Hygiene Services

Betsy, Nancy, and Nikki have been with our practice for at least 13 years each, adding excellent continuity to your care. Their expertise and interest in the latest developments in prevention of and supportive therapy for advanced gum disease assure you the best oral health possible.

Gum and Bone (Periondontal) Care

It has been estimated that as many as 85% of the American population has periodontal disease. The American Association of Public Health Dentists has called periodontal disease a national tragedy.

Our experience has us convinced that dental problems are completely preventable if diagnosed at the earliest stages and treated accordingly. We now recognize that the problems we see in the elderly had their beginning at a much earlier age...we sadly see the end stages of years of "little problems" that were "no big deal" at the time. Historically, dental problems have been ignored unless there was pain.

Most of the challenge is to change people's attitude towards prevention. The definition of prevention is to recognize a problem before it occurs and institute measures to prevent logical consequences.

We have taken advanced training and have instituted detailed steps to detect any signs of periodontal disease enabling us to begin treating it at its earliest stage.

The more bacteria present, the more the gums pull away from the tooth. In a healthy situation the gum "measurements" are 1-3mm with little or no bleeding or sensitivity during measuring. Our comprehensive periodontal evaluation includes all of the variables that may compromise treatment; etiology, general systemic health, heredity, patient commitment and motivation, behavior modification, and nutritional.

All of these factors are taken into account to design an individual treatment program for you. The most advanced techniques involve Sequential, Repetitive Therapy to achieve a gradual healing process until you achieve either the goal of absence of disease or the disease process is controlled for corrective procedures. This involves ongoing re-evaluation at each visit as the hygienist collects new data. We cannot be sure how you will heal...everyone is different. The sequence of therapies is crucial to the success of the healing. Our goal is to treat you to health, whatever it takes.