Dr. Stephen Brown is a Philadelphia Periodontist who is a nationally recognized expert. He provides Dental implants in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Gummy smile reduction, variety of cosmetic, periodontal and implant dentistry procedures to enhance your smile's comfort, function and beauty. For a healthy, beautiful smile in Philadelphia PA, Montgomery County, Camden NJ, call 215.735.3660 or visit http://www.theperiogroup.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Treating Overgrowth of Gum Tissue

Tooth eruption consists of an active and a passive phase. Active eruption is the movement of the teeth in the direction of the occlusal plane, whereas passive eruption is related to the exposure of the teeth by apical migration of the gingiva.

Altered passive eruption is characterized by excessive gingiva in relation to the crown of the tooth. This condition may be localized or generalized, may exist in conjuction with or without periodontal disease and should be considered in planning for restorative, orthodontic and esthetic dentistry.

While altered passive eruption is usually diagnosed by clinical observation, this condition is often overlooked or unrecognized. Failure to recognize this condition can result in compromised clinical outcomes.

Correct diagnosis of altered passive eruption and proper therapy will result in improved dental care and esthetic results for patients. Read more here about this condition and how Philadelphia Periodontist Dr. Stephen Brown treats the overgrowth of gum tissue.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Functional Crown Lengthening Procedure Available to Enhance Philadelphia Smiles

Cosmetic Dentistry: Functional Crown Lengthening

Periodontal procedures are available to lay the groundwork for periodontal and restorative dentistry and/or to improve the health and esthetics of your smile. Periodontal crown lengthening is a procedure that recontours the gum tissue surrounding one or more teeth so that an adequate amount of healthy tooth is exposed. Crown lengthening is often used as part of a treatment plan for a tooth that is to be fitted with a crown. This procedure provides the necessary space between the supporting bone and crown, preventing the new crown from damaging gum tissues and bone.

Your dentist or Periodontist may recommend a crown lengthening procedure to make a restorative procedure possible. If a tooth is badly worn, decayed, or fractured, below the gum line, crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to gain access to more of the tooth so it can be restored.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

Functional crown lengthening is an important part of an integrated effort to optimize your health, appearance, comfort, and function. A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health are your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.


Philadelphia Gum Specialist, Dr. Stephen Brown is uniquely qualified to deliver this service in the Philadelphia, PA, Montgomery County, Camden, NJ area. For a consultation with this gum disease dentist, call (215) 735-3660 or visit http://www.theperiogroup.com/.


Monday, September 14, 2009

TMD : Dental Treatment for Temporomandibular Disorders

Do you have frequent headaches, earaches, tender jaw muscles, or a dull, aching facial pain? Does your jaw lock or stray to one side when you open your mouth? These aches and pains may be related to the jaw joint, called the temporomandibular joint or "TMJ", and the muscles that work to move the joint. These painful conditions are often called "TMD" for temporomandibular disorders.

Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders

Temporomandibular disorders come in many shapes and sizes and include a wide array of signs and symptoms, all ranging in severity. Some patients will experience symptoms without any function loss that is apparent. Some specific symptoms are:

  • tender jaw muscles

  • clicking or popping jaw noises

  • difficulty with opening and closing the mouth

  • pain associated with yawning and/or chewing

  • jaw joints the feel as though they are either "locked," "stuck" or "go out"

  • headaches, including migraines
  • pain in or around the ear

How the jaw joints and jaw muscles work

The joints and muscles on each side of your jaw help open and close the mouth. These joints move in many different directions and allow individuals to chew, talk and swallow.


The two temporomandibular joints are among the most complex joints in the body. They work together in a delicate balance with muscles, ligaments, cartilage and your jaw bones . When a problem prevents these parts from working together properly, pain may result.

What Causes TMD?


Several conditions my be associated with TMD. This often makes it difficult to pinpoint the cause of a particular case of TMD. Related conditions may include:

  • injuries to the jaw or head

  • diseases of the muscles or joints, such as arthritis

  • bite problems (teeth don't fit together properly)

  • stress


To determine how best to treat your condition, a thorough evaluation is recommended. Your dentist may check the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed, so it is important to keep your dental office record up-to-date. Your dentist may take x-rays and may make a model of your teeth to see how your bite fits together. Your dentist may also request specialized x-rays for the TM joints.



