Procedures

Dental Exams

Each patient is given a thorough initial exam to evaluate problem areas and determine proper course of treatment. This exam includes an overall oral cancer screening, examination of tooth decay and existing restorations, and examination of gums for signs of periodontal disease.

 

X-rays

Dr. Sims is one of the few elite dental professionals to utilize an in-office iCAT machine to record dental radiographs. The iCAT provides high-resolution 3D images of a patient’s jaw. Additionally, the low-radiation iCAT machine allows patients to remain in a sitting position while images are recorded, thus ensuring patient safety and comfort at all times.

 

IV Sedation

Dr. Sims utilizes IV sedation as part of the treatment protocol for those patients undergoing surgical procedures. Also referred to as "deep conscious sedation," IV sedation allows medications to be administered directly into the blood stream, giving instantaneous sedative effects. With this technique patients maintain a level of consciousness which allows them to breathe independently and respond to verbal instruction. This safe, predictable form of sedation increases patient comfort during the procedure while minimizing patient anxiety. Dr. Sims has undergone specialized advanced training and is certified to administer IV sedation.

 

Periodontal disease causes destruction of bone and gum tissue around teeth which results in the formation of pockets. Periodontal therapy typically involves several phases of treatment. Initial therapy is directed at patient education and disease elimination. Phase two therapy involves surgical intervention to further correct and improve the long term prognosis of the diseased area. Two distinctly different forms of surgical therapy include osseous surgical therapy or regenerative surgical therapy. Osseous surgery involves folding back of the gum tissue so that the periodontist may modify and reshape deformities in the bone surrounding teeth and remove disease-causing bacteria that live beneath the gums. Once the flap of gum tissue is placed back over the bone, sutures are placed to facilitate the adherence of the gums to the healthy bone. Regenerative surgical therapy is utilized to regenerate lost bone and periodontal ligament to improve long term prognosis.

Once periodontal treatment is completed, maintenance visits, along with good home care, will allow a patient to keep his or her teeth and gums healthy and prevent further periodontal problems. Periodontal maintenance visits include thorough cleaning to remove any accumulated bacteria, encouragement in home care, and yearly measuring of pocket depths. This type of procedure takes very little time to complete, and discomfort following the procedure is rare.

 

Dental implants are an esthetically-pleasing, comfortable solution to missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed in the jaw that holds a replacement tooth or bridge in place. In addition to looking and feeling like natural teeth, implants are also a tooth-saving alternative to bridges because they do not rely on adjacent teeth for support. Implants are a less messy, less troublesome alternative to dentures as well because they are permanent fixtures in the mouth. Dr. Sims and his staff work with each patient’s general dentist to carefully evaluate the condition of each patient so that a customized treatment plan may be created to meet that patient’s needs. Implant options vary from patient to patient but include full arch replacement, multiple teeth replacement, and single tooth replacement.

 

Gum recession is a common problem associated with periodontal disease, although it may also be the result of aggressive tooth brushing during home care. Recession often results in exposed root surfaces which can lead to painful sensitivity in the exposed area and possible loss of teeth or esthetic concerns such as teeth appearing too long and uneven gum lines. Connective tissue may be taken from the maxillary tuberosity or hard palate (roof of the mouth) and placed over the area of recession to provide adequate root coverage and improve health and esthetics. Alloderm is an acellular dermal graft obtained from cadavers which can also be utilized in areas of extensive recession.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a procedure that utilizes a barrier membrane and bone growth modulators to facilitate re-growth of bone and tissue around an area that has experienced bone loss. In the case of missing teeth, GTR may also be used to build up necessary bone for placement of implants.

 

For those who feel as though their teeth are too short or their smile too "gummy," cosmetic crown lengthening is a viable solution for improving esthetics. During the procedure gum and bone tissue are reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth structure, thereby visually increasing the length of teeth and decreasing the amount of gum exposure.

 

The frenum is a fold of tissue that connects the lips to the jawbone. The frenum may cause periodontal problems by pulling the gums away from the teeth and causing recession. During a frenectomy, the frenum is clipped to prevent recession from occurring.

 

Resorption of the jawbone may occur in areas where teeth have been missing for a significant period of time. The resulting indention is unnatural in appearance and may cause esthetic concerns. Ridge augmentation is an effective way to fill in this defect and restore the natural contour of the gums and jaw.

 

A sinus lift is a common procedure recommended for those who have experienced significant bone loss in the upper jaw (maxilla). This bone grafting procedure aims to regenerate bone in the floor of the maxillary sinus which lies just above the bony ridge that holds one’s upper teeth in place. This surgery may be necessary for those who wish to have implants placed in the upper jaw but do not have enough bone to support those implants. Often, implants are placed at the same time the bone graft is performed.