Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.
• X-rays
  Routine dental x-rays – X-rays can be effectively used to screen for bone loss in the upper and lower jaw, and the dentist can provide interventions for preventing and treating periodontal disease. It is believed that minimizing periodontal disease will help treat osteoporosis.
• Oral Cancer Screening
  During bi-annual check-ups, the dentist and hygienist will thoroughly look for changes and lesions in the mouth, but a dedicated comprehensive oral cancer screening should be performed at least once each year.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings ( periodontal cleanings ), usually four times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.
• Fluoride Treatment
  Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.
• Dental Sealants

Restorative

• Crowns
  Crown lengthening is generally performed in order to improve the health of the gum tissue, or to prepare the mouth for restorative or cosmetic procedures. In addition, crown lengthening procedures can also be used to correct a “gummy” smile, where teeth are covered with excess gum tissue. Crown lengthening exposes more of the natural tooth by reshaping or recontouring bone and gum tissue. This treatment can be performed on a single tooth, many teeth or the entire gum line, to expose a pleasant, aesthetically pleasing smile.
• Bridges
  The treatment procedure and number of visits is largely dependent on the specific conditions. But all in all, 8-10 visits should be enough to have a fixed bridge installed. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated.

Periodontics

• Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
  Gingivoplasty (soft tissue recontouring) – As gums recede due to periodontitis, the teeth may appear longer; causing a “toothy" smile. The periodontist can remove tissues or straighten the gum line to make the teeth look more even.
• Periodontal Surgery
  If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone).
• Deep Cleaning
  Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which leads to severe inflammation and tooth loss if left untreated. Antibiotic treatments can be used in combination with scaling and root planning, curettage, surgery or as a stand-alone treatment to help reduce bacteria before and/or after many common periodontal procedures.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  This alternative is often perceived as uncomfortable and a bit complicated to use. Function can’t be compared to that of a bridge. This denture is made of plastic and metal, which affects its look. It is quite expensive to fabricate due to its many parts. However, the installation process is simple, and natural teeth are spared.
• Overdentures
  An alternative to a fixed bridge is a removable overdenture, which is anchored on implants. The old fashioned denture has many disadvantages and should be avoided if possible.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  A periodontist is a dentist specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections and diseases in the soft tissues surrounding the teeth, and the jawbone to which the teeth are anchored. Periodontists have to train an additional three years beyond the four years of regular dental school, and are familiar with the most advanced techniques necessary to treat periodontal disease and place dental implants. Periodontists also perform a vast range of cosmetic procedures to enhance the smile to its fullest extent.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  David A. Gelb, DDS completed his DDS and Certificate in Periodontics at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York and his implant surgical training at the University of Toronto. He is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Periodontology, a Fellow Academy of Osseointegration, and a Fellow American and International college of Dentists. He is on staff at Hartford Hospital and has provided implant services in West Hartford for over twenty-five years.
• Flap Surgery
  Pocket elimination surgery – Pocket elimination surgery (also known as flap surgery) is a surgical treatment which can be performed to reduce the pocket size between the teeth and gums. Surgery on the jawbone is another option which serves to eliminate indentations in the bone which foster the colonization of bacteria.
• Gum Surgery
  Your healthy smile is our top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve. Dr. Gelb utilizes the latest technology in Dental Implants to replace single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth or all missing teeth. You can arrive at our office with missing teeth and leave the same day with a beautiful smile. Dr. Gelb has been placing Dental Implants since 1983 and has successfully place over 12,000 Dental Implants. We also offer a full spectrum of Periodontal procedures such as; bone grafting, crown lengthening, gum surgery and teeth cleanings.
• Osseous Surgery
  Pocket reduction surgery (also known as gingivectomy, osseous surgery and flap surgery) is a collective term for a series of several different surgeries aimed at gaining access to the roots of the teeth in order to remove bacteria and tartar (calculus).
• Tooth Extractions
  Tooth Extraction – Studies have shown that patients who have experienced a tooth extraction subsequently lose 40-60% of the bone surrounding the extraction site during the following three years. Loss of bone results in what is called a “bone defect”.
• Ridge Augmentation
  Ridge augmentation – This procedure, often called “recontouring” may be required to correct an uneven gum line. Before embarking on treatment, a periodontist needs to treat any bacterial infections and periodontitis.
• Bone Grafting
  Autogenous bone graft – In this type of graft the bone is removed from elsewhere in the body and implanted in the mouth. Common donor sites for bone grafting include the iliac section of the pelvis, the chin and the posterior third molar areas of the jaw. If large amounts of bone need to be harvested, the hip or the shin bone (tibia) is generally used.

General

• Cosmetic Dentistry
  West Hartford Dentist, Dr. David Gelb is a professional dedicated to Excellence in General, Family, & Cosmetic Dentistry such as Cleanings & Prevention, Restorations, Periodontal Disease, Dental Implants & many other dental procedures. Please come and visit West Hartford Dentist, Dr. David Gelb.