Treatment Options

There are several ways TMD may be treated. Your general dentist may recommend treatment, or he or she may refer you to a physician or dental specialist.


Treatment may involve a series of steps. The step-by-step plan allows you to try simple treatment before moving on to more involved treatment. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has recommended a "less is often best" approach in treating TMJ disorders.



The following self-care practices may be recommended:

  • eating softer foods

  • avoiding chewing gum and biting your nails

  • modifying the pain with heat packs

  • practicing relaxation techniques to control jaw tension, such as meditation or biofeedback.


If necessary for your symptoms, the following treatments may be advised:

  • exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles

  • medications prescribed by your dentist, for example, muscle relaxants, analgesics, anti-anxiety drugs, or anti-inflammatory medications

  • a night guard or bite plate to decrease clenching or grinding of teeth.


In some cases, your dentist may recommend fixing an uneven bite by adjusting or reshaping some teeth. Orthodontic treatment may also be recommended. Your dentist can suggest the most appropriate therapy based on the suspected cause.



*This information is supplied by an American Dental Association patient brochure. To order copies, call 1-800-947-4746 or visit www.adacatalog.org.



To learn more about TMJ or TMD, if you have chronic headaches Philadelphia or any of the other symptoms of TMD, or if you would like to ask a question about treating TMD, contact The Perio Group at (215) 735-3660 or http://www.theperiogroup.com/.





Wednesday, August 26, 2009

What Your Gums Can Expect When You Are Expecting

The American Academy of Periodontology

AAP Patient Page

September 2007




Congratulations! You are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant! Whether or not you want it, everyone you know will be giving you advice about how to eat, sleep, exercise, and take care of your body during this exciting time. However, what some might forget is the importance of taking care of your oral health.



Good oral health is always important. However, it may be especially important for expecting mothers as recent research suggests that pregnant women with periodontal diseases may be up to seven times more likely to have a baby that’s born too early and too small. Preterm births are dangerous for both baby and mother. They are the leading cause of neonatal death and can lead to life-long health problems such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and difficulties with blindness and lung disease.

The likely culprit of this possible connection is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin. Very high levels of prostaglandin are found in women with severe cases of periodontal disease.

In addition, other research has identified bacteria commonly found in the mouth and associated with periodontal disease in the amniotic fluid of some pregnant women. Amniotic fluid is a liquid that surrounds an unborn baby during pregnancy. Any disruptions in the amniotic fluid, such as a bacterial infection, could potentially be dangerous to both the mother and baby.


Don’t panic! Take your concerns to your dental professional. If you’re diagnosed with periodontal disease, your periodontist might recommend a common nonsurgical procedure called scaling and root planning. During this procedure, your tooth-root surfaces are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the root to remove bacterial toxins. Research suggests that scaling and root planning may reduce the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women with periodontal disease by up to 84 percent.












To learn more about the risks associated with periodontal disease, visit Philadelphia Periodontist Dr. Stephen Brown (215) 735-3660 on the web at http://www.theperiogroup.com/ or visit the AAP website at http://www.perio.org/.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Did you know that treating your gums can reduce the severity of arthritis?

In a June 2009 article in HygieneTown, Ortiz, et al reported that "treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis might relieve the symptoms of arthritis." Both Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease are classified as chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by local destruction of both hard and soft tissues. Both diseases release cytokines or proteins from inflammatory cells and thus the progression of one disease can impact the progression of the other and vice versa.

For the purpose of this study, researchers at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, provided non-surgical periodontal therapy to 20 patients diagnosed with RA. A second group of 20 was formed as a control goup and also consisted of RA patients. All patients were taking medications to control RA and half the group was taking an anti TNF drug. Those takeing the anti-TNF drug were randomly assigned to both the treatment group and the control group.

Baseline exams included blood tests, DSA28, and periodontal clinical indices. Half the group received Scaling and Root planing and oral hygiene instructions and each member of both groups were evaluated after six weeks.

