Services

Pinhole Surgical Technique®

Dr. Bauman was the first to bring this new alternative grafting procedure to Kentucky which was invented and patented by Dr. John Chao of California.

Pinhole gum rejuvenation is a new advanced dental treatment designed to correct receding gums using the Pinhole Surgical Technique™. This minimally invasive procedure does not require an incision or sutures, and given the right indication, may provide an alternative to a traditional gum grafting surgery. Using a small pinhole for access, specially designed instruments gently lift the gum tissue to cover the recessed area. Post operative signs/symptoms (swelling, bleeding or discomfort) are minimal as compared with traditional gum grafting procedures.

Greater tooth exposure can result in more sensitivity to hot and cold and left untreated can result in further problems. Gum recession can therefore be both a cosmetic and a medical concern.

Traditional gum grafting techniques currently require that tissue be removed from the roof of the mouth or obtained from a tissue bank. This tissue is then placed in the receded area of the gum in order to add more gum tissue to help prevent further recession and to help cover the exposed root as best as possible.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique(PST) is a great alternative to traditional grafting if given the right indication.

View Before & After photos »

Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance refers to on-going treatment and prevention of gum disease and bone and tissue loss. Maintenance is often recommended for patients who have shown increased susceptibility to periodontal disease or have moderate to severe gum disease in their histories. Periodontal maintenance includes regular visits to your periodontist to more closely monitor your gum health and prevent future problems or complications. If plaque is not regularly cleaned, it hardens, forming calculus deposits on your teeth. Even patients who follow the strictest oral hygiene routine will naturally develop some deposits. Proper brushing and flossing help minimize such formations. Regular professional maintenance and cleaning are necessary to remove formed deposits. During you regular check-ups, the hygienists will remove deposits and clean your teeth while checking for signs of any additional problems.
Your periodontist will recommend how often you should schedule periodontal maintenance based on the state or your oral health and your dental history.

Periodontal Plastic Surgery

This topic encompasses Aesthetic Crown Lengthening and Gum Grafting. Please refer to this particular category of interest.

Recession Treatment

Gum recession occurs when the margin of gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing the root of the teeth. Gum recession is often one of the first signs of periodontal disease, although it may be caused by other factors including genetics, tooth movement, parafunctional activities, overly aggressive tooth brushing, dry mouth, hormonal changes or use of tobacco products. Recession treatments for gum disease will depend on the extent of the condition.

For more information please refer to Gum Grafting Procedures »

Ridge Augmentation

After a tooth is extracted, the jawbone where the tooth was, will begin to resorb, or recede, over time. The height and width of the socket where the tooth was will begin to shrink and may form an indentation in the gums or jawbone. Ridge augmentation is performed to recreate the natural contour of the gums or jawbone While the procedure is not usually medically necessary, it may be necessary if pursuing dental implants or for aesthetic purposes.

The Procedure

There are two forms of Ridge Augmentation: soft tissue and hard tissue. Your doctor will determine which type is best for your unique case.

Soft tissue ridge augmentations are usually performed to increase the aesthetics and the ability to cleanse the area. Before the procedure begins, you will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Incisions are made to expose the site and a soft tissue graft is then placed. The soft tissue graft may be obtained from the patient’s palate or may be obtained from a tissue bank. The graft is then secured in place using stitches.

Hard tissue ridge augmentation is performed to recreate adequate bone, usually before a dental implant is placed. As with soft tissue ridge augmentation, you will first be numbed with a local anesthetic and incisions will be made to expose the area receiving the graft. A bone graft is then placed. The bone graft may be obtained from the patient’s body, a tissue bank, or synthetic bone material. The bone graft is then placed and secured, the area is stitched closed.

Healing time varies by patient and the size of the area repaired but usually lasts no longer than 6 to 8 months.

Ridge Preservation

Ridge preservation is a dental surgery designed to stimulate bone growth in an empty tooth socket following tooth extraction, before a dental implant is placed.

The Procedure

Once an extraction has been performed, an empty socket remains in the alveolar ridge of the jaw, the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. As a result of the extraction, nearby bone can weaken and wear away. The empty tooth sockets can then be filled with regenerative bone grafting material. This graft may be created from the patient’s own tissue or from a tissue bank. The bone grafting material is designed to promote and re grow bone in the socket. Next, a special membrane will be sutured in place to protect the area.

After the socket area has healed, which would take 4 to 6 months, a dental implant can be placed. Ridge preservation prevents the area from collapsing and helps create sufficient bone height to support dental implants.

The Benefits

Ridge preservation prevents loss of bone following a tooth extraction. Leaving the socket empty after an extraction may lead to significant bone loss in this area following extraction thus preventing the placement of a dental implant. Performing bone grafting procedures later can be invasive and more costly. Ridge preservation will usually prevent this issue later.

Once the necessary teeth have been extracted, incisions are made in the gum line to create a flap. The empty tooth sockets can then be filled with regenerative bone grafting material. This graft may be created from the patient’s own tissue, from a tissue bank, or made of synthetic material. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the tooth socket and sutured closed. After the socket area has healed, which takes approximately 4 to 6 months, the alveolar ridge is prepared for the placement of a dental implant.