Procedures

D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C.'s Goal

It is the goal of the periodontists at D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C. to deliver outstanding periodontal treatment and care. We aim to deliver high quality treatment and patient services in a secure, safe, and friendly environment. D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., located in Midtown Manhattan, uses only the latest advances in periodontal treatment and Implantology services to treat patients; all of the periodontal treatments and procedures, our instruments, and the medications we rely on are based on leading edge medical research and advancements. We also provide extraordinary attention to the sterilization of our equipment to ensure the safety and well being of all of our patients.

What is a periodontist? At D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., a periodontist is a professional, trained, and certified doctor, not only specializing in the treatment of the gums and the prevention of gum disease, but we are people who care about our patient’s health, happiness, and comfort.

The Importance of Patient Comfort

We at D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., understand that patient comfort is extremely important. We make every effort to ensure the maximum comfort of our patients and do everything we can to diminish potential discomforts. We are staffed with the best periodontists and dental health care professionals in the industry, and the majority of our patients have a pain free experience while visiting our office. Seemingly miraculous, our patients often wonder how we offer periodontal treatment and gum care with little to no discomfort. Since D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., are a team of New York periodontists and dental health care professionals relying on the latest dental technologies and advancements, we can maximize the comfort level of all of our patients.

How Do Periodontists Ensure Patient Comfort?

At D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., in Manhattan, New York, our Periodontists use a variety of techniques to maximize patient comfort.

Pre-Medication

• Our New York periodontists understand the individualized needs of every patient. With unique medications for pain control, our periodontists will determine what pain control medications are needed and appropriate for each individual. Various procedures will clearly require different medications, but we have trained periodontists that know what pre-medications are perfectly appropriate for pain control before treatment as well as what pain medication is needed after treatment.

Injections of Anesthesia in Periodontal Patients

• At D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., we understand the patient’s anxiety associated with injections and the use of dental anesthesia. As professional New York periodontists we take every measure to carefully implement necessary injections so that our patients feel little to no pain; we take our time performing injections ensuring the most comfortable experience possible. We also educate our patients along the way about the procedures we are performing so that the patient experiences less anxiety before and during periodontal treatment and procedures.

Conscious Sedation in Periodontal Patients

At D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., we understand that some patients are simply more comfortable with the idea of conscious sedation. To that end, our periodontists are qualified and trained in using Nitrous Oxide, a completely odorless gas that relaxes our patients and makes them more comfortable while we perform periodontal treatment and care. The patient that receives Nitrous Oxide is completely conscious and aware, but the awareness of the environment is diminished. Anxiety is eliminated as the patient becomes calm enough to comfortably endure dental and periodontal procedures. The true benefit derived from the use Nitrous Oxide is that the patient does not face the risks associated with the use of general anesthesia. Thus, periodontal treatment becomes far safer and more comfortable for the patient in our care.

Basic Periodontal Treatment

Since periodontal disease is an infection that gets inside and underneath one’s gums, it also affects one’s bones surrounding the teeth and the teeth as well. A periodontist works at removing the infection in such areas so that the infected areas are given an opportunity to properly heal.

Periodontists offer Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Scaling and Root Planing

• Scaling and Root Planing is a technique that improves the area of the gums that are prone to periodontal infection. A periodontist implements deep cleaning methods which help to rid an individual of plaque build-up as well as calculus and tartar from the crown of the tooth to the root of the tooth.

Pharmacotherapeutics

• There are instances where a periodontist will offer you antibiotics, via direct application in the site of infection or orally to help in fending off the periodontal infection. Such techniques can increase the effectiveness of the periodontal treatment, especially in areas where an individual is experiencing severe periodontal infection.

Periodontists offer Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Pocket Elimination / Reduction

• Periodontists are trained in the techniques needed to reduce pocket depth as well as in ridding the individual’s mouth of existing bacteria. By eliminating existing bacteria, a periodontist helps to prevent further damage that may be caused by periodontal disease progression. A periodontist, in essence, helps maintain the longevity of one’s teeth and healthy smile. In this procedure, the patient’s gums are folded back so the bacteria can be removed successfully. In addition to the removal of harmful bacteria, the periodontist will smooth out areas that are irregularly shaped or surfaced so that the potential for the return of bacteria is minimized. The patient will be made completely comfortable during treatment.

