Oral hygiene is an important component of achieving and maintaining oral health around your natural teeth and Dental Implants. Our office will customize an oral hygiene program for you including the oral hygiene aids you need.

Scaling and Root Planning is often the most important treatment to achieve and maintain periodontal stability. The procedure removes the plaque and calculus (tartar); the primary cause of periodontal disease. For some patients with more extensive sub-gingival (under the gum line) deposits, the treatment may take longer and in some cases may require local anesthetic. Side effects are typically minimal and may consist of some thermal sensitivity for a short time.

Antibiotics-Systemic (pills, capsules etc.): The vast majority of patients with Periodontal Disease do NOT require systemic antibiotics. Systemic antibiotics are sometimes suggested for selected cases of advanced Periodontal Disease and patients who do not respond well to conventional periodontal treatments.

Periodontal Maintenance or Supportive Periodontal Care is a critical component of a patient’s overall care. Regardless of the initial periodontal therapy, a good supportive care program is necessary to maintain periodontal health. Our office will often co-ordinate an alternating program with your referring dentist. The interval and length of each appointment will be customized to your individual needs.

Patients may unknowingly clench and or grind their teeth, often while sleeping. This may result in a combination of accelerated tooth wear, tooth loosening, and facial pain. Facial pain can be felt in the jaw joint (TMJ) or in the muscles and tissues around the face and head area (MPDS-Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome). Many patients find their symptoms are reduced or eliminated when an “oral appliance” (i.e. a specifically designed mouth guard) is fabricated and fitted by the dental office.

Many patients have one or more areas of significant gum recession. The cause of these recessions may be due to “thin” gums and over-zealous tooth brushing. These areas are often associated with very thin remaining gum tissue that may be more at risk for further recession. The affected areas may have exposed roots that are very sensitive and may be a cosmetic concern. The Gum Grafting procedure is carried out in the office and often with less local anesthetic than required for a filling. A small amount of tissue is taken from the palate and sutured to the receded area. The palate regenerates completely and sutures are not usually needed.

When a tooth is lost, the underlying bone undergoes a shrinkage process, similar to a muscle shrinking from lack of exercise. This defect may show when smiling, and cause an esthetic concern. Fortunately there are several Ridge Augmentation procedures that can “fill” some defects. This procedure can recreate the natural contours of your gums and create a more pleasing looking smile. These procedures are carried out in the office with local anesthetic.

Guided Tissue Regeneration: These procedures attempt to grow back the previously lost gum and or bone tissue around the natural teeth. Some techniques utilize membranes, which are used to cover the bone defects and under the gums. Some membranes are resorbable and others require removal. Regenerative techniques often include the use of bone grafts or specifically engineered gels. Research is ongoing in an effort to increase the predictability of these techniques and new products are being introduced. These procedures are carried out in the office with local anesthetic. Guided Bone Regeneration: These procedures attempt to grow back the previously lost bone tissue after one or more natural teeth have been lost. Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies is resorbed. This bone would be unsuitable for the support of dental implants. Today, it is often possible to re-grow or regenerate bone where we need it for the support of dental implants. This, in turn, gives us the opportunity to effectively restore esthetics and function to their natural state. Some of these procedures are carried out in the office with local anesthetic. Ridge Preservation: This technique involves the careful management of sockets after tooth extraction with the goals of preventing bone loss and a better outcome for implant placement. This procedure is carried out in the office with local anesthetic.

Creating a great looking smile is in large part dependent on the shape of the gum tissues. In some cases, excess gum tissues need to be reshaped to create a more cosmetically pleasing shape or contour. A similar cosmetic problem can be encountered if one or more teeth are too short. The procedure to correct these cosmetic problems usually is minor and often stitches are not necessary. The procedure can be thought of as a manicure for the gums. There are other situations where there is a need for more gum tissue, that can be addressed with “Gum Grafting” or “Ridge Augmentation” procedures (see above). This procedure is carried out in the office with local anesthetic.

Crown lengthening procedures remove some tissue to expose more of the ‘crown’ of your tooth. There are several situations where crown lengthening is necessary. The most common is when there is decay or a fracture that is too far below the gum. The crown lengthening will expose the decay or crack to allow the new crown to properly extend over the area where the decay of fracture occurred. If new crowns or veneers are planned by your dentist, then this procedure sets the stage to allow for a more natural and beautiful smile (see “Cosmetic Contouring” above). This procedure is carried out in the office with local anesthetic.

Periodontal Disease that is more advanced often results in significant amounts of residual sub-gingival (under the gum) plaque and calculus (tartar) deposits. Periodontal Disease will also cause bone resorption and deeper pockets. When non surgical treatment cannot control the disease process, Flap Surgery may be indicated. The procedure is carried out in the office and often with local anesthetic. The gums in the affected area are slightly folded open (like the flap of an envelope). This allows the visibility necessary to remove the visible residual plaque and calculus. As well, the uneven bone contours may be reshaped. Finally the gums are sutured and may be tightened to help reduce the pockets.

Dr. Arlin will contact your restorative dentist to help determine the best Implant System and Design for you. As dentists use a variety of systems, Dr. Arlin has evolved to offer all of the major Implant Systems approved for use by Health and Welfare Canada. These systems include: Astra Tech, Nobel Biocare, Straumann ITI, Zimmer Dental, Implant Innovations-3i, Bio Horizons, and Imtec Mini Implants.

Dr. Arlin will conduct a thorough examination and consultation. All appropriate treatment options, risks, and benefits will be discussed. The office is committed to help our patients have a good understanding of the issues so that they can make an informed consent to treatment.

All Dental Implant procedures are carried out by Dr. Arlin “in office” with local anesthetic. Patients are usually surprised at how easy the treatment is. Patients have the option of Conscious Sedation; and therefore, generally do not need someone to accompany them to the appointment.

Dr. Arlin received his Implant Training in 1985 and has placed over 7,000 implants to date. By documenting and following every implant on a specifically designed Dental Implant Management software system, Dr. Arlin has been able to accurately monitor his results. With good implant candidates, there has been a survival rate of over 95%. Dr. Arlin has been active in teaching Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to the Dental profession for many years.

We use extensive sterilization procedures. All instruments are sterilized and sealed for each individual patient with the Hu Friedy IMS Instrument Management System. This assures the safest and most up to date instrument sterilization and storage system for both staff and patients. We use disposable masks and gloves, and barrier techniques that are changed for every patient. Our equipment is wiped-down with antibacterial solution prior to every treatment procedure. Water lines and evacuation hoses are cleaned with the proper disinfectant. You can be assured that our staff has been trained on sterilization procedures and their importance.

We know that many patients are apprehensive about any anticipated discomfort they may experience with treatment. Our office goes to great lengths to minimize and if possible eliminate any patient discomfort.

Some patients have different needs for pain-control medication. Depending upon the procedure and your wishes, there are many medications we can prescribe.

Our office is equipped with electronic insurance submission capability. This provides the convenience and efficiency to allow our patients to receive the insurance reimbursement they are entitled to. Our office staff is trained to help you with the processing of your insurance estimates and claims.