Dr. Choi and Dr. Conte are trained periodontists here to restore your gingival health, treat your receding gums, restore your missing teeth with dental implants, all which can help with your overall health.
We will work together with your dentist who has referred you to our office to help restore your periodontal health and dental function.
It has been estimated that 7% of American have some form of gum disease which can be linked to serious health complications and causes dental problems that are avoidable. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is caused by plaque and bacterial buildup around the gum line. For this reason it is imperative that daily home care, brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental cleanings is completed.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. At this stage the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. The spaces between your teeth and gums begin to form “pockets,” which are deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap plaque and bacteria. These deeper pockets allow plaque, bacteria, and tartar to accumulate, further destroying the structures that support the teeth.
There are other influencing factors that can contribute to periodontal disease including genetics, smoking, grinding or clenching your teeth, and your overall health and diet.
SCALING & ROOT PLANING
Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) is the most effective in the early stages of gum disease and can help to reduce periodontal pocket depths.
Scaling and root planing often requires hand instruments and an ultrasonic tool to remove the plaque and calculus accumulation from the root surface. The doctor or hygienist will use the instruments below the gum line to clean the roots of your teeth and smooth any rough surfaces. The goal of this deep cleaning is to clear away plaque and tartar away from the teeth to encourage the gum tissues to heal and reattach to the teeth.
MAINTENANCE THERAPY
Periodontal maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent the progression of periodontal (gum) disease in the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Periodontal maintenance is usually necessary for patients who have been diagnosed with and treated for periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance will be completed in conjunction with your regulary dental check-up and cleanings with your dentist. We will continue to work together with your dentist as a team to maintain your dental and periodontal health.
LASER THERAPY (LANAP)
Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) is a method of gum disease treatment that uses a laser instead of scalpels to remove bacteria and diseased tissue. It is widely considered by patients and doctors to be minimally invasive and minimally painful. The laser is used to remove bacteria and infected tissue as well as to help the doctor gain better access for the removal of bacterial calculus on the surface of the root.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
Flap surgery is sometimes performed to remove tartar deposits in deep pockets or to reduce the periodontal pocket and make it easier for you or your dental professional to keep the area clean. This common surgery involves lifting back the gums and removing the tartar. The gums are then sutured back in place so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth again.
A pocket reduction procedure is recommended if daily at-home oral hygiene and a professional care routine cannot effectively reach these deep pockets.
In some cases, bone may be smoothed and reshaped and repaired (grafted) with bone from another part of the mouth or with donor bone graft material. A membrane on the bone graft may be placed to help the bone grow back.
Bone loss can occur in your jaw bone due to periodontal disease or as a result of losing teeth. If inadequate bone is available for implant placement, bone grafting or reconstructive therapy may be necessary prior to implant placement.
RIDGE PRESERVATION
Soft tissue and bone collapse may result from a dental extraction. This can make it difficult for implant placement as well as make the area aesthetically unappealing. To prevent this a bone graft into the extraction site can be performed in our office. This will aid in future implant placement as well as help maintain the aesthetics of the area.
RIDGE AUGMENTATION
Your jaw bone may have already deteriorated because of periodontal disease or a previous extraction. A ridge augmentation bone graft may be necessary in order to build adequate bone for implant placement.
SINUS AUGMENTATION
The empty spaces above your upper jaw are called maxillary sinuses. When your teeth are removed or lost from this area, they often leave little bone with which to anchor a dental implant. Sinus grafts are sometimes necessary to lift your sinus away from the area and place a bone graft in preparation for implant placement.
A natural tooth is anchored into the jawbone by its tooth root. Tooth roots attach firmly to the jawbone and keep your teeth stable. When a tooth is lost a dental implant is place in order to replace the root or anchor of the crown of the tooth. A dental implant is inserted into the jaw bone and becomes solidly fixed of osseointegrated with the bone. Your restorative dentist will then place a crown onto this titanium anchor that looks, feels, and functions like your natural tooth.
SOFT TISSUE GRAFTING
Normally gum tissue surrounds and protects the delicate roots of your teeth. Exposed tooth roots are prone to tooth decay, discoloration, sensitivity, and can be aesthetically unappealing. In the most advanced cases, gingival recession can lead to tooth loss.
Soft tissue grafting replaces the missing gum tissue and protects your teeth. We offer a variety of treatment options to restore your gingival margins including the minimally invasive Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST™) that can restore the gum line without incisions, without grafting from the root of the mouth and without sutures.
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Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining optimum dental health, it is especially important when a patient has...Read more
I recently had a gum graft procedure in the Dallas TX area before traveling to northern California on business. I had a small problem with the stitches and since I was far from home, I had no choice but to find someone who could help me in San Ramon CA. I found Dr. Choi on Google so I decided to give his office a call. His staff was really polite and responded quickly to my needs. Their office was very clean as well. Dr Choi was very professional and courteous. He did a quick exam and got me back on my feet again on very short notice. On top of that, he did this without charging me anything at all. I would highly recommend Dr. Choi to anyone looking for a dentist / periodontist in the San Ramon CA area. You will not be disappointed!
I was recommended to see Dr. Choi for a procedure which had several steps and required me to visit many times over the course of 8 months. I had ample time to assess both Dr. Choi’s skill and his staff. Everyone was professional, kind and accommodating of my difficult scheduling needs. I would recommend Dr. Choi to anyone, without reservation, and I completely understand why so many dentist use him as their go-to recommendation.
Periodontal disease, commonly known as “gum disease,” occurs when bacteria infect the parts of the gums around the teeth, forming pockets and destroying tissue and bone if left untreated. Worse yet, the infection can lead to tooth loss, and it has even been linked to more serious problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, and low birth-weight babies.
Tooth loss or bone trauma can cause an indentation in the gums and jawbone where a tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. Not only is this indention unnatural looking, it also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth — or it impedes the placement of an implant in the adequate position. Reconstructive therapy can fill these defects and recapture the natural contour of the gums and jaw. We can then create a new tooth that is natural looking, easy to clean and beautiful.
In addition to procedures to treat periodontal disease, Tri-Valley Periodontics also performs cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile. Often, patients who pursue cosmetic procedures notice improved function as well.