Periodontal Exam in Louisville, KY & New Albany, IN
A periodontal examination is a dental examination of the periodontium, or your gums. It is always done during your regularly scheduled checkups every six months. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) established the periodontal exam and recommended that all adults undergo at least one exam on an annual basis. A Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation, simply defined, is a method to assess your periodontal health by examining several key areas including your gums and teeth, the plaque, your bite alignment, the supporting bone structure, and your personal risk factors.
Are You a Candidate for a Periodontal Exam?
The AAP’s recommendation for consistent periodontal exams stems from two emerging and diverging realities. The first reality is that we have reached a point, due to the advancements in dental technology, where most patients can retain their natural teeth over their lifetime with the proper consistent treatment, responsible plaque control, and continuing preventative care. The second reality is that most patients are not exercising those simple basic measures, and the frequency of periodontal disease, at a time when it should be disappearing in our society, is instead growing at an alarming rate.
By assessing your oral health on a regular basis, both you and PerioImplant Associates will be able establish a baseline to assess just how healthy your mouth is and, in turn, have a better understanding to notice changes or changes, such as gum disease, which will require treatment.
There is also new quantifiable research data that is showing a link strengthening between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases, which only magnify the urgency to treat the gum disease when detected early on to help protect your overall health.
The Periodontal Exam Procedure
A comprehensive periodontal exam will be performed and documented by PerioImplant Associates at your initial dental visit. At your six-month check-up exams, our team will include the following:
- Oral cancer screening- We will check your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs or indication of oral cancer.
- Examination of diagnostic x-rays- These are essential in helping with the detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays can also help determine tooth and root positions.
- Examination of tooth decay- Every tooth surface will be checked for decay with special, handheld, dental instruments.
- Gum disease evaluation- We will evaluate your gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
- Examination of existing restorations- We will check all current fillings, dental crowns, or other restorations, to determine their condition.
Contact Our Practice Today
Our goal is to get you back to smiling and chewing with confidence. With our qualified staff and compassionate team, we will listen to your questions and desires to find the best solution for your dental health.
Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT)
It only takes twenty-four hours for plaque that is not brushed away from your teeth to begin to turn into calculus or tartar. Your daily maintenance program of brushing and flossing helps control and remove this plaque and tartar formation, but those hard-to-reach areas will still need our special attention.
After your periodontal exam has been completed, PerioImplant Associates will recommend that you have consistent maintenance cleanings, periodontal cleanings, usually twice a year. This fulfills complete treatment for all your dental needs. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully measured to ensure that they are within a healthy depth. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove each day in hard-to-reach areas will be removed from above and below the gum line.
Supportive Periodontal Therapy, periodontal dental prophylaxis, is always performed by a registered dental hygienist. Your cleaning appointment will include a periodontal exam and the following:
- Removal of plaque- Plaque is a sticky, clear film that forms immediately on your teeth, every day. It is a growing colony of food debris, saliva, and living bacteria. The bacteria produce toxins, or poisons, which attack the teeth and inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of gum disease.
- Removal of calculus or tartar: Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth and is now attached to the tooth enamel. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed by PerioImplant Associates with special dental instruments.
- Teeth polishing: To finish removing any stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
The Cost of Your Periodontal Exam
The cost of your periodontal exam can vary depending on your individual needs, conditions, and your personal treatment plan. We will discuss with you the cost of your periodontal exam treatment and each of your available payment options before we begin, so that you can make the best choice for your situation. Please let us know if you have any pending questions about your insurance coverage.
Our Specialists Tell Our Story Best
Ramsey Burton, DMD
Dr. Ramsey Burton is originally from Nashville, TN. He received both his undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Louisville. Following dental school, he completed periodontal specialty training at the University of Kentucky.
Courtney Shearer, DMD, MS
Dr. Courtney Shearer was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She attended Washington and Lee University for her undergraduate degree. She then attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where she received her Doctorate in Dentistry.
Jodie Lusby, DMD, MSD
Dr. Jodie Lusby is a Board Certified Periodontist and grew up in Florence, KY. He attended the University of Kentucky where he received his biology degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then attended the Louisville School of Dentistry.
A Warm and Caring Welcome to Our Practice
Our entire team at PerioImplant Associates has one single, primary focus, and that is to serve you. It quite often natural to be anxious about visiting a general dentist, or even a dental specialist such as a periodontist. Understanding and embracing that, we will always take our time in explaining the benefits of the treatment that is being recommended for your dental health. Both offices, Louisville, KY, and New Albany, IN, are completely educated to address all issues and concerns. We will share the many valuable aspects of periodontal treatment, introduce our staff, and explain any general office policies. Call us today about an evaluation for a periodontal exam procedure for you. Each of our caring staff will greet you with a smile and send you home with a healthy smile of your own that you will be eager to share.