Crown Lengthening

• Crown lengthening improves what is referred to as a “gummy smile.” If an individual requires a crown but the surface of the tooth exposed is not long enough, crown lengthening is required in order to make it possible for the crown to be placed appropriately. A periodontist is capable of performing a crown lengthening procedure so that the overall crown application is more secure and the patient suffers minimum irritation after crown application. The additional benefit derived from crown lengthening is that the patient also gets longer looking teeth, and the teeth get a more even appearance.
• A periodontist gives patients local anesthetics in order to freely and gently remove bone tissue and excess gum tissue in a crown lengthening procedure so that the patient’s natural teeth are exposed in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

Before Crown Lengthening		After Crown Lengthening

Root Coverage Techniques

• A periodontist is trained in root coverage techniques which treat sensitivity issues and improve aesthetics in patients. Opposite to the gummy smile effect, one can have issues when the teeth are too long in appearance. Exposed teeth not only appear unsightly, but the teeth are more prone to hot and cold sensitivity. A periodontist can place gum tissue in the areas to cover over exposed areas of teeth thereby improving one’s appearance as well as minimizing issues with sensitivity.
• Root coverage techniques are used to successfully treat issues with gum recession and an immediate aesthetic improvement can be noted.
• During root coverage procedures, a periodontist will provide the patient with a local anesthetic. The procedure is gently performed as gum tissue is added in a process known as gum grafting.

Gum recession treatment video

Connective Tissue Graft

Before Gum Grafts		After Gum Grafts
Before Gum Grafts		After Gum Grafts
Before Gum Grafts		After Gum Grafts

Bone Grafting

Periodontally Diseased Teeth and Regenerative Techniques

• A periodontist is trained to improve the jaw bone if it is necessary. The jaw bone supports teeth and gums and a healthy jaw bone ensures that one will be able to keep their natural teeth for a very long time to come. Periodontal disease also affects the jaw bone and can cause the bone to shrink or take on a depressed appearance in various areas. Through a process known as bone grafting this issue can be remedied.
• Bone grafting is a procedure that requires that a periodontist use a local anesthetic. The periodontist will then open the area of the mouth directly over the section of jaw bone which requires bone grafting. The procedure is conducted in the gentlest fashion possible in a comfortable and secure environment.

Before Bone Grafts		After Bone Grafts

Ridge Augmentation / Bone Regenerative Procedures

Periodontists utilize ridge augmentation and bone regenerative procedures in order to create future dental implant sites. After an extraction, there are sometimes sunken areas that appear in the patient’s gum line. Bone grafting material is utilized as an insertion to fill in these naturally forming gaps. This procedure ensures that bridge work and other appliances fit properly and look attractive.

As with other procedures, the periodontist delivers to the patient a local anesthetic, opens the area that requires ridge augmentation, and fills it with the appropriate bone grafting material.

Before Ridge Augmentation		After Ridge Augmentation

Ridge Augmentation at the Time of Extraction		Ridge Augmentation AFTER Tooth Has Been Missing

Sinus Augmentation Techniques

A periodontist is skilled in sinus augmentation: a process which is necessary in order to prepare a patient for future implant placement. Sinus Augmentation involves the act of raising the sinus floor so that there is more room available for dental implants. This may be necessary in the area where the back teeth are located due to a lack of bone quantity and/or quality necessary for implants. Such bone is situated very close to the sinus area, hence, the need for sinus augmentation.

Sinus graft video

Hygiene Education and Personalized Maintenance

Educational material and information is provided to patients by the periodontist to improve brushing techniques, and to express the importance of brushing frequently, as well as flossing. With proper brushing and hygiene, periodontal disease can be prevented or at least limited. The key to quality care is prevention. A periodontist will keep an eye on the patient, will teach the patient appropriate care techniques, and will design a customized schedule for the patient and his or her needs.

Dental Implants and Implant Dentistry

Dental Implants allow for patients to restore their smiles. Please view our complete and comprehensive page on Implant Dentistry.

Therapy for Smoking Cessation

Smoking is clearly bad for you. It is the cause of many diseases and it is responsible for some cases of periodontal disease as well as the severity of the disease. With a powerful affect on one’s immune system and one’s ability to heal as well as fight infection, part of the treatment that a periodontist will provide is the counsel and therapy needed to quit smoking.

A periodontist will provide you with information about cessation programs, and aides that will help you quit smoking, improve your health, and reduce your risks for getting gum disease.

Oral Cancer Screening

When you visit D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., you will receive a complete evaluation. Included in that evaluation, our patients are assessed for oral health issues and they also receive oral cancer screening. Also performed at regular intervals, our periodontists will continue to monitor our patients for the signs associated with oral cancer. We check your head, neck area, and inside your mouth for any signs indicative of pathology.

You can have peace of mind knowing that you are being screened for oral cancer and the exam performed by our periodontists is completely painless.

For complete information on Oral Cancer Screening, review the following video created by the American Dental Association.

At D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C., every procedure performed by our periodontists is done with great care and your comfort in mind. Our periodontists join forces with your preselected general dentist so that you get the ultimate dental treatment possible. Serving patients in Midtown Manhattan, NY, Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, and the Outer Boroughs, we are ready to help you achieve your goal of excellent health. Any questions you may have are readily addressed and we are prepared to make you comfortable as well as keep you informed.