Prevention is key to all aspects of your health and your smile is no exception. By entrusting your dental care to a skilled periodontal specialist like Dr. Steven Wilson, you can maintain a life of optimal oral health by stopping serious dental problems before they start.
PERIOTHERAPY
If you are among the 50% of Americans currently suffering with some form of periodontal disease, you are in good hands with Dr. Wilson ― a periodontist with advanced training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing this disease. Depending upon your unique needs, Dr. Wilson will partner with you to customize a treatment plan utilizing non-surgical, surgical, and/or regenerative techniques. With a comprehensive approach, he will treat the underlying causes of your disease in the most non-invasive and cost-effective way possible.
Another important aspect of your periodontal care occurs after your initial treatment. In order to ensure the lasting health of your teeth and gums, ongoing periodontal maintenance at regular intervals may be necessary to maintain your smile.
TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
It is every dentist’s intention to preserve the existing structures in your mouth to the best of his ability. However, there are cases where the best course of action for your smile involves extracting a troublesome tooth with as little trauma to your remaining tissue as possible. Dr. Wilson takes great care in making this a quick and painless process for you, with a wide range of anesthesia and sedation options available to make you comfortable. After performing the extraction, Dr. Wilson will discuss your options for further treatment.
ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
Oral cancer affects tens of thousands of Americans every year, and one case in four is fatal. As with most cancers, the key to beating the disease is catching it before it progresses to a later stage. With early detection from a routine oral cancer screening, there is a 90% success rate after diagnosis. A trusted dentist like Dr. Wilson is truly your only line of defense against oral cancer. He and his team of dental professionals are the only ones to regularly evaluate your oral health and to notice any potential abnormalities. Gain the peace of mind that comes with a regular oral cancer screening from Dr. Wilson. With the help of the latest dental technology, even a diagnosis of oral cancer can be successfully treated through early detection.
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF GUM DISEASE
Understanding your periodontal health starts with identifying the important structures of your smile and knowing the important roles they play. The gums, ligaments, and bones around your teeth make up the periodontium, which can best be explained as your smile’s foundation. Just like the foundation of your house, the periodontium must be in good working order, or the stability of the whole structure could be compromised.
After making you comfortable with a local anesthetic, one of Dr. Wilson’s trusted dental hygienists will perform a scaling and root planing procedure by thoroughly cleaning the area below your gum line so that it is free of bacteria and deposits. This is achieved by gently pulling the soft tissue of the gums away from your teeth, extensively cleaning the “pockets” between your gums and roots, and if necessary, treating the area with a local antibiotic, such as ARESTIN®. Once you are free of these harmful bacterial deposits, your teeth, gums, and bones can heal, and the pockets will naturally close, free of infection.
Without knowing it, you may be among the 50% of Americans currently suffering from some form of periodontal disease. Often symptoms are not obvious to the uninformed eye, and pain in the teeth or gums is not typically a symptom of the disease until it has progressed to a later stage. A healthy periodontium is a foundation for your lasting, healthy smile! Watch carefully for these important warning symptoms and signs in order to maintain your periodontal health:
- Bleeding, inflamed, or receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Pus around teeth
- A change in your bite structure
If your periodontium is healthy, you shouldn’t see any of these signs. Contact Dr. Wilson and his team as soon as possible in the event that these symptoms are present in your smile.
BONE GRAFTING FOR IMPLANTS AND NATURAL TEETH
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, your oral health can suffer in many ways beyond mere aesthetics. Gaps in your smile are also gaps in your bite. When the bone structure in your mouth is no longer stimulated in the same way because of missing teeth, ill-fitting dentures, trauma, or periodontal disease, the result is the loss of bone density. In just six months after a tooth is lost or extracted, most of the supporting bone is reabsorbed, leading to changes in form and function. In addition, insufficient bone density in your supporting structures will not allow for the installation of dental implants, as a minimum amount of bone must be present for prostheses to be supported.
Dr. Wilson has a potential solution to this problem in the form of bone grafting ― the replacement or augmentation of the bone around the teeth. A bone grafting procedure can correct this problem, readying your smile for corrective prostheses, such as dental implants, or can provide a better support structure for traditional dentures, bridges, or crowns. Talk to Dr. Wilson about whether or not bone grafting can help restore your smile.
RIDGE PRESERVATION
You can reduce the need for more extensive bone grafting procedures by preventing bone loss before it ever happens. Very quickly after a tooth extraction, the bone in the alveolar ridge (which supports the roots of your teeth) deteriorates due to a lack of bite stimulation. To help prevent this reabsorption of bone, Dr. Wilson can immediately follow a tooth extraction with a ridge preservation procedure to keep this important bone structure intact. By inserting bone-grafting material into the socket after the extraction procedure, the integrity of your supporting structures can be preserved, preventing changes in your appearance and leaving an optimal foundation for future dental prostheses like dental bridges, dentures, or implants.
