Tag: periodontal

Jul 06, 2017

Family Dental Care™ Offers Minimally-invasive Laser Treatment For Gum Disease

Chicago, IL – August 31, 2015 – The condition you may refer to as “gum disease” is also called periodontal disease. The American Dental Association defines periodontal disease as the inflammation of the gums that if severe, can led to the loss of the tissue that hold your teeth in place. Periodontal disease if the number one cause of tooth loss. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, this condition affects eighty-five percent of American adults age 18 and older.

Family Dental Care™ is excited to announce the offering of a safe, effective and comfortable in office treatment for periodontal disease, LANAP or laser assisted new attachment procedure.

LANAP is an FDA-approved full mouth protocol used to treat periodontal disease. Under local anesthesia in the office, a tiny laser fiber is inserted between the tooth and gum to remove diseased tissue. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque. A fibrin clot is then created by the laser to seal the pocket. This allows for the regeneration of the tissues destroyed by periodontal disease.

Laser Treatment Near You

Before LANAP, patients with periodontal disease typically underwent scalpel and suture periodontal surgery, an invasive tissue-removing procedure, which causes sensitivity, root exposure, and an increase risk of root caries. In addition, recovery can take weeks.

LANAP does not cut or remove tissue. No sutures are placed. Therefore, the procedure is less painful, less invasive, and a much shorter recovery period. Most importantly, LANAP provides regeneration of lost tooth support which traditional gum surgery cannot.

“By reducing post-operative pain and recovery time, LANAP eliminates many of the reasons that so many patients hesitate to seek treatment for periodontal disease and helps me ensure that they get the best possible dental care,” said Dr. Alexander Alemis, D.D.S., FAGD.

There are many different types of lasers used in dentistry today, and NOT all lasers are created equal. LANAP is a strict protocol with very beneficial outcomes.

All dentists who perform LANAP are required to complete a comprehensive three-day, clinical, hands-on, dentist-to-dentist training at the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD). Additional training sessions at six and twelve months helps dentists hone and refine their techniques. Dr. Nicole Lambert, D.D.S., is a LANAP Gum Treatment Protocol Certified Dentist at the Family Dental Care™, 313 E. River Oaks Drive, Calumet City, IL 60409 – for more information and to schedule your next appointment, call (708) 862-2328.

Periodontal disease treatment is covered by most insurance carriers.

For more information visit: https://www.familydentalcare.com

Previous Blog Post

Family Dental Care’s Dr. Alexander Alemis Receives AGD Fellowship Award

(South Chicago, IL) The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) honored Alexander G. Alemis, DDS, FAGD with this prestigious honor during the AGD 2015 annual meeting in San Francisco, CA. The AGD Fellowship Award is presented to dentists who complete more than 500 hours of dental continuing education and pass a comprehensive written exam. Approximately only…

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PANORAMIC DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES SAFER AND QUICKER DENTAL EXAMS
Jul 06, 2017

PANORAMIC DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES SAFER AND QUICKER DENTAL EXAMS

3D dental technology, otherwise known as “cone beam,’ is available in the south suburbs! Family Dental Care™, located at 9101 S. Cicero Avenue is Oak Lawn has invested in this technology to enhance the quality of care provided for patients.

Technological advances, such as digital imaging systems, have significantly increased the level of detailed information available to dentists while reducing the level of patient radiation exposure. While oral health professionals have long relied on 2-D imaging for diagnosis and treatment planning, this technology typically requires multiple exposures, and with them, multiple doses of radiation.

With cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), oral health professionals gain a highly accurate 3-D image of the patient’s anatomy from a single scan. These 3-D images allow the dentist to better diagnose and understand the true extent of dental disease, and they can provide for more appropriate and faster treatment for patients.

Digital imaging has become one of the most important diagnostic tools for oral health professionals, and the greatest advance in the past decade has come with CBCT. It uses a cone-shaped beam and digital processing to reconstruct a virtually distortion-free 3-D image of the patient’s complete skull or dental anatomy in a single pass, depending on the field of view.

