General Dentistry

Exceptional General Dentistry Services

Spot the Dental Problem Before It Develops

Dr. James E. Silvia is your best bet for comprehensive dental care that is sure to make you smile! Our dental team of hygienists and Dr. Silvia will identify problems and provide effective treatment at the earliest. Count on us for all you preventive dental needs such as x-rays, cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments. With proper maintenance, you could save on potentially expensive procedures in the future!

Oral Care for Prevention

Periodontal disease can sneak up on you without warning, and the American Dental Association urges you to follow through with regular dental checkups, including radiographs and periodontal examinations. A good home care routine is key in preventing gum disease from starting and keeping your mouth healthy after any type of oral treatment. Here's what you need to do:

Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Replace your toothbrush when the bristles are worn.
Floss daily to clean between your teeth and bridge work, crowns or implants.
Use an antimicrobial mouthwash.

Professional Cleaning

If your dental hygienist cleans your teeth every six months or so, you know that a routine professional cleaning involves scaling teeth and the gumline to remove plaque and tartar, and polishing to remove stains and smooth the tooth's surface. This is done to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you have symptoms of gum disease, however, you may need another type of cleaning, called scaling and root planing.

When Is Scaling and Root Planing Recommended?

Although routine cleanings are done to prevent periodontal (gum) disease, scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure done to treat periodontal disease. In fact, this procedure – sometimes called a deep cleaning – is considered the "gold standard" of treatment for patients with chronic periodontitis. Healthy gum tissue fits tightly around each tooth, the measurement from the top of the gumline to where it attaches to the tooth should only be 1 to 3 millimeters in depth. But, when bacterial plaque and tartar accumulate around and under the gums, tissues that support your teeth may be affected and periodontal disease can develop causing deeper pockets to form. When you have more advanced signs of gum disease (bad breath, heavy tartar buildup and unhealthy pocket depths of 4mm or more), your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing as the first procedure necessary to treat the condition.

Periodontal Maintenance

After periodontal treatment, whether it's surgical or nonsurgical, we may want to put you on a schedule of maintenance visits. Dr. Silvia recommends his patients have their teeth cleaned every 3 to 4 months following scaling and root planning until it can be shown that a healthy oral environment is being maintained. These maintenance visits consist of routine cleanings and the careful examination of your gum tissue, as well as measurements of your pocket depths and to measure gum recession.

Call us Today to Schedule Your Comprehensive Evaluation!

508-673-3336

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Since 2001