Periodontic Dental Services by Reedley Family Dental Office

Occlusal Adjustment in Reedley, CA

If you are looking for an occlusal adjustment in Reedley, CA, Reedley Family Dental can evaluate your bite and determine whether small adjustments may help improve the way your upper and lower teeth come together. Bite irregularities can sometimes develop naturally, after dental treatment, following an injury, or as teeth change through normal wear.

An uneven bite may also be associated with excessive pressure on certain teeth. Patients who clench or grind their teeth may benefit from discussing a night guard with their dentist to help protect teeth from excessive wear.

Occlusal adjustments may also be considered after certain restorative procedures. If a tooth has been damaged or requires additional protection, dental crowns may be part of the restorative treatment plan. For patients with fillings, composite fillings can restore teeth affected by decay or damage, while the bite can be evaluated afterward to ensure the restoration does not create an uncomfortable interference.

During an examination, your dentist can assess your teeth, bite, and overall oral health and determine whether an occlusal adjustment or another treatment approach is appropriate for your individual needs.

An Occlusal Adjustment procedure or bite adjustment is a procedure performed to remove tiny interferences that keep teeth from coming together properly. The imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed is called a malocclusion. These interferences can prevent the jaw from closing in its anatomically correct position. Interferences can occur as teeth develop, after an injury, or accumulate over time with wear.

The following dental treatments can also cause interferences:

Fillings
Crowns
Bridges
Extractions

If you suspect that you may need an occlusal adjustment, schedule an appointment with Reedley Family Dental by calling (559) 637-0123.

Frenectomy in Reedley, CA

A frenectomy (also known as a frenulectomy or frenotomy) is the removal of a frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far. It can refer to frenula in several places on the human body. It is related to frenuloplasty, a surgical alteration in a frenulum. Done mostly for orthodontic purposes, a frenectomy is either performed inside the middle of upper lip, which is called labial frenectomy, or under the tongue, called lingual frenectomy. Frenectomy is a very common dental procedure that is performed on infants, children, and adults. A similar procedure frenulotomy is where a tight frenulum may be relieved by making an incision in the tight tissue.

There are several frenula that are associated with types of frenectomy:

Genital frenectomy can be performed to remove frenulums from genitalia
Lingual frenectomy (of the tongue) as treatment for ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)
Labial frenectomy (of the lip) is very common with patients undergoing denture treatment in order to get the proper fit of dentures or patients who have tissues attached to centre of upper lip and causing recession of gums or gap between the upper front teeth called central incisors.
A frenectomy can also be performed to remove a section of tissue (the frenulum) that attached to the gingival tissue between two teeth.

If you are looking for a frenectomy in Reedley, CA, Reedley Family Dental can evaluate the frenulum and determine whether treatment may be appropriate for your individual needs. A frenectomy may involve the tissue beneath the tongue or the tissue connecting the lip to the gum, depending on the location and the dental concern being evaluated.

A frenectomy may be considered when a tight or prominent frenulum contributes to issues involving tooth spacing, gum tissue, denture fit, or tongue movement. Because every patient is different, a dental examination is important before determining whether a frenectomy is appropriate.

For patients whose treatment involves tooth alignment or spacing, Invisalign may be part of a broader orthodontic treatment plan when appropriate. If a frenectomy is being considered to improve the fit of a removable restoration, dentures may also be discussed as part of the overall treatment plan.

Maintaining healthy gums is also important before and after oral procedures. Regular dental hygiene appointments can help monitor your teeth and gums and support ongoing oral health.

A consultation with Reedley Family Dental can help determine whether frenectomy treatment is appropriate and what options may be available for your specific dental needs.

Bone Grafting in Reedley, CA

If you are looking for bone grafting in Reedley, CA, Reedley Family Dental can evaluate your jawbone and discuss treatment options when bone loss affects your ability to replace missing teeth. When a tooth has been missing for some time, the surrounding jawbone may gradually lose volume. A dental bone graft can help restore or preserve bone in an area where additional support may be needed for future treatment.

Bone grafting is often considered as part of a treatment plan for patients who are planning dental implants. Restoring adequate bone volume may provide a more suitable foundation for implant placement when bone loss has occurred. For patients replacing multiple or all missing teeth, dentures may also be considered depending on their individual needs.