If you need a tooth extraction, ridge preservation can protect your future oral health by preventing hazardous changes in your smile before they ever occur. Patients who have preserved their structure in this way end up with more successful and more aesthetically pleasing restorations.
BIOPSY
As part of your comprehensive dental evaluation, Dr. Wilson and his team will be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of deterioration and disease, including periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other soft tissue abnormalities that present in the form of lesions in and around your mouth. In the event that you do have certain symptoms, such as pain or difficulty while speaking, chewing, or swallowing; soreness or hoarseness in your throat; and/or, red or white patches, cysts, sores, or lumps in your mouth or on your neck, Dr. Wilson may suggest conducting a biopsy.
A biopsy refers to any process whereby a small sample of tissue from your body is carefully removed and examined under a microscope. A dental biopsy by Dr. Wilson follows the same diagnostic procedure. After ensuring that you are comfortable through local or general anesthesia or sedation, Dr. Wilson will gently remove a tissue sample for analysis. In the case of oral cancer and other serious medical problems, early detection is the key to successful treatment. If you are experiencing any abnormal symptoms, such as those described above, contact Dr. Wilson or his team immediately.
ARESTIN® LOCALIZED ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT
An essential part of your treatment and future prevention of periodontal disease is the use of a local antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing the inflammation of your soft tissue around the roots of your teeth. When undergoing a non-surgical gum disease treatment, such as scaling and root planing, the final step of the process is the administering of these antibiotics directly into the pockets between your roots and the affected gum tissue. Dr. Wilson and his team trust ARESTIN® for the purpose of killing this harmful bacteria. ARESTIN’s microsphere technology releases the powerful antibiotic, minocycline hydrochloride, over time, helping to heal your soft tissue affected by periodontal disease and ensuring a successful recovery.
Implant Services
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?
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IMPLANTS - PLACEMENT
For a lasting restoration that best replicates a mouth full of natural, healthy teeth, consider dental implants. When compared to bridges or dentures, implants more closely mimic the form and function of your bite, stimulating the structure of your jaw and promoting healthy bone retention. If you are looking for a permanent solution to the problems you may have due to ill-fitting dentures or because of multiple missing teeth, Dr. Wilson can change your life with dental implants.
After a complete evaluation of your mouth and jaw to ensure you have healthy gums and adequate bone structure, Dr. Wilson will work with you to customize a treatment plan that meets your specific needs. After your dental implants are placed, they will fuse to your existing bone structure, creating a strong foundation for dental prostheses. The result is a lasting restoration that looks and feels natural.
If you are suffering with uncomfortable or ill-fitting dentures, missing teeth, or difficulty speaking or chewing, talk to Dr. Wilson about dental implants. Your brand new smile is waiting!
IMPLANT - SUPPORTED DENTURES
With a set of dentures supported by a strong foundation of dental implants, you can say goodbye to the myriad symptoms associated with traditional dentures, including mouth sores, loose dentures, and difficulty speaking or chewing. Because implants fuse to your existing bone structure, your implant-supported dentures will better replicate the look, feel, and function of a mouth full of natural teeth. And, because implant-supported dentures do an excellent job of naturally distributing your bite pressure, the structures in your jaw will be stimulated, promoting bone retention. Ask Dr. Wilson today if implant-supported dentures are right for you.
REGENERATIVE PROCEDURES FOR BONE AND SOFT TISSUE
If you suffer from periodontal disease, the soft tissue and bone that wraps around the roots of your teeth may deteriorate, forming pockets around your teeth that are ripe for bacterial infection and for deposits of plaque. When in optimum oral health, your teeth should be tightly encased in these supportive structures, which prevent the damaging bacteria from having a place to thrive.
If Cone Beam 3D imaging or a routine evaluation reveals these symptoms, Dr. Wilson can perform a regenerative procedure by inserting material to help restore both soft tissue that may have receded, as well as bone tissue that may have deteriorated. Reestablishing these important structures will seal off the roots of your teeth, preventing pockets from forming and protecting your smile from problems down the road.
COMPUTER-GUIDED IMPLANT SURGERY
Enjoy faster treatment and increased knowledge of your care with technological advances, such as computer-guided implant surgery. Thanks to innovations like Cone Beam 3D imaging, Dr. Wilson can take advantage of a more complete picture of your bite in order to design and implement your dental implants and prostheses before your surgical procedure.
Cosmetic Services
You deserve a smile that looks as great as it feels and functions. Through a comprehensive array of cosmetic services, Dr. Wilson and his team can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, boosting your confidence, as well as your oral health. Talk to Dr. Wilson today about creating a custom treatment plan, especially for you, while meeting your specific smile goals.
GUM CONTOURING
Do you dislike your smile because it’s too “gummy”? This common complaint could be the result of swelling due to periodontal disease or to other problems, or it may simply be the way your smile formed naturally. Just as you can effectively choose your eye color with contact lenses or dye your hair to whatever shade suits your fancy, you can also have the smile you want thanks to a gum contouring procedure from Dr. Wilson. The dentist will sculpt your gum tissue to create the beautiful smile you have always desired with limited recovery time. To learn more, ask Dr. Wilson or a member of his team about a cosmetic gum contouring procedure.