Those receiving non-surgical therapy showed improvement in their periodontal health and those taking the TNF drug showed greater healing than those who were not taking the drug. Scaling and Root Planing subjects not taking the anti-TNF drugs showed significant improvement in periodontal indices as well as indicators of RA severity compared to controls, either taking TNF or not. serum TNF levels were reduced for those receiving periodontal treatment compared to controls.

According to Ortiz et al, the study revealed the following clinical implications: "Treatment of moderate to sever periodontitis might relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis." Visit http://www.hygienetown.com/ for the complete story.

For more information about the perio-systemic link, visit any of the following resource websites

or call Dr. I. Stephen Brown at The Perio Group (215) 735-3660.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Philadelphia Periodontist Corrects Overgrowth of Gum Tissue During Orthodontic Treatment

Excess gum tissue can create the appearance of short teeth and a "gummy" smile—and make your oral health more difficult to manage. A number of factors can cause a gummy smile. Philadelphia periodontist, Dr. Stephen Brown can remove excess gum tissue to give your mouth a new look. Esthetic crown lengthening can enhance your smile by creating a more even gumline, making the teeth appear longer. The procedure can also improve the patient's ability to eat and allows for better oral hygiene, resulting in less irritation.

During Cosmetic Crown Lengthening, a cosmetic periodontal procedure, gum tissue is surgically removed, and in some cases, some of the underlying bone is also removed.

In this example, a young lady had experienced irritation from braces (orthodontics). If a patient has excessive gum tissue at the time of orthodontic treatment, the gums can become irritated by the braces, even with proper oral care. Following orthodontic treatment and removal of her braces, an overgrowth and enlargement of her gums became evident, making her teeth appear much too short and her smile much too "gummy".


Before

Montgomery County Periodontal Specialist, Dr. I. Stephen Brown corrected the condition utilizing a cosmetic periodontal procedure, making her smile much more attractive.

After


To learn more about correcting gummy smiles and other gum procedures, call Philadelphia Gum Specialist Dr. Stephen Brown (215) 735-3660 or visit him on the web at www.theperiogroup.com and submit your questions online using one of the "contact us" forms located throughout the website.

Monday, June 29, 2009

What is the Cost of a Dental Implant?

With the continually rising costs of health care, patients must recognize that fees for dental implants, beyond inventory and overhead, are a reflection of significant additional educational requirements and considerable investment in the highly technical equipment which is required to assure you the most favorable, predictable and long-lasting clinical outcomes.
When compared to routine dental procedures like fillings, cleanings, extractions and root canals, dental implants might be considered expensive. However, unlike conventional methods of tooth replacement, a successful dental implant can last a lifetime.

Multiple published studies have shown that virtually every other form of tooth replacement has a finite life, and requires replacement on a regular basis. For instance, caps or crowns and bridges represent short term solutions to tooth loss, and need to be replaced every 5-7 years. Every time a crown is replaced it causes additional loss of tooth and gum tissue, a potential need for root canal treatment and / or periodontal therapy Camden NJ.

Furthermore, each time a crown is replaced, the current fee is considerably greater than the original fee, simply due to inflation. Consider the initial cost of a dental implant versus the continuing costs of replacing existing restorations. Many studies have shown that the success rate of implants and implant supported crowns and bridges is around 95% or better. Every other form of tooth replacement, or medical procedure, pales by comparison.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to provide an “average” fee for dental implants. Fees are determined based on type and number of implants required. Costs are also related to the extent of related procedures which are often necessary to properly prepare the site of a missing tooth to receive an implant. These procedures may be required to build up bone and gum tissue. The condition of the jaw bone, medical issues such as Diabetes and smoking, are all elements which also must be factored into the establishment a fair fee.

It should be remembered that nobody comes to a dentist for an implant. Discerning patients expect that an implant is placed to insure a functional and cosmetically acceptable tooth replacement. Providing such an outcome requires significantly more skill than simply placing an implant in the jaw bone.

All things considered, Philadelphia dental implant treatment represents not only the most technologically advanced, but the most cost effective form of tooth replacement. Coupled with the level of care, skill and judgment exercised by a well trained implant surgeon, one would be hard pressed to find a more affordable option. Dental implants can provide a permanent solution to your dental problems, while avoiding the long term inconvenience and escalating costs associated with less permanent options for tooth replacement.

