Patients FAQ

What is a Certified Specialist in Periodontics?

A periodontist is a general dentist who has chosen to spend extra standardized training in a recognized university environment and specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of the supporting structures of the teeth (ie: bone and gums).

A periodontist is also one of 3 specialties that have been trained in a standardized and accredited university environment. These programs are three years in length today with post graduate training and a requirement of board certification to practice as a certified specialist and the ability and honour of being called a “certified specialist”. Dr. Desai continues to surpass minimum continuing dental education requirements set by the province in order to extend her dental knowledge each year at professional meetings and in the university environment.

What is an implantologist or an implant dentist?

There is no recognized specialty of implantology. The practice of implant dentistry in Canada or the United States is not regulated to any one specialty. Any licensed dentist in the province or state can practice “implant dentistry”. However there are only 3 recognized specialties that have recognized “implant dentistry” training in a standardized university environment. These including: Periodontist, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Prosthodontist (teeth/denture placement) on top of implants.

The term “implantologist” usually refers to a general dentist who has decided to include surgical and/or restorative dental implant treatment as a major part of the dental services offered to their patients. In some cases this level of training is adequate but it is not the equivalent of graduate training in a recognized specialty environment

Digital Xrays (xray photo on computer)

Dental xrays replace standard xrays in the 21st century. The benefits are the speed of seeing the xray as well as the sensory is more sensitive then standard dental films so that exposures can be almost 70% less. So much so that we do not need lead lining in the operatory rooms anymore! In addition it is environmentally friendly as there is no lead film backing or toxic chemicals to dispose of! The patient can also see the xray image on the computer monitor just as easily as the dentist can. neighbour or family member is not necessarily like comparing apples to apples. A graft is not just a graft – there are many many different types. Thus, the costs will vary as well as one’s own individual healing and postoperative symptoms.

Will my Insurance Cover this?

Our staff will assist you in filling out the forms and sending them electronically to the insurance company in order for you to expedite your financial reimbursement. We shall report only what is to be performed and when it was done in a true and accurate report. The amount you receive from your dental insurance company depends only on the contract your employer has negotiated with the insurance company. This dental insurance is a contract between the insurer and the insured. Thus you are responsible for full payment of any treatment delivered in the office. This in turn makes Dr. Desai only responsible to you and not have a conflict of interest with the dental insurance company paying her directly.

How long does an implant last?

Dental implants today have a very high success rate. Things that compromise these success rates are patient health (diabetes, smoking, HIV, metabolic bone disease) along with poor oral hygiene or pre-existing periodontal disease still remaining in the mouth.

Like any mechanical working part (like our cars) there is no exact way to predict the longevity of an implant but many researchers are quoting 95% success rates. The advantage is that should failure occur, there is no problem replacing the implant although the crown/denture needs to be refabricated

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Summary of benefits:

• Improved appearance.
• Improved comfort.
• Enjoy chewing and tasting foods again.
• Convenience.
• Protect remaining natural teeth.
• Improved self esteem.

Dental implants allow for an increased ability to chew and function with implant-supported teeth. People with dentures can only chew food with about 20% of the force of their natural teeth, people with implants can chew with 85-95% of the force of their natural teeth. Also a common problem of denture wearers, particularly those with lower dentures, is the lack of stability of dentures. The insecurity of loose dentures can be replaced by an implant supported denture. In the case of upper dentures, you do not need to have the denture cover the roof of your mouth any more! Anyone with dentures knows how important the teeth, gums and jawbone are in supporting the lips, cheeks and lower face. Loss of control of these important structures gives an appearance of premature aging and for many people causes emotional distress and a loss of self esteem. Implant-supported teeth and dentures can slow down this aging process and help improve self esteem and often felt loss of intimacy. So, while functional benefits are the most obvious, cosmetic and emotional benefits are for many people as, or more important, than improved chewing.

I have heard that with lasers, now pocket elimination surgery can be avoided and replaced?

CLICK HERE for more information

Is periodontal surgery a cure for periodontal disease?

No. once you have periodontal disease, you are always at risk for further breakdown. The bacteria which cause periodontitis in your mouth are still there and only meticulous home care and regular periodontal visits (as recommended by Dr. Desai) can keep these bacteria and thus your pockets in check (ie: like oil changes on a car). Excellent home care with postoperative visits and following a suggested hygiene schedule as recommended will predict the success of your periodontal surgery.

Does implant or periodontal surgery hurt?

