152 High Rd, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7RG / 01932 341415 / [email protected]
A thorough and precise diagnosis can help us to fully treat any issues with your gums and general oral health.
We have invested in innovative technology that allows us to create the most accurate diagnosis possible. Our Planmeca Cone Beam CT-Scanner helps us to fully understand what is going on under your gums.
Your dentist or hygienist may have referred you because of a case of gum disease. We will want to assess the condition of your gums, which will be more thorough than a BPE (basic periodontal examination) that your dentist or hygienist completed. Once we have identified the level and progression of the disease, we can start to plan your treatment.
There are many different types of gum surgery. During your initial appointment, we can talk through what your issues are and how we can help. We can decide which treatments can best fit your diagnosis.
We will need to assess the density of your jaw bone before considering you for implant surgery. We will use x-rays and CT-scans to check the condition of your bone.
When it comes to designing your treatment, Pieter is a perfectionist. Once we have agreed on your diagnosis, we start planning your treatment. There simply isn’t just one way to treat a gum problem or failing tooth.
Once a treatment option has been chosen, we shall provide you with a customised treatment programme, which sets out the amount of appointments, the cost of each, the time periods between appointments and the treatment duration.
We want you to make an informed decision. Once we agree on an appropriate treatment, we shall give you a written treatment plan and cost estimation.
There a several types of gum disease, and several contributory factors such as smoking, diabetes, genetic susceptibility and chronic stress. All of these need to be taken into consideration when planning your treatment. Once we have collected all the necessary information and taken all relevant factors into consideration we shall provide you with a tailor made treatment plan.
Whether you need a gum graft to replenish receding gums or a gingivectomy, you will need a well-planned out surgery. Pieter will plan treatment that considers recovery times, any additional treatments like implants, or whether you will need IV sedation.
Once we know how many implants you need or whether you need a bone graft, we can start to plan out how many appointments you will need and how much recovery time you will need in between. Your implant treatment will be based on your individual needs. You can also choose to have IV sedation.
Once we have together agreed a treatment plan, we take the next steps.
Gum disease is treated in three phases: Conservative, Surgery and Maintenance. Most cases of gum disease can be treated successfully by Conservative means (instructions & cleanings). Some require Surgery as well. We use minimally invasive surgical techniques with a microscope. Everybody requires Maintenance (seeing an oral hygienist regularly and visiting Pieter once a year for a re-evaluation).
Treating receding gums involves repositioning your gum and/or doing gum grafts. For grafts, we can use your own tissue or use an alternative such as Alloderm.
Surgical
A titanium fixture/s is placed in your jawbone under a local anaesthetic using a minor surgical procedure. As titanium is very well tolerated by the body, the bone will bond to the fixture over a few months – this process is known as osseo-integration.
If you don’t have sufficient bone or gum, we may carry out grafting procedures to ensure an implant can be anchored firmly in place. Grafting may be done before or at the time of fixture placement.
Restorative
Once the implant fixtures have settled in and fully healed, we can fabricate & fit replacement teeth to the fixtures.
After your treatment, you will still need regular maintenance and check-ups.
Gum disease is a chronic disease. Once treated successfully, it will always want to come back. You will need regular support and maintenance with our oral hygienist, and re-evaluations with Pieter.
Dental implants are much more susceptible to gum disease than teeth. In fact, peri-implantitis (gum disease around dental implants) is the most common cause of implants failing. They need regular maintenance and check-ups to ensure they last a long time.