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What is a Periodontist, and What Can He Do for Me?

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A periodontist comes in handy in matters of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and dental implant placement. Adults can receive all types of periodontal services at Scott Young DDS. The Woodlands periodontist specialist has a board-certified periodontist on-site to conduct surgeries and effectively address gum disease. To get the most of your periodontal treatment and other services, call the office or use the online scheduling tool today.

What Does a Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a medical practitioner who specializes in oral surgeries and treating oral soft tissue conditions such as periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontists are also experts in the art of placement of dental implants for crowns or dentures. They can also diagnose the cause of oral inflammation. Generally, periodontists address more complex dental issues, such as severe gum disease or if you have a complicated medical health history.

When Should I See a Periodontist?

You may never have to see a periodontist if you maintain regular dentist visits for cleaning, oral exams, and keep to an effective oral hygiene at-home routine. However, suppose you have gum disease or are considering dental implants. In that case, your team of general dentists at Scott Young DDS recommends you schedule an appointment with their in-house periodontist, Dr. Akers.

What Treatments Does a Periodontist Perform?

Since a board-certified periodontist specializes in addressing gum disease, Dr. Akers offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatments to sustain your oral health, including:

  •       Dental implants
  •       Gum graft surgery
  •       Laser treatments to remove tartar beneath your gum line
  •       Regenerative procedures
  •       Dental crown lengthening
  •       Pocket reduction in the gums

Dr. Akers applies the latest technology and methods to ensure your comfort while restoring your gum and oral health.

Gum Disease Treatment

If gum inflammation or gingivitis is identified early, dental cleaning can offer relief. In other cases, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to eradicate the infection. However, if unchecked, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis. In this case, inflammation spreads around the tooth and beneath the gums, allowing bones and bacteria into the bone.

Periodontitis can be addressed with nonsurgical procedures known as scaling and root planing, which works by removing plaque and tartar on the tooth’s surface and root. When the inflammation is too severe, periodontal surgery is required to save the tooth and its surrounding structures. Where necessary, Scott Young DDS specialists provide sedation dentistry to offer comfort during these procedures.

If you suffer from a recurring gum problem or are considering dentures or dental implants, book an appointment with Dr. Young’s office. If your medical providers believe that you need a specialist, they refer you to an in-office periodontist that works at your convenience to eliminate separate office visits to other locations.

Other Services

New and existing patients can also contact Scott Young DDS experts for various quality services, including:

  •       Oral surgery
  •       Dental crowns
  •       Sedation dentistry
  •       Sleep apnea
  •       TMJ treatment
  •       Teeth whitening
  •       Cosmetic veneers

Your oral needs demand the services of a competent service provider. To get exceptional dental results, contact cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Young on the phone or use the online booking tool.

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

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Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw. 

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth. 

Now what? 

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps. 

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces 

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth 

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves. 

3. Control Bleeding 

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist. 

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments. 

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time. 

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals. 

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

  1. Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time. 
  2. Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies. 
  3. Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.
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