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Posts for: June, 2016
The meaning of the word "periodontal" can be determined by breaking it up into two sections: "peri" means "to surround" and "dontal" pertains to the teeth. Therefore, your periodontist specializes in the treatment of problems with the area around the teeth - in particular the gum tissue. The periodontists at Williston Dental in Williston, VT - Dr. Gabriel Mannarino and Dr. Holly Halliday - work in this branch of dentistry to keep their patients' teeth and gums healthy. Learn more about how periodontists help your smile here.
Periodontal disease
Also called gum disease, periodontal disease is a progressive problem caused by decay. While teeth sustain cavities in response to the bacteria from plaque formation, the gums respond in a different, but just as predictable way: by becoming swollen, red and tender. Mild gum disease, called gingivitis, is very common; it's estimated that 75% of American adults have it. However, it's when gingivitis is allowed to progress to periodontitis that major problems can develop. Bad breath, bleeding gums and loose or missing teeth are all aspects of this preventable disease. Fortunately, both forms of gum disease are treatable when they are managed by a professional like your Williston periodontists. Deep cleaning sessions, antibiotics and other procedures can stimulate new growth and strengthen the existing gum tissue.
Dental implants
Because the process of placing dental implants is so focused on the gum tissue, periodontists make natural experts for this type of restorative dentistry. Your periodontist knows exactly where to place the implant's post beneath the gums to maximize stability, and will monitor the health of the gum tissue to determine when the rest of the implant - the abutment and crown - can be placed.
You do not need a referral to visit a periodontist. We encourage you to contact Williston Dental in Williston, VT with any questions or concerns you may have about your teeth and gums. Our trained professionals will be happy to help!

We’ve been treating one of your decay-prone teeth for some time with one filling after another. Each incident required a little more removal of decayed tooth material until now there isn’t enough structure to support another filling.
We could remove the tooth and replace it with a bridge or a dental implant, both viable restoration options. But keeping the tooth if possible would be more beneficial in the long-run for your gums, bone and remaining teeth. If it still has a healthy and stable root, it’s possible to permanently cover or “cap” the tooth with a life-like crown.
Crowns have been used for decades: the first were mainly composed of metal like gold or silver and later dental porcelain, a ceramic material that could be molded, shaped and oven-fired to resemble a real tooth. The earliest porcelains, though, were brittle, so a hybrid with a metal interior for strength and a fused exterior porcelain layer for appearance came into prominence.
Today, advances in materials have led to all-porcelain crowns strong enough to withstand biting forces. While the metal-porcelain hybrid still account for about 40% of crowns installed annually, the all-porcelain types are steadily growing in popularity.
Regardless of the type, though, the process for fitting any crown is relatively the same. The first step is to reshape the affected tooth so that the future crown will fit over it, followed by an impression mold of the tooth a dental technician will use to form a custom crown. Once the new crown has been prepared, we then permanently bond it to the tooth.
With a crown, you’ll be able to enjoy normal function and have a tooth that looks as healthy and normal as its neighbors. Be aware, though, that your underlying tooth is still subject to decay — so diligent, daily hygiene and regular dental visits are a must. With proper care your newly crowned tooth can continue to serve you and your smile for many years to come.
If you would like more information on dental restoration options, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Crowns & Bridgework.”

You might think David Copperfield leads a charmed life:Â He can escape from ropes, chains, and prison cells, make a Learjet or a railroad car disappear, and even appear to fly above the stage. But the illustrious illusionist will be the first to admit that making all that magic takes a lot of hard work. And he recently told Dear Doctor magazine that his brilliant smile has benefitted from plenty of behind-the-scenes dental work as well.
“When I was a kid, I had every kind of [treatment]. I had braces, I had headgear, I had rubber bands, and a retainer afterward,” Copperfield said. And then, just when his orthodontic treatment was finally complete, disaster struck. “I was at a mall, running down this concrete alleyway, and there was a little ledge… and I went BOOM!”
Copperfield’s two front teeth were badly injured by the impact. “My front teeth became nice little points,” he said. Yet, although they had lost a great deal of their structure, his dentist was able to restore those damaged teeth in a very natural-looking way. What kind of “magic” did the dentist use?
In Copperfield’s case, the teeth were repaired using crown restorations. Crowns (also called caps) are suitable when a tooth has lost part of its visible structure, but still has healthy roots beneath the gum line. To perform a crown restoration, the first step is to make a precise model of your teeth, often called an impression. This allows a replacement for the visible part of the tooth to be fabricated, and ensures it will fit precisely into your smile. In its exact shape and shade, a well-made crown matches your natural teeth so well that it’s virtually impossible to tell them apart. Subsequently, the crown restoration is permanently attached to the damaged tooth.
There’s a blend of technology and art in making high quality crowns — just as there is in some stage-crafted illusions. But the difference is that the replacement tooth is not just an illusion: It looks, functions and “feels” like your natural teeth… and with proper care it can last for many years to come. Besides crowns, there are several other types of tooth restorations that are suitable in different situations. We can recommend the right kind of “magic” for you.
If you would like more information about crowns, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Crowns & Bridgework” and “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.”