More than 50 percent of adults in the U.S. have gum disease. Could you or your spouse be one of them?

The early stages of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, aren't easily recognized, and many patients don’t even realize they are affected by the condition. Since the initial stages are painless, treatment of gum disease is often delayed.

According to Dr. Luis Pérez, prosthodontist at Fairway Dental in Carrollton, in many cases, treatment is postponed to the point where long-term damage has been done and treatment is not effective.

Though traditional treatment methods for periodontal disease require surgery, minimally invasive laser therapy has become a common alternative for patients seeking treatment options.

Surgery for gum disease requires dentists to cut open gums, scrape the affected areas of roots, and stitch up the gums. Recovery can take up to four weeks.

Conversely, laser therapy requires no cutting or stitching. A small laser is directed between the tooth and the gum, and the diseased area is removed. Frequently, patients who receive laser therapy experience a recovery time of less than 24 hours.

Laser therapy typically requires less time than traditional surgery with an added benefit — less patient discomfort. A local anesthetic is provided prior to the procedure, and in most cases, patients are able to return to normal activities immediately.

Following treatment, your dentist will most likely recommend a soft food diet for a couple of days, but some patients are able to follow their normal diet habits right away.

“Patients affected by periodontal disease are often unwilling to come in for treatment, fearing a painful experience,” said Dr. Pérez. “But laser therapy is accompanied by very little pain and a quick recovery period.” 

If you’re interested in learning more about your treatment options for gum disease, call Dr. Luis Pérez and his staff at Fairway Dental in Carrollton for a free smile consultation at 214-731-4816, or visit the website at www.fairwaydental.com.

Fairway Dental
Luis R. Pérez, DDS, PA 

1616 W. Hebron Pkwy. Suite 100
Carrollton, TX 75010 

214-731-4816
www.fairwaydental.com

Dentures provide a viable solution for many dental patients, however, their cosmetic appeal can sometimes outweigh the practical use — particularly when problems like these occur:

• Your dentures dislodge easily
• You’re limited to eating only soft foods
• You can’t stand using adhesive to keep your dentures in
• Your dentures are rubbing your gums and causing painful sores

For patients who’ve experienced these and other difficulties, Fairway Dental in Carrollton is happy to offer another solution — implant-retained dentures.

In recent years, dental implants have emerged as an excellent, long-term answer for teeth replacement. Implants replicate the natural function and appearance of missing teeth, replacing them with artificial roots (usually made of titanium), which are then inserted into the jawbone. Over the course of just a few months, the implants fuse with the bone structure in the jaw to create permanent “roots.”

With the implant-retained dentures option, dentures are attached directly onto dental implants that are fitted with special attachments to keep the dentures in place. Whereas traditional denture support relies on suction and adhesives, implant-retained dentures make use of the retention and stability of the jawbone structure, which also creates a more natural-looking appearance. The dentures can then be easily removed for cleaning of the device and gum tissue.

"I find great joy in creating the most beautiful implant-retained dentures that improve my patients appearance and quality of life," says  Dr. Pérez.

In addition to enhanced stability, benefits include more effective chewing and the ability to speak more clearly. Implant-retained dentures may also decrease the appearance of wrinkling caused from other denture-adhering methods that can create an unnaturally positioned jawline.

Implant-retained dentures are usually designed for the lower jaw, since upper jaw dentures are typically more stable. However, both upper and lower dentures of this type are possible.

The implant procedure is a three-step process. In the first step, implants are placed in the jawbone under the gums — typically with two in the front of the mouth and two angled into the back of the mouth. Following this procedure, the dentist will wait several months for the implants to fuse with the bone. This process usually takes between three and four months if implants were placed in the lower jaw, and five or six months if placed in the upper jaw.

In the second step, the dentist will review an X-ray to confirm that the implants are ready. Then, a small incision is made in the gum to expose the top portion of the implants. Healing caps are placed onto the implants to ensure that the gum tissue heals correctly.

In step three, usually a couple weeks later, the healing caps are replaced with standard abutments that connect to the top of the implants. An impression is then made to create the denture framework. 

