January 11th, 2010 admin
As people age, it becomes very common to have receding gums. In the past, we described a person that was “long in the tooth” as being old because the gums shrink back and make the teeth appear longer. While it is natural or common, it is not a good thing.
When the gums recede, the bone follows. If the recession continues, there is less and less bone to support teeth and evenutally tooth loss is a result.
Dr Timmerman can help! Call 206-241-5533 to learn what options you have.
Posted in Periodontal Care | Comments Off
October 18th, 2009 admin
Many offices dumb down terms in hopes that patients will understand our advice. Is it possible that in an effort to be clear, we (as a profession) devalue what it is exactly that we are doing? We are finding that we have created misunderstandings. The truth is, there is no such thing as a “deep cleaning” in a dental office.
A dental office is either cleaning teeth (polishing them up, removing stains, etc) or providing periodontal therapy. This therapy is often called a “deep cleaning” but that isn’t really what is done. The goal here is to remove what is called the bio-film from below the gum line. The bio film is a collection of plaque and bacteria and it can create an inflammatory response from your body. Chronic inflammation can affect your entire body, and periodontal disease destroys bone around the teeth. If left untreated, you will lose teeth. If left untreated, you could die (I know, it sounds like an exaggeration, but just ask Whoopi Goldberg)
The process for periodontal therapy WILL make a person’s teeth clean, and the process IS deeper than a “regular” cleaning, to call it a “deep cleaning” is not truly accurate…
Sometimes we get patients that will request a “regular” cleaning when a “deep cleaning” was recommended. While it would seem logical that you could request that, the laws are clear that the dental health care provider cannot violate standard of care, and a patient is not capable to waive the standard of care. Legal precedent has been set, and if a dentist has diagnosed gum disease, therapy must be performed even if a patient requests otherwise.
It is similar to a physician diagnosing an infection in your lungs. He cannot simply give an aromatherapy candle and ignore the infection. The patient has the right to decline care and leave, but the doctor cannot ignore the infection.
Dr Timmerman feels very strongly about this. If you have periodontal disease, a gritty toothpaste cleaning will only be offered in ADDITION to therapy, not as a replacement.
Posted in General Dentistry, Periodontal Care | Comments Off
September 22nd, 2009 admin
There are many applications in dentistry for lasers. Lasers can be used to detect decay, they can be used to whiten teeth, they can be used to fight gum disease and they can be used to prepare teeth for restorations. By using different wavelengths and mediums, the results are less post operative pain and more predictable outcomes.
One of the greatest applications is when fighting gum disease. Since the laser light has an affinity for certain cells, the collateral damage is limited. Situations that in the past (or currently in a less progressive office) that would have required surgery are being treated non-surgically with great success. In cases of deep pockets, rather than remove tissue, pocket depths are reduced and become more manageable.
In most cases, the laser is so gentle, patients do no require getting numb!
If you would like to see if laser dentistry is for you, call 206-241-5533!
Posted in General Dentistry, Periodontal Care | Comments Off
September 12th, 2009 admin
The link between gum disease and systemic health has been known for quite some time. We are continually learning just how severe the effects can be. Dr Timmerman hopes that many people will read this article.
Source: abcnews.go.com
Gum Disease Linked to Head and Neck Cancer
Posted in Periodontal Care | Comments Off
September 4th, 2009 admin
Dr Timmerman doesn’t like to get too dramatic and try to scare people, but the fact is GUM DISEASE CAN KILL YOU.
Recent research has shown links between gum disease (periodontal disease) and strokes, heart disease, low birth weight babies, premature births and more. While it has garnered SOME press of late, it got a much higher boost to awareness on an episode of the View. Watch what Whoopi Goldberg has to say!
Call 206-241-5533 to see what we can do at Fort Dent Smiles by Lance Timmerman DMD can do for YOU…!
Posted in Periodontal Care | Comments Off