Monday, June 15, 2009

New Periodontal Laser Provides Many Benefits for Philadelphia Gum Disease Patients

Laser surgery provides another option for patients who have already undergone a scaling and root planing procedure without sufficient results. Normally traditional blade surgery would be indicated for such a patient; however, with the addition of the PerioLase® to our treatment armamentarium, patients have available to them a realistic alternative with comparable results. The benefits of LANAP™ include less pain, less gum recession, decreased bleeding, swelling and root sensitivity, and maybe the most important benefit, less downtime after treatment. An added benefit of laser surgery is the antibacterial effect that helps discinfect the periodontal pockets.

Laser treatment is also beneficial for patients who have medical problems requiring medications such as aspirin, Plavix, and Coumadin. Since LANAP® causes much less bleeding than traditional surgeries; patients do not have to discontinue using these life-saving medications prior to surgery. Patients with advanced periodontal disease who take bisphosphonate medications such as Fosamax can avoid having extractions because even teeth with a poor prognosis can often be saved with this life-changing procedure. This is especially important because studies have shown that Fosamax can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw following tooth extraction.

For more information about how Philadelphia Dental Patients can benefit from LANAP Laser Therapy, contact Dr. I. Stephen Brown at The Perio Group 215.735.3660 or visit the "Laser Alternative" page of The Perio Group Website.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Functional Crown Lengthening: Laying the Groundwork For Exceptional Restorative Results

Periodontal procedures are available to lay the groundwork for periodontal and restorative dentistry and/or to improve the health and esthetics of your smile. Functional crown lengthening Philadelphia is a procedure that recontours the gum tissue surrounding one or more teeth so that an adequate amount of healthy tooth is exposed.

Crown lengthening is often used as part of a treatment plan for a tooth that is to be fitted with a crown. This procedure provides the necessary space between the supporting bone and crown, preventing the new crown from damaging gum tissues and bone. Montgomery County Periodontist, Dr. I Stephen Brown often recommends a crown lengthening procedure to make a restorative procedures possible. If a tooth is badly worn, decayed, or fractured, below the gum line, crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to gain access to more of the tooth so it can be restored.

What are the benefits of this procedure?
Functional crown lengthening is an important part of an integrated effort to optimize your health, appearance, comfort, and function. A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health are your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.

Questions? Call Dr. I. Stephen Brown, Periodontist & Implant Dentist in Philadelphia, PA at 215.735.3660 or visit him on the web at http://www.theperiogroup.com/.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Cosmetic Dentistry: A Cosmetic Crown Lengthening Procedure Can Be The Key To Smiling, Eating and Speaking With Comfort and Confidence

You may have asked your Periodontist about procedures to improve a "gummy" smile because your teeth appear short. Your teeth may actually be the proper lengths, but they're covered with too much gum tissue. To correct this, Philadelphia periodontist, Dr. I. Stephen Brown performs a gum lengthening procedure often referred to as Cosmetic Crown Lengthening Montgomery County.

During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth, to even your gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.

Your dentist or Periodontist may also recommend crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Perhaps your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored with a crown or a bridge.

What are the benefits of this procedure?
Whether done to improve function or esthetics, cosmetic crown lengthening often gives patients the benefits of both: a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health. Patients find that those are the keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.

To learn more about Tooth Lengthening Philadelphia and many other periodontal and dental implant procedures go to www.theperiogroup.com or call Camden NJ area periodontist, Dr. I. Stephen Brown at 215.735.3660.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Montgomery County Periodontist Provides Tooth Extractions Without Trauma

The offices of Periodontal and Implant Dentistry Specialist Dr. I. Stephen Brown are unconditionally committed to the lifelong retention of natural teeth in function and health. However, as a dental implant specialist, Philadelphia Periodontist, Dr. Stephen Brown is frequently faced with the difficult decision of how to most appropriately manage severely-compromised teeth from a periodontal or restorative standpoint.

The clinical challenges which result from the extraction of periodontally-hopeless teeth are profound. Treatment planning and atraumatic management of extration sites must focus upon the retention or re-creation of sufficient volume of bone and soft tissue and adequate crestal height and contours to achieve esthetic and functional restorations.

