Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  After reviewing your medical and dental history, Dr. Kwok will perform a comprehensive periodontal examination and evaluation. He will exam your head, neck, and jaw, and will check for signs of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. He will also examine your mouth, throat, teeth, and gums. We may take dental x-rays if we are unable to obtain recent ones from your general dentist to determine if you are suffering from any bone loss as a result of periodontal disease.
• X-rays

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Gingivitis can be prevented by practicing proper oral hygiene. This means brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, or more if instructed by your periodontist. Regular professional teeth cleanings and bi-annual visits to the dentist are also essential for keeping your gums and teeth healthy.

Restorative

• Fillings
• Veneers
  Initial healing times can vary from one to four days, depending on the extent of the procedure. Complete healing from functional crown lengthening can differ from person to person, varying from four weeks to eight months, at which point the dental restoration can be completed. For esthetic crown lengthening, it may take up to six months before any permanent crowns or veneers may be permanently cemented.
• Crowns
  Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that involves surgically recontouring your gum tissue and supporting bones to improve both the appearance and the condition of your smile. This can either be done on its own, or in conjunction with additional restorative treatment.
• Bridges
  When a fixed bridge is placed, the bone under the pontic, or middle portion of the bridge where the tooth has been lost has a tendency to sink and can affect the overall facial structure. Guided tissue regeneration can be used to repair the esthetics of the bone under the bridge, adding support for the facial structures to remain in attractive form.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Dr. Kennie Kwok grew up in Los Angeles and attended University of California, San Diego, where he earned a dual degree in Bio engineering (ABET) and Biochemistry. He furthered his education at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where he obtained his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Deciding to further hone his general dental skills, he continued his dental education as a General Practice Resident at NYU Lutheran Medical Center. Aside from learning how to perform third molar extractions, molar endodontics, and treating medically compromised patients as a General Practice resident, Dr. Kwok developed a profound interest in periodontology. Therefore he decided to commit another three years to pursue his Certificate in Periodontology at NYU Lutheran Medical Center where he served as Chief Resident.

Periodontics

• Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
  Gingivectomy in San Diego – When gum disease has advanced, diseased tissue has to be removed. A gingivectomy is similar to the gingivoplasty, but the gingivectomy involves the removal of dead or diseased gum tissue instead of healthy tissue. In many cases, the gingivectomy is performed in combination with scaling and root planing.
• Periodontal Surgery
  LANAP periodontal surgery is a full mouth procedure usually completed in two 2-hour visits. We complete one side of the mouth during the first visit, and complete the other side on the second visit. Surgeries are usually scheduled within one week of one another. It is common to quickly return to work or other activities.
• Deep Cleaning
  The goal of this deep cleaning process is to clear away plaque and tartar as well as smooth the surfaces of the teeth to encourage the gum tissues to reattach to the teeth.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  This is because the missing teeth roots cause the jaw to deteriorate, and as it does, the dentures lose their tight fit. This causes both physical and social discomfort.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a holds a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
• Gum Surgery
  The LANAP® protocol is a minimally invasive laser-based treatment for gum disease or periodontitis. While traditional gum surgeries work by cutting away infected tissue with a scalpel, LANAP treatment utilizes laser technology to vaporize bacteria in a minimally painful manner.
• Osseous Surgery
  If you do not take proper care of your teeth, over time you may develop periodontal disease. If your periodontist finds gum disease and periodontal pockets, then it is essential to undergo a pocket reduction surgery to keep your teeth and gums healthy. The best procedure is the Osseous surgery, which is an effective pocket reduction surgery method.
• Tooth Extractions
  Deciding to further hone his general dental skills, he continued his dental education as a General Practice Resident at NYU Lutheran Medical Center. Aside from learning how to perform wisdom tooth extractions and treating medically compromised patients as a GPR resident, Dr. Kwok developed a profound interest in periodontology, leading him to commit another three years to pursue a Certificate in Periodontology at NYU Lutheran Medical Center where he served as Chief Resident.
• Ridge Augmentation
  Ridge augmentation is a surgical procedure that aims to restore the natural contour of your gums and jawbone. It involves grafting bone or tissue onto the affected area to rebuild the ridge, which is the bony structure that supports your teeth. The procedure can be done using various materials, including your own bone, donor bone, or synthetic materials.
• Bone Grafting
  In one form of the sinus lift procedure, the external sinus lift, a small opening is created laterally in the bone to access the sinus cavity to gently lift the sinus. This procedure helps to encourage natural bone growth to fill the space created, but a bone grafting material is often placed beneath the newly raised sinus cavity along the existing bone. This grafting material will essentially hold the space until your body is ready to create new bone in the area.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Vigorous toothbrushing combined with the use of a medium or hard bristled toothbrush may physically wear down the gums and cause recession. Even the improper use of an electric toothbrush can cause recession. If gum recession is common in the family, genetics can play a role as to whether you are more prone to receding gums to start with. Not having adequate strong and attached gum tissue around your teeth can also contribute to gum recession. Trauma or any constant tooth movements, such as from constant clenching or grinding of your teeth, can cause recession. Even orthodontics can cause recession if the tooth is moved out of the bony tooth housing or combined with any of these factors. The same is true if your teeth are misaligned or if your tooth is situated out of the bony housing. Gum disease can cause the surrounding bone to wear away, resulting in gum recession. Other factors include lip and tongue piercings, smoking, and the use of any tobacco products.
• Braces
  The best treatment for a gummy smile depends on the cause. For example, cosmetic fillers may be able to correct a thin upper lip, and braces might fix a gummy smile caused by an orthodontic issue. For excess or swollen gum tissue, gummy smile treatments differ as well, and the right one depends mainly on the health of the gum tissue and the severity of the condition.