This is one of the most frequent concerns. After surgery, the most common comment we receive is how comfortable most people feel after the procedure. If you follow the postoperative instructions as directed and take the non-narcotic prescriptions and antibiotics Dr. Desai has suggested and finally apply ice to the extraoral skin surface of the surgical site, most people return to work the next day and comment how smoothly things have gone! The most common complaint is some residual root sensitivity which lessens usually within 4-6 weeks after surgery.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Symptoms include: no real pain, occasional pressure, food getting stuck between teeth, loosening teeth, occasional but not always bleeding red gums, receding gums, bad breath and diminishing force of biting teeth. In addition to spaces between your teeth or a change in the way your teeth bite together are all signs of gum disease. The presence of pain is often one of the LAST symptoms to appear so donÂ’t count on this!

Why should I see a periodontist?

Your periodontal disease may progress to the point where only a periodontist may be able to help you. Periodontists receive extensive training, including 3 additional years beyond dental school, in order to learn state-of-the-art techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases. Dr. Desai continues to take hundreds of hours of continuing educational courses per year to stay abreast of the newest techniques in dentistry, dental implants and periodontal treatment. Aside from treating periodontal diseases, there are other reasons to visit Dr. Desai. If you are missing one or more teeth, and are considering dental implants, your periodontist can help you decide if they are right for you. Finally, Dr. Desai can help create proper gum appearance to improve your smile.

What are the benefits of seeing a periodontist?

Besides fresh breath, a renewed confidence in your smile, restored oral health and a new sense of health and vitality, you'll be able to chew your food more easily and enjoy foods you avoided because they were too difficult to eat. With help from Dr. Desai, plus your own dedication to good oral health, you no longer have to accept tooth loss as part of getting older and should keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Periodontal Disease: What you should know

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is one of the most common infections today. More than 75% of North Americans over 35 years of age have some form of periodontal disease. Although many are infected, few know they actually have the disease. In a recent study, 8 out of 10 people surveyed believed they did not have periodontal disease, 7 out of 10 exhibited one or more symptoms. Periodontal diseases are painless until they reach an advanced stage. If left untreated, periodontal diseases can result in:

• Bad breath.
• Red, swollen and bleeding gums.
• Tooth loss.

In fact, periodontal diseases are the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Despite all these facts, periodontal diseases are some of the most preventable diseases.

How can I be tested for periodontal disease?

You should request a thorough periodontal examination at your next dental visit. During this exam, your gums will be inspected for color and firmness. Your teeth will be tested for looseness and checked for the way they fit together when you bite. In addition, x-rays may be taken to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth. A technique called periodontal probing is the cornerstone of testing for periodontal disease. In this procedure, a small measuring instrument is gently placed between your tooth and gum to measure the depth of the pocket. Periodontal probing should be part of every complete dental examination. Ask your dentist and hygienist to show and explain to you the complete charting at the end of every recall appointment!

Warning signs of gum disease:

• Bleeding gums during tooth brushing and flossing.
• Red, swollen or tender gums.
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Pus between the teeth and gums.
• Loose or separated teeth.
• A change the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

What can cause gum disease?

The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, daily cleaning is required in the form of brushing and flossing. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums. The toxins destroy supporting tissues around the teeth. Gums then pull away from the teeth, forming pockets which then fill up with more plaque. As gum disease progresses, the pockets continue to become deeper and deeper. Consequently, plaque continues to move further down the roots of the teeth damaging the bone which support them. Unless treated, the affected teeth can become loose and eventually may be lost.

Why Do I Need Periodontal Surgery?

If Dr. Desai has determined that the tissues around your teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical therapy, then periodontal surgery is the treatment of choice.

What about healing time?

If you follow Dr. DesaiÂ’s instructions, you can generally expect to enjoy your normal routine the following day. Talk with Dr. Desai about any special post-operative considerations you may have, such as exercise, diet or post-surgical medications. This should help minimize any disruptions to your daily activities.

What types of treatment are available?

The type of gum treatment you receive very much depends on the stage in which it is caught. If Dr. Desai makes the diagnosis in the early stage of disease, proper brushing and flossing along with scaling and root planing may be all that is required. If, on the other hand, the disease is more advanced, you may require further treatment.

What is Scaling and Root planing?

Scaling and root planing is the non-surgical technique that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline using specially designed instruments.

Other techniques may be used to treat your disease. If your gum recedes, thus exposing the root surface, a gum graft is necessary to prevent further recession. Recession can lead to tooth sensitivity and root cavities in the future if it is not treated.

If you have substantial bone loss around some of your teeth, Dr. Desai may use special bone growth techniques to replace bone lost to periodontal disease.