Bone grafting may also be performed in connection with tooth extractions when preserving the shape and volume of the jawbone is part of the overall treatment plan. Our dental team can evaluate your oral health, discuss the available options, and explain whether bone grafting may be appropriate for your situation.

If you are considering tooth replacement in Reedley, CA, a consultation can help you understand how bone health may affect your treatment options.

The main function of a bone graft is that, over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for the placement of dental implants or for properly fitting dentures.

A bone graft is a procedure that replaces missing bone with material from the patient’s own body or an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. The graft not only replaces missing bone, but it can also preserve, and in some cases, reverse bone loss. Over time, this new growth then strengthens the area by forming a bridge between your existing bone and the grafted material.

Bone grafts and implants give patients the opportunity to replace missing teeth, to gain back their confidence and restore esthetic appearance and functionality.

Antibiotic Treatment for Gum Disease in Reedley, CA

ARESTIN^® (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, 1mg is indicated as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. ARESTIN^® may be used as part of a periodontal maintenance program, which includes good oral hygiene and SRP.

Arestin® is a bioresorbable gel containing minocycline (a tetracycline derivative) microspheres. It has been FDA approved for treatment of gum disease after a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing

If you are looking for antibiotic treatment for gum disease in Reedley, CA, Reedley Family Dental can evaluate your gums and determine whether an antimicrobial treatment may be appropriate as part of your periodontal care. Antibiotic treatment is not a substitute for professional dental cleaning; when appropriate, it may be used as an adjunct to procedures such as scaling and root planing to help manage periodontal infection.

Treatment for gum disease typically begins with a thorough examination of the teeth and gums. Regular dental hygiene and cleanings can help monitor gum health and identify signs of inflammation or periodontal problems. For patients who require more advanced periodontal care, scaling and root planing may be recommended to clean areas below the gumline.

Arestin® may be used in appropriate cases as part of a periodontal treatment plan. Your dentist will evaluate the condition of your gums and determine whether this type of localized antibiotic therapy is suitable for your individual needs.

Maintaining good daily oral hygiene after periodontal treatment is also important. Your dental team can provide personalized guidance on brushing, flossing, and ongoing periodontal maintenance.

At Reedley Family Dental, our dental care doesn’t stop once you leave the office. It continues until you are 100% satisfied. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our office in Reedley, CA. Our dental professionals are here and happy to help with any questions you may have.

Scaling and Root Planing in Reedley, CA

You visit the dentist every six months for your dental check-up and professional cleaning, then one visit the dentist tells you that you have gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. Plaque bacteria, acids and certain foods all contribute to the development of gum disease. Fortunately, two common methods exist to reverse the disease — dental scaling and root planing.

Dental scaling occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments or both. The dentist will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. The ultrasonic scaling device removes tartar (calculus), plaque and biofilm from the tooth surface and underneath the gum line. A manual instrument may be used next to remove the remainder.

Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. The dentist scales the root surface to smooth out rough target areas, eliminating plaque and biofilm development.

How Will It Feel?

If your gum tissue is sensitive and diseased, local anesthesia can be administered to numb the tissue. If your teeth are sensitive before or after the professional cleaning, it may be recommended that you use a desensitizing paste to provide you with sensitivity relief. Dental scaling and root planing may take two to four visits based upon the level of oral disease in the mouth. If you have periodontal disease, dental scaling and root planing will be completed first and then periodontal surgery will be conducted thereafter.

If you are looking for scaling and root planing in Reedley, CA, Reedley Family Dental can evaluate your teeth and gums to determine whether periodontal deep cleaning may be appropriate for your oral health needs. Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical periodontal treatment designed to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline and clean the tooth root surfaces.

Regular dental care is important for monitoring gum health and preventing periodontal problems from progressing. Our dental hygiene and cleanings can help maintain your oral health and allow your dental team to monitor changes in your gums over time.

For patients with signs of periodontal infection, additional periodontal treatment may sometimes be recommended. Antibiotic treatment may be used as an adjunct to periodontal therapy when clinically appropriate.

Following periodontal treatment, maintaining good daily brushing and flossing habits and attending recommended follow-up visits can help support healthier gums. Your dentist can develop a personalized periodontal care plan based on the condition of your teeth and gums.

If you think you may have gum disease, scaling & root planing may just be what you need. Please call Reedley Family Dental at (559) 637-0123 to book a consultation.