You need to see a Periodontist Now What??

Your family dentist is recommending that you visit my office, or you have chosen to see me on your own so that the extent of your periodontitis or gum disease may be evaluated. I am a specialist in this area of dentistry and I am known as a periodontist.

Commonly known as Pyorrhea, periodontal disease is a progressive ailment suffered, to some extent, by nearly 90% of adults over age 35. It is the primary reason for loss of teeth by people over 30.

Periodontal disease begins when bacteria invade the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Once this bacterial invasion takes hold, the gums become puffy, bleed easily, and gradually lose their "grip" on the teeth they are supposed to protect.

Pockets for where the gum loses its grip. These pockets allow more bacteria to lodge under the gum line below the reach of a toothbrush. Some of the bacteria produce toxins that attack the bone which supports the teeth. Without treatment, teeth become loose and may need to be removed.

Because this destruction usually occurs beneath the gum line, the gum tissue may appear normal. This explains why many people discover too late that they have the disease. Only a thorough periodontal examination can reveal if hidden disease is present.


Dental Implant New York, Babylon Periodontal Services, Babylon Tooth Cleaning, Periodontist Long Island, Scharf DMD



Periodontal Disease Progression


What Can Be Done?

Appropriate treatment along with follow-up care by you and your family dentist can help to prevent recurrence of the disease.

Treatment usually begins with a thorough cleaning of the tooth roots and any gum pockets. The plaque and calculus are removed and tooth roots smoothed to eliminate any crevices that can harbor plaque.

This is followed by a daily home care program including careful brushing and flossing to remove plaque from under the gum margins.Dental Implant New York, Babylon Periodontal Services, Babylon Tooth Cleaning, Periodontist Long Island, Scharf DMD

Sometimes, the biting surfaces of the teeth may be adjusted to evenly distribute the chewing pressures throughout the mouth.

Other forms of treatment are necessary to help the gums reattach to the teeth for those patients who postpone periodontal care until the disease has progressed to an advanced state.

What happens on my First Visit?

Since your resistance to disease is affected by many factors, we begin with a medical history and dental history. This is followed by a thorough periodontal examination of your mouth.

At your second appointment, the findings and a recommended treatment plan will be reviewed with you. You may find it helpful to bring your spouse or a friend with you to this appointment. Many patients find such a person's opinion very valuable. In most cases no treatment is performed at this appointment.

Can I Delay Treatment to a More Convenient Time?

Delaying diagnosis and treatment means delaying the benefits that treatment provides. Immediate diagnosis and treatment prevents further destruction to the gum and bone tissue. Your ability to enjoy a wide variety of foods and to taste your food properly will be protected. Also, you can avoid suffering unnecessary pain caused by the disease.

With treatment, a patient can eliminate the unpleasant taste in the mouth often associated with the disease as well as the embarrassment of offensive breath. Your appearance will be protected through early treatment as successive loss of teeth often encourages lines, wrinkles and a "sunken" look due to the loss of tone in the facial muscles.

A patient's self-confidence and self-image is often renewed through an improved appearance. Early treatment is also less expensive.

Periodontal disease can be stopped. Your mouth can be restored to health. And, with help from your family dentist, the disease need not return.

Is it worth it to keep up with maintenance visits after Periodontal therapy?

You bet it is. Periodontal treatment is divided into two phases. The first phase or the active phase is designed to get your mouth healthy. The second phase or the maintenance phase is designed to keep your mouth healthy. Gum disease is s chronic disease. You can never be immune to it. But you can minimize the chances of it coming back. Studies have shown that periodontal treatment with maintenance is very effective at preserving ones teeth and dramatically reducing the incidence of tooth decay and gum disease recurrence. Studies have also shown that periodontal treatment without maintenance is of little value in the long run in preserving periodontal health.

To learn more visit us on the web at these sites

Dr. Scharfs overall web site. Learn all about perio.dental implants and lasers. Also be sure to read the patient letters section drscharf.com

To learn about dental implants on Long Island and Suffolk County visit drscharf.com , dentalimplantssuffolkcounty.com or dentalimplantsonlongisland.com

For GREAT information on treating gum disease with a laser visit
LILaserPerio.com or laserperio.blogspot.com

Best of all is a personal appointment with Dr. Scharf call 631-661-6633 to schedule yours today.