Taking care of your gums is just as important as caring for your teeth. In fact, gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss because the chronic infection attacks the tissue that holds teeth in place. Periodontology, which focuses on care for the soft tissue and bone surrounding teeth, is one of the eight dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. 

Dr. Gordon is an expert in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. At Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, our priority is to save your natural teeth by using both surgical and non-surgical intervention to help you protect the health of your gums.

Periodontists are the expert authority on diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. If you have advanced gum disease or have been struggling to keep your gum disease under control, you should see a Periodontist.  They are also experts in implant tooth replacement.

The periodontist typically sees more difficult cases that require a specialist rather than having the patient see a general dentist.  The Periodontist has years of advanced formal training to provide the best, most appropriate successful care.

It is not necessary to have a referral. If you feel that you are having a gum infection or poor gum esthetics or need implant tooth replacement, you can contact the Periodontal expert to understand treatment options and expedite care.

Unfortunately, gum disease is usually a very subtle disease with minimal symptoms.  Redness or swelling around a tooth or many teeth are indicative of periodontal infections.

By the time pain is present, problems can be very advanced potentially leading to tooth loss.  The earlier it is evaluated by a Periodontal specialist, the better.

An exam with x-rays and consultation ranges from $135 to 250.00.  Implant therapy: fees can vary greatly dependent on the current status/needs: $2100-3000.00 not including the tooth replacement from your dentist around $1800-2000. Periodontal Surgery: fees can vary greatly dependent on the current status/needs: $850.00-2800/ quadrant.  Soft Tissue Surgery:  500-1000.00/tooth. 

A general dentist addresses a wide range of dental problems.   A Periodontal Specialist has many years of additional training,  He has experience specifically to address diseases of the gums as well as implant-related tooth replacement performed on a daily basis.

Dr. Gordon works closely with your dentist to coordinate care to maximize your long-term health.  If you do not have a dentist, Dr. Gordon can refer you to the best dentist for your needs.

The first visit will include a complete medical and dental history review, ask you what your concerns are, a detailed measurement of the support of the teeth and health of the gums will be obtained.  Dental x-ray including 3 dimensional imaging would be obtained as needed.  Typically, a general review of your current status will be given. Generally, a separate visit would be arranged for a detailed Consultation appointment to review specific finding and options to address any issues.  Treatment option costs would be reviewed as well as financial options.

Most patients have only minor discomfort following non-surgical or surgical therapy with minimal or no swelling.  Rarely are narcotics required.

Most periodontal therapy will require no or only minor lifestyle changes during a very short period right after treatment.  Some treatment does require longer term protection of the treated area until the area matures.

We work with your insurance company to maximize your insurance benefits.

Most patients only require local anesthesia (“Novocain”).  However, we also offer Nitrous Oxide (”Laughing Gas”) and Enteral Sedation.  Lastly, there is an option of deep sedation.

Most therapy either does not require missing work or possibly only the day with a more involved procedure.

Will dental implant therapy force me to walk around without teeth for a period?

Virtually always do we have transitional tooth replacement options for social and function during the treatment phase when needed.

Periodontists are the experts at the manipulation of soft tissue to cover exposed roots. There are multiple sophisticated techniques that sometimes use growth factors and stem cell-like materials to obtain great results.

We would perform a thorough dental/ facial assessment to determine why you have a “gummy” smile. Typically, there are periodontal techniques to greatly improve the smile and limit excessive gum display.

We would perform a thorough dental/ facial assessment to determine why you have “small teeth”. We have several alternative techniques to quickly resolve this with immediate results.

We would perform a thorough dental/ facial assessment to determine why you are losing support around your teeth. Dependent on the findings, we would recommend different alternatives to address this problem. Where appropriate, we can utilize stem cell-like materials and grafting materials to regrow support. Options would be discussed at a consultation visit.

Having a screening evaluation for potential issues present before orthodontic therapy starts can avoid serious issues including tooth loss. This is especially true for adult patients having tooth movement with conventional orthodontic or Invisalign- type tooth movement.

When an abscess forms around a tooth without a clear indication of the source, a periodontal assessment is in order to define whether it is a periodontal abscess or fracture.

Periodontists are trained to extract teeth. Many times, it is preferable to have the Periodontist remove the tooth so that the site can be prepared for a future dental implant as well as preserve the existing bone

An extraction can range from $150.00 to 500.00 but can be more if the bone is being preserved for a future implant.

There are many times that seeing only the dentist would be fine. However, patients who have a history of periodontal disease are at higher risk for recurrent infection and need the expertise provided in the periodontal specialty practice. In those cases, typically you would alternate your cleanings between the periodontist and the dentist each quarter.

Our office will work with you to allow you to achieve the desired outcome while giving you multiple financial options to ease the costs. We offer financing through CareCredit as well as credit card installment payments as well.