Here are reasons why patient should be aware of this new technology.

Safer Examinations

The CS 8100 3D uses dental 3D technology to limit radiation dose and ensure safer exams.

  • Confine radiation to area of interest with flexible fields of view
  • Control size, resolution, and dose for each exam
  • Adherence to the ALARA Principle helps you keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable
  • Low dose modes available for 3D images at a lower dose than panoramic images

Convenient for Everyone

This 3D technology makes image acquisition quick and simple.

  • Intuitive interface and letter landmarks on the bite block simplify the examination process
  • Open, face-to-face design puts patients at ease and promotes comfort
  • Fast scanning times (7 seconds minimum) prevent movement and reduce retakes
  • Accessible to patients of all sizes and individuals in wheelchairs

Versatile Capabilities

From traditional panoramic exams to endodontics, implant planning, oral surgeries and orthodontic applications, the CS 8100 3D is capable of much more than the average 3D unit.

  • Award-winning 2D technology for superb panoramic images in seconds
  • Accurate 3D representations ensure accurate diagnoses
  • CAD/CAM abilities allow a dentist to perform more procedures in their office
  • Family Dental Care™, located at 9101 S. Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn has invested in this state-ofthe- art technology and is available Monday through Saturday to consult patients. For immediateassistance and more information, contact them at (708) 425-9101. Weekend and evening appointments are available for your convenience. The website for Family Dental Care™ is www.FamilyDentalCare.com

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One Visit Dentistry!

Esthetic ceramic crowns or partial crowns in a single visit. Ask Family Dental Care™ about CEREC®. This new technology is in your neighborhood! Family Dental Care™ offers the availability of tooth-colored fillings and crowns, formed to exact tooth dimensions in a single office visit. The new approach to tooth restoration is made possible by innovative…

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Orthodontic Emergencies
Jun 23, 2017

Orthodontic Emergencies

At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It isn’t uncommon to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Yet it’s comforting to know that genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare.

If you think you may have an emergency, however, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: Is it an urgent situation that requires immediate attention, or a minor problem that you can take care of yourself, temporarily, until you can come into the office?

A Major Emergency

There are only a few true orthodontic (or dental) emergencies. They include:

  • Trauma or injury to the teeth, face or mouth
  • Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth or face
  • Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas

In any of these situations, you should seek help as soon as possible — go to an emergency room, if that’s your best option. Generally, however, the place to start is at the dental office. If, for example, you have a fractured tooth, that immediate problem requires diagnosis and treatment. Afterwards your orthodontic treatment plan can be adjusted as needed. Likewise, severe pain or swelling could be a sign of infection or disease, which also needs immediate treatment.

Some Minor Troubles

Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor compared to these situations — but they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it’s best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort and then call for an appointment. Here are a few of the more common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home:

Loose or broken brackets, bands or wires
This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food, or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don’t connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it’s irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will recommend the next step.

Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket or tie
As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won’t move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call for guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that’s causing problems.

When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, it’s best to make an appointment so it can be taken care of.

General tooth pain or loosening
It’s normal for teeth to become slightly loosened during orthodontic treatment — that shows they’re moving! Sometimes, this movement may be accompanied by tenderness, especially after braces are placed or adjusted. For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever. A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw can also offer some relief.

While actual emergencies are rare, the goal is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as possible.

Previous Blog Post

PANORAMIC DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES SAFER AND QUICKER DENTAL EXAMS

PANORAMIC DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES SAFER AND QUICKER DENTAL EXAMS

3D dental technology, otherwise known as “cone beam,’ is available in the south suburbs! Family Dental Care™, located at 9101 S. Cicero Avenue is Oak Lawn has invested in this technology to enhance the quality of care provided for patients. Technological advances, such as digital imaging systems, have significantly increased the level of detailed information…

Read More