It is extremely important to envision a functionally and cosmetically acceptable tooth replacement and consider ridge preservation or immediate implant placement before the removal of any tooth. Patients are encouraged to consult with Dr. I. Stephen Brown regardging the most efficient way to handle such treatment and to click here to read more about atraumatic extraction and ridge preservation.

By anticipating the possibility of alveolar loss subsequent to the extraction of a tooth, Camden, NJ dental implant specialist Dr. I. Stephen Brown can also minimize the number of surgical procedures a patient may have to endure to achieve optimal treatment results.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

What Patients are Saying About Montgomery County Periodontist, Dr. Stephen Brown

What Patients are Saying About Philadelphia Periodontist Dr. Stephen Brown:

Patient Testimonials

From beginning to end, my experience with Dr. Brown and his staff could be categorized as first class. Dr. Brown did an outstanding job of restoring my gum tissue and his assistants were always friendly and accommodating. I was also impressed with the high level of professionalism that was demonstrated by his front office staff. Overall, I would rate my experience with Dr. Brown's office as top-notch and would recommend his practice to anyone who is in need of periodontal services.
Arnold Sirull

I regret that I had to go through this experience but now that I have, you were the right people! I sincerely, value and appreciate your patience, expertise, patient focus and support. I wish you each much continued success!
John Creveling

Never have I had a better treatment than Dr. Brown gave to me. I think that his experience makes him an excellent Doctor. Moreover, the staff of Dr. Brown was so friendly with me, giving therefore a comfortable atmosphere. At the beginning I was so afraid; I thought I would never recover my beautiful smile. However, Dr. Brown gave me faith and a beautiful new smile for all my life.
Thank You Very Much Dr. Brown and Staff.
Richard Aguilar

My treatment with Dr. Brown was an unqualified success. I had two surgeries and they both went remarkably well. His staff is both caring and professional and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him any day.
Karen Reibstein

I was undergoing extensive dental work and found I needed implants for a few future teeth. I was recommended to Dr. I. Stephen Brown. I had a consultation with him and he explained everything that needed to be done and he answered all my questions. His staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the work went well. Dr. Brown did a wonderful job putting my implants in and I am very happy with the results. I would recommend Dr. Stephen Brown to anyone who would need his experience.
Connie Hagan

Dr. Brown,
I am very pleased with the way things are turning out. I was overwhelmed and completely uncomfortable by my gums when I first came to you. Thank you for the genuine interest and reassurance that you gave me. It is making a world of difference. Your staff is the friendliest group I’ve ever seen. I feel very fortunate.

Click here to read more patient testimonials and to see what Doctors are saying about their colleage and gum disease expert, Dr. Stephen Brown.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Philadelphia Periodontist Dr. Stephen Brown discusses who is a candidate for dental implants



Dr. Stephen Brown recently was interviewed by Randy Alvarez of the Wellness Hour, the leader in Medical News and Information. Dr. Brown is the premier periodontist in Philadelphia and has several academic appointments. Playing this video will show people looking for dental implants Philadelphia all they need to know.



Click here to play to learn about Philadelphia dental implants

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Initial Periodontal Therapy in the General Practice

A quality periodontal program in Philadelphia PA requires coordinated efforts between the patient, general dentist, hygienist and Montgomery County periodontist, Dr. I. Stephen Brown. It is important that the periodontal program include periodontal examinations on all patients, documentation of all clinical findings, continued assessment of the patient's periodontal status and that patients are aware of their current situation and recommended treatment needs.

The benefit of a soft tissue management program are generally well known and include:

-Helping patients to reduce or eliminate existing periodontal disease.
-Building rapport with new patients.
-Exhibiting quality care, enhancing patient education, informing patients of their periodontal status, satisfying legal requirements.
-Maintaining periodontal stability.
-Determining which patients need to be referred to the Periodontist.
-Improving the predictability of restorative care by creating a better environment in which to perform restorative dentistry.

