How can we help you?
We are happy to answer questions about our services and procedures.
These are a selection of some common questions that patients have. If your question isn't answered here, please contact our office. It's important to us that our patients understand their dental care.
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We will need current periodontal x-rays in order to see disease not otherwise visible. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request that they be forwarded to us.
Periodontal disease is a progressive and often painless infection that can silently damage your oral health over time. Delaying treatment can lead to further bone loss, making it more difficult and costly to restore your smile later.
If periodontal disease progresses to the point of tooth loss, dentures—while helpful—can never fully replace the function and feel of your natural teeth. Early intervention is key to preserving your bone structure, protecting your teeth, and avoiding more extensive and expensive treatments down the road.
At our office, we prioritize collaboration with your general dentist to ensure you receive the best possible care. If you need crowns, fillings, or other restorative treatments, your dentist will handle those procedures. We work closely with your referring dentist, and once your periodontal treatment is complete, you’ll return to their care for ongoing dental needs.
Regular visits to your dentist are an essential part of maintaining your periodontal health. Our goal is to provide specialized care while keeping your trusted dentist involved every step of the way. Together, we’re committed to your long-term oral health.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
The recent advances in periodontal treatment allow us to successfully treat most teeth. Early detection and treatment is important and will save you more complicated and expensive treatment. Early signs of gum problems include bleeding or painful gums and bad breath.
You can prevent periodontal disease by keeping good oral hygiene methods such as brushing and flossing and also visiting your periodontist for regular check ups and dental cleanings.
If periodontal (gum) disease is left untreated, the gums may pull away from the teeth and form pockets or spaces between the teeth and gums that usually become infected. Without treatment, the infection can progress, bone loss can occur and teeth may become loose, fall out or require extraction.
Periodontal or gum disease is a pathological inflammatory condition of the gum and bone support (periodontal tissues) surrounding the teeth.
The cost of periodontal treatment varies because every patient’s needs are unique. Your periodontist will need to complete a thorough examination before determining your treatment plan and associated fees. Factors like the complexity of your condition, the type of treatment required, and the duration of care all impact the cost.
In most cases, we can provide an approximate fee during your initial visit. However, in some situations, additional diagnostics or initial treatments may be needed before a final treatment plan and cost estimate can be established.
At Texas Periodontal Associates, our philosophy is to provide the most conservative treatments necessary to achieve optimal results. We also understand that cost can be a concern, which is why we offer flexible financing options through Cherry and CareCredit. These options make it easier to prioritize your oral health without the financial strain.
Don’t let concerns about cost delay your care—schedule your consultation today to learn more about your personalized treatment plan and financing options!
Your gums could be receding because of multiple reasons such as clenching your teeth, previous history of periodontal disease or previous history of braces.
Your gums usually bleed because they are inflamed and this inflammation is most of the time caused by bacteria.
We will be as gentle as possible. The periodontal exam can be completed with little or no discomfort.
Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be controlled without surgery. We will make recommendations based on your individual situation. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.
Dental insurance policies often cover periodontal treatment. There are variations in the rebates you can expect from your health fund depending on the type of Health fund and type of coverage you have. Before any treatment is initiated you will be given an estimate of costs as well as the relevant item numbers for your treatment. You will then be able to contact your health fund to find out the amount that your health fund will pay for your treatment.
All-on-4®
Yes, you can! With the revolutionary All-on-4® dental implant procedure, you can receive a fully functional, natural-looking smile in just one day. This advanced treatment option is ideal for patients who need to replace multiple missing or failing teeth or are tired of dealing with uncomfortable dentures.
The All-on-4® technique involves strategically placing four dental implants to support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth. This streamlined process eliminates the need for bone grafting in most cases, reducing treatment time and cost.
At Texas Periodontal Associates, our expert team specializes in providing same-day teeth solutions like All-on-4®, ensuring comfort, precision, and long-lasting results. If you're ready to transform your smile in just one visit, contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Dental Implants
Placing a single implant may take as little as thirty minutes, while a complex surgery requiring multiple replacements can take more than 3–4 hours. After the implant is placed, the patient schedules a follow-up appointment several months later to allow the implant to properly heal and fuse with the jawbone.
Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth, Improved speech (with poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within your mouth, causing you to mumble or slur your words), improved comfort, easier eating, improved self-esteem, improved oral health, durability, convenience.
In the past, a bridge was your only choice, and still involves more than just the missing tooth. The adjacent teeth need to be "prepped" by removing most of the enamel in order to fabricate the bridge. With dental implants, however, the dentist replaces just the individual tooth for a result that is stronger and permanent.
Some insurance plans cover implants, and some do not. ... The crown attached to the abutment of a dental implant can be covered under some dental plans. Some medical insurance plans are beginning to cover aspects of dental implants, especially if there are medical complications as a result of tooth loss.
Extractions
Tooth extraction is performed by a periodontists and is a relatively quick outpatient procedure with either local, general, intravenous anesthesia, or a combination. Removing visible teeth is a simple extraction. Teeth that are broken, below the surface, or impacted require a more involved procedure.
Simple extractions are performed when the tooth is above the gumline and can be removed with a lifter and forceps. The process and healing time are both quick. This may be used for a decayed tooth or a tooth that is broken but is still above the gumline. It’s also used to remove teeth when the root has died or if your teeth are crowded and removal is necessary to facilitate orthodontic treatment.
Surgical extractions, on the other hand, are more complicated. A surgical extraction requires an incision into the gum to get to the tooth. This type of extraction is necessary if your tooth has broken below the gumline or if it is multiple pieces and some are stuck beneath the gums. A surgical extraction is also necessary for impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or completely covered by gum tissue.
The American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site suggests teeth are usually removed due to trauma, disease or crowding. When a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling or a crown because of an accident or extensive decay, an extraction may be your best recourse. Teeth that aren't supported by enough bone due to periodontal disease are also candidates for removal. Infected (abscessed) teeth that don't respond to root canal treatment may need to be taken out, as well.
It is normal to feel some pain after the anesthesia wears off. For 24 hours after having a tooth pulled, you should also expect some swelling and residual bleeding. However, if either bleeding or pain is still severe more than four hours after your tooth is pulled, you should call your dentist