November 10, 2011
Do we only see patients with gum disease? Patients often ask if all we see are people with gum disease and the easy answer is no. For the last 24 years we have been actively involved in the placement of implants and cosmetic periodontal procedures. Dr. Charles has lectured at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology on microsurgery for cosmetic treatment and use of computer technology for accurate implant placement. Although we love to help people improve their oral health there are many other services that we provide for our patients or their friends. If you have any questions or if we can be of help, please feel free to contact us at info@periopasadena.com
October 28, 2011
Dr. Charles recently lectured for Nobel Biocare, one of the largest dental implant companies in the world. His presentation was on advanced surgical techniques for computer guided dental implant surgery. Computer planned and guided dental implant surgery is the most accurate way to place dental implants. Initially marketed as an easy way for inexperienced practioners to become involved with dental implant surgery, there are nuances and procedures to be followed for the technology to be as beneficial as possible. If you have questions regarding computer planned surgery, or would like more information, please contact us at info@periopasadena.com.
October 21, 2011
Recently, two patients of mine (husband and wife) referred their son to me for a second opinion. He was a twenty-year-old young man who at his most recent visit to his regular dentist was told that he needed deep cleaning due to gingivitis or gum problems. Actually his major concern was an area of gum recession that had been bothersome for the last couple of months. The hygienist in his regular dental office had suggested the deep cleaning, not noticing the recession at all. His examination in our office indicated he did have a need to treat the recession area, but some coaching with regard to oral hygiene and a routine cleaning would be sufficient to clear up his “gingivitis” issues.
His parents, having been treated in a periodontal office, understood that deep cleaning is a common procedure performed in a periodontal office. Just as orthopedists treat bone and joint problems, periodontists only treat gum problems and thus his parents felt that a second opinion in a periodontal practice would be a prudent course for consideration in the treatment of their son.
We have oftentimes seen patients for a second opinion who have ended up having less treatment with reduced costs than had previously been prescribed. Having provided periodontal care for over thirty-five years and having literally thousands of patients whom we helped maintain in periodontal health, we try to take a conservative approach to treatment. Having seen successful conservative therapy for this long period of time, makes us less prone to jumping into the latest fad that may or may not have had substantiated and proven results.
We encourage patients to have second opinions. Oftentimes when periodontal recommendations are made, a second opinion by a specialist may be a reasonable consideration.
October 7, 2011
EVENT!
Dr. Charles and Dr. Crivello will be lecturing to the San Gabriel Valley Dental Assistants Society on Saturday, October 8 at 1pm for Education Day. The event will be taking place at Mijares Mexican Restaurant found at 145 Palmetto Drive in Pasadena. The topics of discussion will be "Pre-Implant Therapy" and "Computer-Guided Implant Therapy".
September 22, 2011
One of the easist ways to improve the health of your gum tissue (and your mouth) for most people has to do with an easy change in our brushing habits. Most of the inflammation that we see is usually on the inside portion of the mouth, right at the gum line, where the tooth and the gum meet. Most people, when they start brushing, start on the outside portions of their teeth. Since most of us get a little lazy and bored the longer we brush, by the time we get to the inside, we don't spend as much time as we do on the outside. Easy, start on the inside. You'll pay a little more attention to the inside and my guess is that you won't skip the outside. Remember, even though the inside parts of our teeth don't show, from a health standpoint, they are every bit as important as the outside. Hoping this helps keep your mouth healthier.
September 15, 2011
A recent email and publication of the American Dental Association points out the problem with dry mouth. There are over 500 medications that can cause dry mouth, along with the natural decline in saliva as we get older. In moderate to severe cases of dry mouth, patients become more susceptible to dental caries and periodontal problems. Often times problems can be lessened through good hygiene and/or medications which may help with the dry mouth symptoms.
September 2, 2011
Welcome to our blog. We will, from time to time, put personal observations of the doctors and our practice. We will also place articles about periodontal and dental health. Our goal is to keep our patients as well informed as possible about how to maintain their periodontal health and keep healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. If you have questions that you would like specifically addressed, please feel free to email us at info@periopasadena.com.
The Doctors of Pasadena Periodontal Associates