain from any strenuous activity after grafting to ensure you do not disrupt the healing process. After a few days patients can begin to return to their normal routine, and start to introduce regular foods into their diet.

Are Grafts Worth the Trouble?

If you are wavering at the thought of needing graft surgery keep in mind the pain is very minimal and temporary and the benefits outweigh the recovery. Our doctors have years of experience in gum and bone grafting, and use the latest technology and equipment. The procedure is advanced and our team can treat gum recession, or bone issues quickly and with minimal discomfort. Our goal is to improve the condition of your mouth, and help prevent further deterioration in the future. We encourage patients considering graft surgery to schedule a consultation with our doctor to discuss the procedure, and any concerns you may have.

Your oral health is our priority, and we make sure our patients feel comfortable and at ease when they visit our office. At Epic Periodontics we provide quality dental care patients can trust. Let our team help you take control of your dental health, and restore your smile.

Interested in Scheduling an Appointment?

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to find out more about gum or bone grafting, contact Epic Periodontics. We always put our patients first, and treat everyone that visits our office like family. We welcome new patients to our practice, and look forward to becoming your preferred provider.

To schedule your appointment contact Epic Periodontics, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.