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5238 South 31st Street
Temple, TX 76502
Practice Logo
5238 South 31st Street
Temple, TX 76502

Periodontal Procedures in Temple

lady in dental chair waiting
Fairbanks Dental Associates offers Periodontic Treatment in Temple, TX. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 254-778-4402.

What is Periodontics?

Periodontics is a special branch of dentistry that focuses on the gums that surround and support your teeth. So often when we think about our oral health, we focus on just the teeth, but the gums play a huge role, too.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can be caused by many different factors, such as:

  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Teeth grinding
  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Chronic stress and poor diet
  • Diabetes and other medical issues
  • Certain medications
  • Tobacco

So, how can you tell if your gums are in need of attention? Below are a few common signs:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Longer teeth
  • Sore, red gums
  • Bad breath
  • Loose teeth
  • Pus oozing between teeth

Dr. Fairbanks and his team at Fairbanks Dental Associates are all highly skilled at diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. They work hard to help patients prevent it, too. Gum disease in its earliest form can be reversed entirely, but once it advances – it can’t. However, with the right attention and the proper treatment, the progression of the disease can be stopped.

Benefits of Periodontal Treatment

  • Relief from any pain or discomfort
  • An enhanced smile
  • Improved overall health
  • Fresh breath
  • Reduce the chance of further dental issues
waiting room

Procedures Offered

With every oral examination in our office, we are assessing the health of your gums - and addressing any areas of concern. To help you overcome the damage that periodontal disease can cause, we offer treatments, including:
Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is commonly used to expose more tooth structure, crown lengthening involves the removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of a tooth’s structure.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting treats root exposure resulting from receded gum tissue. Tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth or from gum tissue near the tooth and stitched into the area needing gingival repair.

Prophylaxis

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.

Antibiotic Treatment

A locally applied antibiotic delivers minocycline microspheres in the form of a powder. It is placed directly into the infected periodontal pocket at the time of scaling and root planing procedures for easy, targeted treatment. The microspheres adhere to the surrounding surfaces to provide a sustained release of the antibiotic at the site of active infection for effective treatment.

Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

Why Choose Fairbanks Dental Associates?

At Fairbanks Dental Associates, we want all of our patients to have an incredible smile. And we know that it starts with a healthy mouth - including both the teeth and the gums. With our long list of available treatments and Dr. Fairbanks’ in-depth knowledge in periodontics, we are able to effectively diagnose and create a personalized treatment plan to benefit our patients. If you have any of the symptoms above, it is essential that you seek treatment as soon as possible. We are here for you.

FAQs

Will gum disease go away on its own?

No. Gum disease will not just heal on its own, but rather continue to escalate. It requires the attention of a dental professional.

Can gums grow back?

No, gums do not grow back once they have receded. However, there are treatments available that can help to restore your gums.

Is a deep cleaning for gums painful?

It can be. Thankfully, numbing agents and/or sedation options are available at our office; either option can help remove any level of discomfort.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 254-778-4402.

Fairbanks Dental Associates

5238 South 31st Street
Temple, TX 76502