Comprehensive Dental Specialty Care in Sioux Falls, SD – Periodontics, Endodontics & More
Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist when they detect signs of gum disease or inflammation. This type of specialty dental care involves advanced training and a focus on treating gum-related issues.
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Periodontics
Periodontics is a special branch of dentistry that addresses gum disease. It is a complex dental specialty that encompasses a wide range of soft tissue and bone procedures.
It includes treating and diagnosing gingivitis, gum disease and other disorders of the gums and jawbone. It also focuses on preventing bone loss and placing dental implants.
Your dentist refers you to a periodontist in sioux falls sd if they believe that you need specialized gum care. Periodontists have three years of additional, specialized training to help you maintain your teeth and gums in good condition.
During deep cleanings (called scaling and root planing), periodontists remove infection-causing bacteria from the pockets between your teeth and gums. They may use a topical or oral antibiotic to control the bacterial infection and promote gum reattachment. They also perform a surgical procedure called crown lengthening, which removes the excess gum tissue around a tooth to expose more of the natural tooth for restorative or cosmetic reasons. They also perform bone grafting, which replaces the missing bone tissue caused by periodontal disease or injury.
Endodontics
A root canal is a dental procedure that eliminates bacteria in the centre of a tooth, saving it from infection and preventing it from needing removal. It’s one of the most popular tooth-saving procedures and is performed by a dentist with specific training in endodontics.
Using local anesthetics, the dentist will open up the gum tissue near the tooth and access the area. The dead nerves and infected tissue are removed, and the space is cleaned and sealed with a filling. The endodontist may also recommend a crown to restore the tooth.
Unlike general dentists, endodontists spend four years in dental school and have two more years of advanced training to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the inner tissues of your teeth. The American Association of Endodontists describes them as “tooth-saving specialists.” They use materials and equipment that protect the surrounding tissue during treatment, like a sheet of plastic or rubber called a dental dam, and digital radiographs to get clear pictures of the tiny roots inside your teeth.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery, or oral & facial surgery, is an internationally recognized surgical specialty. It requires a dual qualification in dentistry and medicine.
Maxillofacial surgeons are trained to handle a wide variety of conditions and injuries that affect the head, mouth and jaw. Some of the most serious injuries involve fractures to bones in the face, such as cheekbones, eye sockets or jawbones.
They also treat patients with cleft lips and palates, birth defects that can have cosmetic and health impacts for life. They may replace missing or damaged teeth with synthetic options like dental implants, shave and readjust bone, and repair broken sockets in the face or jaw. They can correct misalignment of the lower and upper jaw, known as “corrective jaw surgery,” to improve chewing, speech and breathing. They are experts in the removal of wisdom teeth. They can also provide Stemodontics services, a method for the collection and storage of stem cells that can help with future dental or bone reconstruction.
Prosthodontics
Periodontist in sioux falls sd is a dental specialty focused on restoration and replacement of missing teeth and other oral structures. It combines science and art to create dental prosthetics (like crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants).
It’s best to replace a tooth as soon as possible to prevent shifting of the remaining natural teeth, bite problems, jaw bone loss, and other complications. If your dentist recommends that you see a prosthodontist, they’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan.
During their three years of speciality training, prosthodontists learn to diagnose and treat complex dental issues. They also act as the ‘architects’ and ‘quarterbacks’ of the dental team, working with other specialists and health professionals to develop a solution for your needs.
