Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is common among dental patients and is the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. It develops as the result of an accumulation of harmful bacteria harbored in hardened plaque on the teeth both above and beneath the gum line. Plaque is usually brushed or flossed away; but plaque allowed to remain […]
Continue Reading...Gingivitis & Periodontitis
Gingivitis and periodontitis are gum diseases caused by a proliferation of bacteria along and beneath the periodontal tissues. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease, beginning with minor symptoms like gum inflammation. Although it is highly treatable, gingivitis is often left untreated and allowed to progress into an advanced stage of a periodontal disease […]
Continue Reading...Periodontal Bone Graft
Most cases of periodontal disease are treatable using minimally invasive procedures, such as scaling and root planing or gum surgery. However, a periodontal disease that has been allowed to progress can result in deteriorated bone beneath the gums. When bone is destroyed by gum disease, it can no longer adequately support the teeth, eventually leading […]
Continue Reading...Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a very common procedure used for functional and cosmetic purposes. In restorative dentistry, crown lengthening is used to prepare the teeth for dental restorations, such as caps and crowns, which require a sufficient amount of tooth structure above the gum line in order to support new restorations. Other patients may elect to […]
Continue Reading...Non-Surgical Gum Treatments
There is a wide range of procedures at the disposal of periodontists for the treatment of periodontal diseases and conditions. When multiple treatment choices are available, the American Academy of Periodontology supports the use of the most minimally invasive and cost-efficient option. Often, this means that patients can undergo non-surgical treatments to restore periodontal health. […]
Continue Reading...What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a highly common infection of the periodontal tissues (gums and bone) that are responsible for supporting the teeth. These infections are caused by bacteria that grow on the teeth near the gum line due to poor brushing and flossing practices. Periodontal disease is known as gingivitis during its earliest stages, which is […]
Continue Reading...Types of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases in America, affecting nearly 65 million adults over age 30. There are two types of periodontal disease – gingivitis and periodontitis. Each refers to an accumulation of bacteria along the gum line though one is more severe than the other. Gingivitis – the least invasive form of […]
Continue Reading...Signs & Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease – also known as gingivitis and periodontitis – is most easily identified by the visible symptoms it causes as it progresses. In its beginning stages, a periodontal disease often causes no symptoms at all, making it difficult for the average person to notice. With time, bacteria begin causing inflammation in the gums, which […]
Continue Reading...Gum Surgery
Periodontists treat their patients with the most conservative measures possible, but sometimes surgery is necessary to facilitate oral health and aesthetics. Some of the reasons your periodontist may recommend gum surgery include: To restore gum tissues lost to periodontal disease. Also known as guided tissue regeneration, this procedure is often combined with bone grafting to […]
Continue Reading...Periodontal Scaling & Root Planing
Periodontal scaling and root planing are procedures used to treat periodontal disease. Thought of by many as a ‘deep cleaning’, this in-office procedure involves the careful removal of hardened plaque near the gum line, where harmful bacteria can grow and cause damage to both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. The treatment starts […]
Continue Reading...What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who has undergone additional specialty training beyond dental school pertaining to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases. While general dentists often treat the mildest cases of periodontal disease, most patients with moderate to advanced gum disease are referred to periodontists. A periodontist can carry out complex periodontal treatments […]
Continue Reading...Soft Tissue Grafting
Your smile is an important part of your appearance. And though the size, shape and color of the teeth are most frequently associated oral cosmetics, the gums play an essential role too. When gingival tissues begin to recess, your teeth may look oversized and uneven. Soft tissue grafting is often used to restore the gum […]
Continue Reading...Post Op for Periodontics
A periodontal operation is a surgery to restore gum tissue lost to periodontal disease, improve the cosmetic appearance of one’s smile, or otherwise prepare the teeth for restorative prosthetics. Periodontal surgery is performed under local anesthesia – usually from the comfort of a dental office. Though there is little or no discomfort associated with the […]
Continue Reading...Dental Implants in Ottawa, ON
Dental implants are surgical-grade root devices that support permanent tooth prosthetics that are manufactured to last a lifetime. These artificial roots are anchored in the bone beneath the gums where they become fused into the jaw. A crown is mounted atop the implant for a long-lasting and natural looking smile. Many dentists and patients prefer […]
Continue Reading...Composite Tooth-Colored Fillings
Composite fillings – also known as tooth-colored fillings – are dental restorations designed to be inconspicuous and natural in appearance. They blend well with the teeth and appear more natural than amalgam fillings, which are darker and more easily seen by other people. Composite fillings are made of ceramic and plastic compounds that chemically bond […]
