Thousand Oaks Periodontists
Meet Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky
Exceptional Perio Care from Thousand Oaks Periodontists
Just a short drive from Thousand Oaks, California, our dual-board certified periodontists are committed to providing their patients with the highest standard of care to completely restore their patients’ smiles and oral health. At the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy, Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky strive to offer restorative periodontal therapies that can revitalize the function, look, and feel of your teeth and gums, to revive your oral health and confidence when smiling! If you are missing teeth, or experience complications with your gums, the aesthetics of your smile, or your oral health, a periodontist in Thousand Oaks can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan for your needs. Schedule your periodontal consultation today, and allow us to help you love your smile once again!
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that is caused by bacteria-laden plaque. It begins in its earliest stages as gingivitis, which is characterized by swollen, red, inflamed and tender gums that bleed when brushing or flossing. If detected early enough, gum disease is treatable and reversible through a combination of lifestyle changes such as diet changes, which includes incorporating foods that combat inflammation, professional deep cleanings, and a proper at-home oral hygiene routine.
Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which is simply an inflammation of the gum tissue. When the bacteria found in plaque builds up around the teeth and is not removed properly, it can harden into tartar. Dental calculus, also known as teeth tartar, is a solid deposit that builds up around the teeth that can only be removed with a professional cleaning. We often get asked, “can I remove tartar at home.” Although tartar cannot be removed manually at home and it must be removed with professional cleaning, there are ways to control and prevent the build-up of tartar. As the bacteria found in plaque continues to spread below the gum line, it can lead to more severe forms of gum disease leading to a number of complications including periodontal pockets, where the gums pull away from the teeth creating crevices where bacteria can build-up, gum recession, where the gums become permanently damaged and recede resulting in exposed tooth roots, and eventually, in severe cases, bone damage, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Scaling and Root Planing in Thousand Oaks
Gum disease is the most common cause of gum recession. Periodontal disease damages the gum tissue, causing it to recede, and leaving the tooth roots exposed. When the tooth roots become exposed, patients are at a higher risk of developing decay, and experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Additionally, extra long teeth can cause an overall aged and unhealthy looking smile, causing many patients to feel insecure about their smiles.
In order to prevent periodontal disease from spreading, it is important to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine that includes brushing daily, flossing twice a day, and seeing your dental hygienist in Thousand Oaks for bi-annual cleanings. When you receive a dental cleaning in Thousand Oaks, your dental hygienist will professionally clean teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and around the gum line, polish the teeth to remove stains, and smooth the tooth surfaces. They will also check for periodontal pockets to ensure the gums are healthy and fit tightly around each tooth. However, if you exhibit symptoms of gum disease, a different type of cleaning, which involves scaling and root planing in Thousands Oaks will be performed.
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical periodontal therapy that is used to treat gum disease in Thousand Oaks. Also known as a deep cleaning, it is used to remove the bacteria, plaque, and tartar that has built up below the gum line and on the roots of the teeth. Scaling is the treatment that specifically refers to removing bacteria and tartar from below the gumline and roots of your teeth. During the cleaning, your dental hygienist will utilize a scaling tool to remove the tartar and plaque from the surface of your tooth roots.
We often get asked, “can a general dentist do scaling and root planing?” and it is important to note the importance of having your gum disease treatment in Thousand Oaks performed by a periodontist. This is because a periodontist is an expert in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease. They have received extensive education and training in treating conditions related to the gums and supporting structures, including the teeth and underlying bone. Seeking treatment from a periodontist is necessary in treating advanced cases of gum disease, as they can provide the right diagnosis and plan for restoring damaged gum tissue, something which a general dentist cannot do.
If you suffer from gum disease and are seeking treatment to restore your oral health, our dual-board certified periodontists can help. Contact us today to schedule your periodontal consultation.
VISIT THE CENTER FOR ADVANCED PERIODONTAL & IMPLANT THERAPY
Visit our site to view more amazing before-and-after periodontal surgery images or schedule a consultation near Thousand Oaks. You can also call Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky at (310) 826-8242 today.