Follow this link to learn more about The Team Concept of Managing the Periodontal Patient, Philadelphia, PA Montgomery County Camden NJ.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Philadelphia Gum Tissue Regeneration Procedures

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck collar around your neck. When you have periodontal disease in Philadelphia, PA, the supporting gum tissue and bone is destroyed. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth may have to be extracted. Regenerative procedures are often recommended to regain some of the lost hard (bone) and soft (gum) tissues which have been lost.

These procedures can reverse some or all of the damage naturally, by stimulating your body to reproduce the lost tissue. After painlessly removing the disease causing bacteria, bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

What are the benefits of these procedures?
Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating gum and bone tissue help to reduce pocket depth and repair the damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease. With a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care, you increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth and are less likely to experience the serious health problems associated with periodontal disease Montgomery County.

To read more about these procedures visit Philadelphia periodontist, Dr. Stephen Brown at www.theperiogroup.com.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

What is Implant Dentistry? Learn the Many Advantages of Dental Implants in Philadelphia

Dental implants are man-made replacements for natural teeth. The implants themselves are artificial tooth roots carefully and painlessly placed in the gum or jawbone. Replacement teeth are then permanently secured to the implants. The benefits are remarkable. They look, feel and function like your natural teeth!

When implant supported teeth are placed in the mouth, it permits you to brush your teeth without having to deal with the embarrassment of removable teeth or unpleasant adhesives. Another benefit is not having to cut down adjacent teeth to facilitate a conventional fixed (tooth supported) bridge. One of the many advantages of dental implants is that they preserve rather than compromise your teeth, gums and jaw bone.

Implants provide a solid foundation of support for permanent, non-removable teeth. Increased chewing ability means you can enjoy more nutritious foods, which contributes to your overall health and well-being. In short, dental implants improve the quality of your life.

Implants can enhance your appearance, boost your self-confidence, and allow you to speak with greater clarity. Another advantage of dental implants is that they stop the continuous loss of jaw bone that rapidly occurs after teeth have been removed. This is an unfortunate natural process that can only be stopped by providing a permanent method of tooth replacement.

Dental implants are usually placed by Periodontists or Oral Surgeons. Successful implant treatment is dependent upon the implant surgeon creating a team of professionals: a surgeon who places the implant, a restorative dentist who is responsible for tooth replacements, and a dental laboratory technician who fabricates cosmetically pleasing teeth. Excellent collaboration between the three disciplines insures a comfortable, functional and cosmetically pleasing tooth replacement.

It’s a modern miracle, but one which has revolutionized the tooth replacement process. If you’ve lost one or more teeth, ask your dentist if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Questions? Ask Dr. Brown.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

Dr. Brown is committed to providing the most successful, least invasive and most cost effective methods of treating gum disease. Non-Surgical periodontal therapy focuses on treating the cause (specific bacterial infections) of periodontal disease, thereby permitting the tissues to repair themselves naturally. In most cases, this eliminates or substantially reduces the need for periodontal surgery. In the past, many people who had been treated with surgery only, had to have it again and again over the years. Now we know the reason why. The infection that caused the disease was by never eliminated a purely surgical approach to treatment. Anti-Infective Periodontal Therapy treats the tissue ravaged by periodontal disease, but more importantly, treats the infection that caused it as well. Contact the Philadelphia dentists at the Perio Group for more on treatment for gum disease through non-surgical procedures.

Friday, April 10, 2009

What is Periodontal Disease?

The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal diseases, more commonly known as gum disease, are a family of serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal Disease is characterized by many unpleasant side effects: gums that are swollen, red, and frequently bleed during tooth-brushing, bad breath, and tooth sensitivity. In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. During these early stages, gum disease is more easily treatable than when it has gone unattended for a period of time.
Good oral care not only helps prevent gum disease, it may also help prevent serious medical diseases as well. Studies have shown that gum infections increase the risk of heart disease by up to 170%, fatal coronary disease by 50%, strokes by 300%, and pre-term births by 700%. They also increase the risk of diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. A healthy mouth, free of periodontal disease is an investment in your overall health as well. Find out more about the Periodontal Disease general health connection.
It’s easy to do a “Self Evaluation” to find out if you have any of the Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease. If you would like to have more detailed information on Periodontal Disease contact Dr. Stephen Brown directly.