Continue Reading...Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that are used to replace or restore damaged or missing teeth. Crowns – also known as caps – are fixed over the surfaces of natural tooth structures or dental implants. Bridges are used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth and are anchored in place […]
Continue Reading...Removable Dentures
Dentures are removable tooth prosthetics designed to look and function like natural teeth. For thousands of years, some form of denture has been used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth, although today’s dentures are much more advanced and easier to care for. Most dentures are composed of replacement teeth attached to plastic […]
Continue Reading...Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are clear coatings applied to the surfaces of a child’s molars to prevent the development of tooth decay. They work by preventing food and plaque from resting in the grooves and crevices of molars – an area especially susceptible to cavities. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. […]
Continue Reading...Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are more extensive than dental fillings but less so than caps and crowns. They are typically formed in a dental lab and are made of gold, porcelain or resin depending on the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals. An inlay refers to a restoration that is formed to fit […]
Continue Reading...Root Canals
Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues. When it becomes infected, patients can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated. Root canals remove […]
Continue Reading...TMJ Treatment
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which is the bone structure, muscles and connective tissues that surround the jaw and control chewing. When patients experience disorders of this joint, they are said to have a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. Symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness near the jaw, as well as popping or clicking […]
Continue Reading...Veneers and Laminates
Dental veneers – also known as laminates – are used to cosmetically enhance the appearance of one or more teeth. Veneers are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that are customized for a desirable color and shape. They are bonded to the surface of the teeth to reshape broken, misshapen or irregular teeth, as well […]
Continue Reading...Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening procedures are used to brighten the appearance of a patient’s smile – sometimes by as many as 5 to 10 shades in a single session. According to the American Dental Association, teeth whitening procedures have become some of the most popular esthetic dental treatments among patients throughout the country, including. Professional teeth whitening […]
Continue Reading...General Dentistry in Ottawa, ON
General dentistry encompasses a broad range of diseases and disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region. Everyone should see a general dentist, like Dr. Haysam Shaaban, for routine oral health examinations, twice-yearly cleanings, and treatment of routine oral health complications, such as minor tooth decay. General dentistry is as much about prevention as it is […]
Continue Reading...Cosmetic Dentistry in Ottawa, ON
Your smile is the first impression that others have of you, so it makes sense that you would want it to be bright, white and healthy. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, more than 99 percent of all American adults believe that a smile is an important asset for social situations. Perhaps that […]
Continue Reading...Dental Cleaning & Consultation
Preventative care is a foundation of dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist regularly – usually about twice yearly – for full cleanings, examinations, and consultations for potential treatment. Professional dental cleanings help remove built-up plaque that is not removable using conventional brushing and flossing. Often, dentists are also capable of identifying potential […]
Continue Reading...Sports Mouth Guard
Dental mouth guards have long been used to protect the teeth, gums and supporting tissues from damage, injury and trauma. There are two types of sports mouth guards – over the counter and custom. While OTC guards are helpful for occasional use, many dental patients require the benefit of a customized dental mouth guard fitted […]
Continue Reading...Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are routine dental procedures used to remove decayed, damaged or otherwise problematic teeth. Dentists usually make every effort to preserve natural teeth, although sometimes an extraction is necessary. Although the procedure is performed in a dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office, it is considered surgery. Depending on which teeth are removed, they may be […]
Continue Reading...Provisional Restorations
Provisional restorations are often used during complex restorative dental procedures to serve as temporary prosthetic replacements while patients wait for a permanent restoration. Provisional restorations offer patients to try-out the look and feel of the final prosthetic and make any necessary changes before the final fabrication and fitting. Unlike temporary prosthetics of the past, modern […]
Continue Reading...PFM Restorations
Porcelain fused to metal, or PFM restorations have been a standard in restorative dentistry for more than three decades. During that time, dentists around the world have adopted PFM crowns and bridges due to the versatility for use, as well as their ability to be matched to surrounding teeth. PFM crowns provide an excellent balance […]
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