Dental Implants and Periodontal Treatment Services go well beyond cosmetic appearance. Undoubtedly, our smiles say much about us, but do you realize periodontal disease can not only ruin a smile, but evidence now suggests periodontal disease increases risk for heart disease.
This is more than how you look, this is how you live.
Dr. Adamo is proud to offer multiple levels of oral surgery and care services including Dental Implants, Cosmetic Surgery, and Periodontal Disease prevention and treatment.
We’d love to get you back to normal.
Don’t wait, schedule your $95 Initial Exam today!
Dental Implants
A single prosthesis dental implant is used to replace a single missing tooth.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tiny titanium posts placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. Dental implants are placed in your jaw to hold a bridge or tooth in place. The great thing about dental implants is that they do not rely on neighboring teeth to stay in place, such as a bridge.
Patients may get one tooth replaced with a single prosthesis, or if needed, 2,3 or more teeth replaced with a fixed prosthesis as shown in the illustrations.
More good news about a dental implant is they are so inconspicuous, nobody will know you’ve had surgery!
A fixed prosthesis (or multiple plant bridge) is used to replace more than one tooth with fewer implants.
Why should I get Dental Implants?
When teeth are missing, the bone that previously supported those teeth deteriorates. With dental implant surgery, the bone can be preserved by replacing missing tooth roots with dental implants. During the surgery, Dr. Adamo creates an aesthetic gum line around the implant. Eventually, the bone will form a strong bond to the dental implants where they will serve the same functions as natural tooth roots.
Why go through with dental implant surgery? Because you can now regain the ability to eat virtually anything and smile with confidence. You get your life back!
Still not convinced? Read more benefits below…
Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Dental implants help preserve your jawbone.
- The human jaw bone maintains its integrity through proper stimulation from the roots of the teeth. When a tooth is missing that portion of the jaw bone atrophies and wastes away.
- Dental implants help save adjacent teeth.
- Traditional replacements like bridges, or partials permanently damage the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth space.
- Dental implants are a lifetime restoration.
- Properly placed and maintained dental implants will last you a lifetime. Crowns, bridges, and partials only have an average life span of 5 to 20 years.
Am I a fit for Dental Implants?
If you have relatively healthy gums and bone structure you’re a great fit. The implants need adequate bone to support the root. Candidates need to be free of periodontal disease (see below for our periodontal treatment!)
What’s it like after surgery?
During surgery we go overboard in order to ensure your comfort. Read all about our patient experience. As with any oral surgery, you may expect swelling and minor bleeding. Dr. Adamo will provide tips for healing, eating, and recovery. Full healing from surgery depends on the patient, number of implants, and overall level of oral health. The office staff for Dr. Adamo will do all they can to ensure your speedy recovery. If for any reason you experience abnormal discomfort after surgery, please call the office immediately.
Care for your new implants is the same for all of your teeth. It’s vitally important to care for your teeth at home with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits for thorough cleaning and examination.
How do we start?
Please call our office (Harker Heights – 254-680-0223 · Waco – 254-754-1456) or fill out the online form to schedule your comfortable, easy, $95 Initial Exam. Dr. Adamo will go over your dental history, perform X-Rays (including in the $95), physically exam your teeth and jaw, and recommend a treatment plan for implants if you are a candidate.
Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
These procedures and services are a predictable way to cover unsightly, sensitive or exposed root surfaces and prevent future gum recession. If you have a “gummy smile”, receding gum line, or need corrective procedures before dental implant surgery, Dr. Adamo offers these cosmetic periodontal surgeries.
- Crown Lengthening – Although your teeth appear short, they may actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with too much gum tissue. This can be corrected by reshaping the excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of the natural tooth. Crown lengthening is also used to expose more of a broken tooth for a crown.
- Soft Tissue Graft – Gum recession can be caused by a number of things such as aggressive brushing, gum disease, naturally thin gums, and tooth loss. Gum recession is not only unsightly cosmetically, but can also make teeth sensitive and vulnerable to cavities. Soft tissue grafting is used to cover unattractive tooth roots, reduce gum recession and protect the roots from decay and eventual loss.
- Bone Grafting – Bone grafting is used to prepare your mouth for a dental implant. Tooth loss causes the jawbone to naturally recede but can lead to an unnatural looking indentation in your gums and jaw. Bone grafting preserves the socket and minimizes gum and bone collapse. This allows for less shrinkage and a more aesthetic tooth replacement for an implant crown. Bone grafting can also be utilized to save teeth which have bone loss due to gum disease.
- Sinus Lift – A sinus lift is usually the first step in a dental implant in the back of the upper jaw. Over time after a tooth loss, the bone in that regions shrinks. Because of this your sinuses will expand to occupy the collapsing space. In order to add an implant and crown, the sinus needs to be gently pushed back to make space for the implant.
TREATMENT FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Periodontal (gum) disease is a serious bacterial infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. It begins when the bacteria in plaque release toxins which cause the gums to become inflamed. The gums then separate from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and jawbone supporting the teeth are destroyed. Essentially, gum disease produces bacteria which eat away at your gums and jawbone.
Often, there is no discomfort associated with periodontal disease. But without treatment, the teeth often become loose and have to be removed. Excuses to not treat gum disease are, too busy, too expensive, teeth don’t hurt currently, the procedure is daunting, or it’s not necessary. While these excuses are real, the pain and expense of tooth loss is always greater. We offer a high level of patient care before, during and after the procedure. We also accept most major insurances or can point you to CareCredit to help pay for the procedure.
Are you at risk?
Everyone is at risk of getting periodontal disease. However, below are things that increase that risk:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tobacco If you smoke or chew tobacco, your risks increase significantly.
- Disease Diabetes or AIDS lower resistance to infection and disease.
- Medications Steroids and blood pressure drugs are examples of medications that can impair your gums. Be sure to tell us what medications your are or have been using.
- Hormone Levels Birth control pills, teenagers, and pregnant women face a higher risk of gum disease because of fluctuating hormone levels.
- Genes Mom and dad might pass on some of your oral issues.
- Bacteria The type of germs that cause periodontal disease can also be passed through saliva – another reason to brush and floss daily!
We believe you can’t afford to not correct periodontal disease. Don’t wait until it hurts.
Dr. Adamo offers:
- Non-surgical Treatment – Dr. Adamo provides Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing in which he and his team removes plaque and tartar down to the bottom of the periodontal pocket. The root of the tooth is also cleaned allowing the gums to heal and reattach to the tooth.
- Surgical Treatment – If non-surgical treatment is not enough, Osseous Surgery allows Dr. Adamo to remove plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas. Surgery reduces the depth of the periodontal pocket as well to keep teeth cleaner with more ease.