February 2015

Maple Avenue Family Dentistry is committed to giving their patients the best possible care. Our dental team has completed a week long training program to keep current and up to date with the new guidelines from the American Academy of Periodontology. All clinical and administrative employees in our practice received advanced training on how to recognize, diagnose and treat “Comprehensive Periodontal Disease”.

According to Andrea Barone, DDS the owner of Maple Avenue Family Dentistry “we are seeing more and more patients with Periodontal Disease in our dental practice and I wanted to make sure our clinicians and administrative staff are up to date on the latest standards of care regarding Periodontal Therapy”.

Dr. Barone hired a top outside Periodontal Consulting firm from Boston, MA to roll out the extensive training program. On your next visit to our practice we will educate you on the benefits of our training.

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Your oral hygiene is an important aspect of your overall health. Studies show that there is a definite link between periodontal (gum) disease and much more severe health related issues such as stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Gingivitis can lead to more serious problems such as periodontitis and is a leading cause of tooth decay and tooth loss in adults.

It is essential that a periodontal exam is regularly performed. Early intervention is the best defense against periodontitis. A periodontal exam includes an exam of the teeth, gums and xrays of the underlying bone structure. If gum disease is indicated we can generally perform a non-surgical course of action that is highly effective and relatively painless. Good oral hygiene is an important deterrent to gum disease. Ask any of our staff, hygienists or doctors if you are showing any signs of gum disease. With early detection, more serious dental problems can be avoided.

Our team of doctors can keep your teeth healthy so that you can avoid more serious problems if your oral health is left unchecked.Periodontal disease very often progresses over a period of time, and sometimes without pain. The longer it goes unnoticed, the more damage it causes to gums and tissues. Making your oral health a priority as part of your continuous healthcare and performing a simple, yet regular, oral hygiene routine of brushing several times daily with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily, will significantly reduce the development of gum disease and help keep your natural teeth for life.

What is a Periodontist?

Periodontal Care in Barrington, RI Within dentistry there are several specialties to address the needs of individual patients. A periodontist specializes in diseases and degeneration of the gums. Periodontists require special training after completing dental school. Typically, they continue training for an additional three to five years in their chosen specialty. Dr. Robert Bouffard is the Periodontist in our practice. He uses a variety of surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat inflammation, infection and degeneration. Our team of dental specialists are also able to perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to improve appearance and restore damaged areas.

Some non-surgical techniques that periodontists may use are root planning and dental scaling. These procedures remove plaque from the roots of the teeth thus inhibiting the growth of additional bacteria. They may also perform root debridement in which the tissue that has been damaged is removed. Surgical treatments such as bone grafting can be used to replace areas where the bone has deteriorated.

Periodontists are also able to perform a variety of cosmetic procedures. They may lengthen crowns to improve the appearance of teeth that are worn or they may restore veneers for a more complete restoration. Periodontists are also able to place dental implants, a more complex surgical procedure. Dental implants can be used to replace lost teeth and attach directly to the jaw providing better comfort, fit and durability.

Dental insurance may not always cover the services or procedures. Contact our Front Desk Staff to assist you with determining if a periodontal procedure is covered. 401-247-2200.

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