GUM SURGERY/GRAFTING
Do you suffer from receding gums around your teeth or implants? Do your teeth seem too long as a result? In addition to making a smile less appealing, exposed roots can be very sensitive to brushing and to heat or cold, and gum recession is often a sign of periodontal disease. Healthy smiles should have a snug, protective layer of soft tissue around the roots of teeth to help prevent damaging bacteria from attacking the root structure.
For both aesthetic and preventative reasons, Dr. Wilson can help diagnose the reason for the problem and can perform soft tissue grafting to cover your roots or to develop new gum tissue. Don’t settle for less than your perfect smile. Gum surgery from Dr. Wilson can improve your appearance while serving an important preventative purpose.
BONE GRAFTING
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, your oral health can suffer in many ways beyond mere aesthetics. Gaps in your smile are also gaps in your bite. When the bone structure in your mouth is no longer stimulated in the same way because of either missing teeth, ill-fitting dentures, trauma, or periodontal disease, the result is the loss of bone density. In just six months after a tooth is lost or extracted, most of the supporting bone is reabsorbed, leading to changes in form and function and, in some cases, changes in your facial appearance.
Dr. Wilson has a potential solution to this problem in the form of bone grafting ― the replacement or augmentation of the bone around the teeth. A bone grafting procedure can correct this problem, readying your smile for corrective prostheses and improving your appearance. Talk to Dr. Wilson about whether or not bone grafting can help restore your smile and your self-esteem.
ALLODERM®
Dr. Wilson trusts AlloDerm® Regenerative Tissue Matrix for a variety of grafting procedures to improve your smile. For over 20 years, this acellular dermal matrix has been used as part of lasting restorations, such as gum grafting, regenerative procedures, and soft ridge preservation. AlloDerm works by combining with your natural soft tissues.
CROWN LENGTHENING FOR GUMMY SMILES
Sometimes, an abundance of soft tissue can encroach on your teeth, making them seem too small and giving you a “gummy” smile. For an aesthetically-pleasing solution, Dr. Wilson can perform a crown lengthening procedure. By reshaping your soft tissue, the dentist can improve the symmetry of your bite, revealing more of your tooth structure and helping you have the smile you’ve always wanted. In addition, reducing the gum issue can be essential for the placement of a crown or for other prostheses. For a minimally-invasive crown lengthening procedure to improve your smile, call Dr. Wilson today.
PERIODONTAL PLASTIC SURGERY
No matter what your age, you want to look good and feel good, and your smile is the first thing people notice when they meet you. Cosmetic surgery of all kinds is more popular than ever, and periodontal plastic surgery is no exception. You can have the smile you’ve always wanted and can make it last a lifetime with cosmetic surgery from Dr. Wilson, including:
- Fixing a “gummy smile” with a reshaping treatment
- Protecting exposed roots that aren’t aesthetically pleasing and that cause sensitivity when you eat or drink
- Correcting indentations in gums.
Why live with less than your perfect smile? You deserve to love the way you look. Talk to Dr. Wilson today about how periodontal plastic surgery can improve your smile.
Dental Technology
You want the best care for your smile, and that means the latest and greatest technological tools and techniques. Dr. Wilson is committed to providing the most advanced technology to serve you. Enjoy the comfort and convenience you deserve.
DIGITAL X-RAYS (RADIOGRAPHS)
Take advantage of quicker, safer treatment with digital X-rays. You will enjoy less radiation, and Dr. Wilson will have an instantaneous picture for faster, more efficient diagnoses.
CONE BEAM 3D IMAGING
Your smile is a complex part of your anatomy. In order to know precisely what’s going on in your bones, tendons, soft tissue, and teeth, Dr. Wilson utilizes Cone Beam 3D imaging to provide the most accurate, detailed picture of your oral health. Unlike traditional, two-dimensional X-rays, Cone Beam 3D imaging can be manipulated to show a wide variety of angles and details. This ability is especially valuable when planning complex procedures and surgeries.
INTRAORAL CAMERA
See what Dr. Wilson sees! The intraoral camera allows you to see a real-time, detailed picture of your teeth and gums as your dentist does. Following along on a screen or tablet, you can better understand Dr. Wilson’s explanations and suggestions for treatment, which allows you to make more educated decisions.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
The advantages of digital photography are clear…the convenience of instantaneous pictures for the dentist that don’t need to be sent offsite for development. This is just one of the ways Dr. Wilson and his team can help you enjoy quicker, more efficient care through optimal technology.
SEDATION DENTISTRY
Have you let nerves or anxiousness prevent you from seeking the care you need for your smile? Thanks to sedation dentistry techniques, Dr. Wilson and his team can provide a relaxed, pain-free experience while you undergo treatment. Your smile is a vital aspect of your overall health. Don’t let your worries get in the way of your treatment. Dr. Wilson and his team will listen to your concerns and will find a solution to make you worry free.
