If you are embarrassed by missing teeth or tired of not being able to eat your favorite foods, you may be a candidate for dental implants, a permanent way to replace gaps in your smile. An increasing number of my patients choose a dental implant to replace missing teeth with artificial ones that in most cases can't be distinguished from the real thing. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from high-strength titanium that I position in the jaw to anchor a replacement tooth or bridge. Imagine how good it will feel to smile, speak, and eat with confidence, leaving your discomfort behind.

Patients may experience a receding gum line either because their gum tissue is overly thin and delicate or because they are suffering from periodontal disease. Without treatment, most gum recession will continue to worsen and eventually cause bone deterioration, raising the risk of tooth loss. In addition, receding gums, especially at the front of the mouth, look unattractive and unhealthy. To treat gum recession, I can perform a cosmetic gum surgery procedure called gum grafting, which involves transplanting gum tissue to shore up the receding area. Instead of using tissue from a patient's own palate, which causes unnecessary discomfort through an additional surgery, over the past 10 years I have been using AlloDerm, a naturally derived material, with tremendous success.

Missing teeth can be cute on a child, but for an adult, it can be unflattering and cause harmful bone deterioration, which may lead to jaw pain, headaches, poor nutrition, and further tooth loss. For my patients who are missing teeth, I often need to reinforce and build up surrounding bone by performing bone graft or ridge preservation treatments before I complete any tooth restoration procedures, such as placement of a dental implant. These procedures provide good outcomes for patients who have already seen some bone deterioration or need to augment the height or width of bone, fill anatomical voids, or correct congenital defects

Almost 8 out of 10 American adults over the age of 35 have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause bad breath, swollen and receding gums, extremely sensitive teeth, and eventual tooth loss. Also, independent studies have indicated a relationship between gum disease and development of cardiovascular disease, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, and other conditions such as pancreatic cancer. As a gum specialist, I can professionally treat periodontal disease using the latest technology and laser treatments to help you maintain your overall health.