If you would like to know more about implant-retained dentures, call Fairway Dental in Carrollton for a free smile consultation at 214-731-4816, or visit the website at www.fairwaydental.com.

Fairway Dental

Luis R. Pérez, DDS, PA 

1616 W. Hebron Pkwy. Suite 100
Carrollton, TX 75010 
214-731-4816

As a Prosthodontist who began his training with dental implants 18 years ago, Dr. Luis R. Pérez has the pleasure of seeing patients’ self-confidence restored with dental implants even sometimes in a single-day.  Dr. Pérez highlights a few reasons why dental implants are long-term choices, more beneficial than conventional fixed-bridges.

Statistics show that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay. Furthermore, by age 74, 26% of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth.  Patients who are current denture wearers, or in need of full upper and/or lower restorations, can greatly benefit from the “All-On-4” implant technique.

At Fairway Dental, Dr. Pérez’ approach to successful dental implants requires that all parties involved — the patient, Dr. Perez who is in charge of the planning and the restorative phase, his dental technician and the oral surgeon who surgically places the implants, follow a detailed treatment plan. All members of the implant team stay in close communication with each other to make sure everyone clearly understands what needs to be done to meet the patient's desires and expectations

Qualified patients can have a full-set of new replacement teeth in a single-day with the “All-On-4” Implant Technique!  Here are the major patient advantages of this technique over a technique using more than 4 implants:

• This technique is a permanent, non-removable (fixed) replacement for teeth that can be maintained as natural teeth, following proper hygiene protocol.
• Full arch replacement requires only 4 specially placed implants.
• Patients have a faster recovery time and greater comfort after surgery.
• Minimizing the need for grafting, resulting in less cost, less surgery and less discomfort to the patient.
• These implants can last a lifetime, if cared for properly, and can prevent further bone loss.
• The patient’s ability to taste is not compromised, as no part of the roof of their mouth has to be covered (as with dentures, for example).
• The patient will have an efficient bite once more and can once again enjoy a variety of nourishing foods, greatly enhancing overall health.
• Achieve satisfying and natural looking esthetic results

You may find more information at www.fairwaydental.com. Feel free to contact Dr. Pérez’ staff with any questions at: appointments@fairwaydental.com or by calling 214-731-4816.

Fairway Dental
Luis R. Pérez, DDS, PA

1616 W. Hebron Pkwy. Suite 100
Carrollton, TX 75010

214-731-4816

Click here for a before and after.

About Luis R. Pérez, DDS, PA

Dr. Pérez received his DDS from the School of Dentistry at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While studying there, he was also selected by the university faculty to receive the Teledyne Hanau Prosthodontics Award for demonstrating outstanding knowledge and skills in the study and practice of prosthodontics.

Dr. Pérez continued his studies in Prosthodontics at the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine in 1995. After his specialty training, Dr. Pérez joined the U.S. Navy Dental Corps in San Diego. There, he served as staff prosthodontist and Co-director of the Removable Prosthodontics Division at the Naval Dental Center, the largest Naval dental facility in the world.

In addition to designing and supervising clinical courses for dental officers, he also trained Advanced Clinical Dentistry and Advanced Education in General Dentistry residents there until1998, when he entered private practice. Dr. Pérez is a member of the American College of Prosthodontics (ACP), the Academy of Osseointegration, and also belongs to several local study clubs.

Outside of the office, he enjoys cycling, golfing, traveling with his family, and playing other sports. Dr. Pérez was selected as one of the "Best Dentists in Dallas" in the D Magazine December 2005 issue (an exclusive peer-based survey that reveals the top 142 dentists in eight specialties).

He was also selected as “Super Dentist” in the October 2005, November 2006, November 2009, December 2009 and December 2010 and the next December 2012 issues of Texas Monthly Magazine and had his portrait on the cover of The Doctor of Dentistry Magazine in October of 2004. He was also featured in and authored an Implant technique article in the North Texas Dentistry Journal in August 2011.