A healthy and Beautiful Smile with Periodontal Gum Therapy In Jupiter, FL
Our State Of The Art Office Is Only A Few Miles From Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, And All Of Palm Beach County.
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal disease is most commonly known as gum disease. That is the extent of the common knowledge shared by your fellow Americans. That is because almost 50% of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease in the United States. This is because of a number of reasons. Let’s identify the causes of periodontal disease first, then the periodontal treatments that are necessary to arrest the disease and the problems moving forward if action is not taken. We also look at preventive measures that you need to participate in every day at home.
The Typical Causes Of Periodontal Disease
Gum disease is not painful. This is the first and foremost reason why so many adults have some form of gum disease. At any given time you will have millions of bacteria in your mouth. Some of the bacteria is beneficial to your health, but some is harmful. Within 24 hours, if left unattended, bacteria will form a sticky substance that adheres to your teeth. This substance becomes plaque. If left even longer the plaque hardens into tartar. All the while it is harboring bacteria. As the mineralized tartar works its way down your teeth it gets under your gums and begins to pump out toxins into the soft tissue. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Periodontal treatment now can have immediate positive results. This inflammation of your gums is now a chronic disease. The first sign to watch for is swollen gums, bleeding gums and gums that have changed to a darker color. While this is happening the bacteria is assaulting the teeth and dissolving the bone. The number one cause for tooth loss is gum disease. Your bone is dissolving and you have yet to feel any discomfort. You can lose 50% of a tooth before it becomes loose and you feel any pain. Now you can see how this is a sneaky disease!
Award Winning
Dentistry at Ritter + Ramsey
Our Doctors are known nationally for their knowledge of practice materials and techniques. Ritter and Ramsey have provided industry insights and research to some of the top dental manufactures worldwide. Together, they lecture both nationally and internationally in excess of 50 times per year.
Periodontal Treatments
Perio means around and dontal refers to your teeth. The proper periodontal treatment begins with a visit to see Dr. Ritter and Ramsey. They will assess the extent of the gum disease and take the proper measures to stop its progress. Their very first step will be to measure the collar of gum around each tooth. This small crevice usually measures around 2 to 3 millimeters deep. If it exceeds that the disease is present. Digital x-rays will be vital in examining any bone loss that may have occurred. At this point they can determine the extent of the gum disease. A personalized periodontal treatment plan will be developed with you. If there is no bone loss only a few visits with our oral hygiene team will correct the gum disease advancement. A deep cleaning of the teeth is first on the list. Depending on the amount of tartar found, your gums may have to be anesthetized such that deep scaling of the roots can both remove the tartar and make the tooth smooth again to make it more difficult for plaque to adhere to the tooth’s surface. Drs. Ritter and Ramsey will use ultrasonic instruments to properly administer the periodontal treatment. If the gum disease has advanced beyond this stage it may require surgical treatments to try and correct the bone loss. This may be done with both bone and tissue grafting. Antibiotics may be prescribed to combat the level of disease.
Mouth, Gums And Body Connection
Imagine a two inch square open wound on your arm. Wouldn’t that be somewhat alarming? An open sore that can attract unwanted elements. If you have gum disease and add up the amount of inflamed and infected tissue it equals this two inch square. The first thing that happens is you lose teeth. With the build-up of bacterial research has proven a direct link between gum disease and other conditions in your body such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and various types of cancer. By allowing the periodontal disease to advance you have opened a direct pathway into the bloodstream for toxic oral bacteria. All of this can be prevented with simple oral hygiene at home and professional periodontal treatment.
Preventive Measures To Avoid Periodontal Disease
No one is exempt from good oral hygiene. Drs. Ritter and Ramsey and their team will give you simple directions to take care of your teeth and gums. Brushing twice a day is imperative. Bacteria and plaque can form in literally hours. If you have a beginning stage of gum disease they might encourage you to use an electric toothbrush in moving forward to avoid extensive periodontal treatment. This addition does a better job in removing plaque on the gum line. They will also advise you to floss at least once a day to remove the plaque from between your teeth. Gum disease can be controlled but never cured. They will suggest you make at least two visits a year to have oral exams and professional teeth cleaning. X-rays at least once a year will look at what is going on below the surface. Depending on the extent of your gum disease they may strongly suggest you visit them more often. They may also even discuss your eating and drinking habits. If you love soda and candy that may have to be addressed. If you smoke or are a heavy user of alcohol the plan may need to be altered. Genetics and your stress level can play into the possibilities of gum disease and the rapid advancement. Different medications and hormonal changes can affect what is going on with the bacteria in your mouth.
Preventive Dentistry Is The Best Dentistry
As we mentioned above, no one is exempt from the potential of gum disease. By simply creating good habits at home you can control the possibility of experiencing periodontal disease. It is also very important to make Drs. Ritter and Ramsey part of your annual oral hygiene program. With good preventive practices by yourself you will find the visits to the dental office far more pleasant to avoid periodontal treatment. Take care of your teeth and gums. We haven’t even mentioned the value of your smile in regards to your body, your mental health and your self-esteem.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DENTISTRY SINCE 1994
Traditionally, hours of hand labor in a dental laboratory are invested in these precise products. With the adoption of more technology into dentistry, digital imaging continues to grow in importance. Most restorations begin with a mold of your mouth that involves messy impression materials. With the Itero Digital Scanner, you can say goodbye to the mess. Itero eliminates this step, replacing it with simple digital images captured with a handheld wand. The images quickly appear on a computer monitor as 3-D models of your teeth.
Expert Tooth Restoration Using Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain dental crowns are used to restore dental implants, to secure dental bridges, restore and help repair broken or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be performed in one visit. The goal with dental crowns is to create a natural looking smile. These types of crowns can add the strength and durability to any tooth with any needed repair. Aesthetically, dental crowns are used to cover a discolored tooth and even narrow the gaps between largely separated teeth.
The Finest Porcelain Veneers for a New Smile
At Ritter & Ramsey, watching patients discover a brilliant new smile is the highlight of our days. Porcelain veneers can transform a smile dramatically. A beautiful new set of porcelain veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth, or help teeth that seem rotated appear straight. While it sounds dramatic, only the stunning visual outcome is surprising. Porcelain veneers provide a highly conservative approach to aesthetic smile makeovers.
Meet Our Internationally Recognized Cosmetic Dentists
Our doctors have more than 40 years of combined experience diagnosing and treating dental health issues. Patients trust our team to perform top quality work and send you home from your appointments with a gleaming smile. Get to know our doctors below and be sure to meet our wonderful, hard-working staff as well.
Dr. Robert Ritter
Dr. Robert Ritter grew up in Palm Beach prior to attending Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Practicing since 1994 and logging more than 200 hours of continuing education per year, Dr. Ritter is an extremely proficient doctor of restorative dentistry.
Dr. Christopher Ramsey
Dr. Christopher Ramsey was raised in Jupiter and achieved his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia. Dr. Ramsey is on the editorial review board for two dentistry journals and stays on the cutting edge of cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Dr. Isabelle Ritter
Dr. Isabelle Ritter graduated from Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in 1994. Dr. Ritter provides tailored, mercury-free dental care for your young children and teens. She enjoys providing young people with healthy habits and gleaming smiles.