Bone Grafting

Regardless of the cause, when you lose a tooth, you may experience bone loss in your jawbone. The teeth stimulate the jawbone, so if you have lost one or more teeth, your jawbone will start to deteriorate. As time goes by, you may experience enough bone loss that dental implants won’t hold. If this is the case, we may recommend bone grafting.

Bone grafting is a procedure where we replace the missing bone in your jaw. There are three types: autogenous, allograft, and xenograft.

Autogenous grafts use bone from another part of your body, moving it to your mouth. Usually bone is removed from non-essential bones like your chin. By using your own bone, you are reducing the chance that your jawbone will reject it. It even prevents infection. Also, it is made up of active cellular material since it is still living.

Allografts use human bone but not your own. Instead, we use bone from cadavers who have donated their bones to bone banks. This is considered safe because the bone goes through rigorous testing before use.

Xenografts use bone from another source. The most commonly used source is cow bones.

The benefit of using either allografts or xenografts is that our patients will not have to have a second surgery to harvest their bone. Also, both sources are easily found so we will have plenty of bone for whatever you need.

Before we start, we use local anesthesia to numb the area where your bone will be removed and also in your mouth where the replacement bone is needed. We need to make an incision in your gums so we can see exactly how much bone is needed before we harvest your own bone or get bone from another source.

If we are harvesting bone from your chin, we will make another incision in the gums below your lower front teeth. This exposes the chin and we can remove the bone that we need, along with the marrow. We close this with stitches. After we remove the bone, we will place it where it is needed and screw it into the jawbone with titanium screws.

To help with the healing process, we may use bone marrow and bone-grafting material. We then stitch the incision closed.

After you have received a bone graft, you will need to go home with antibiotics and pain medication. You may need to eat soft food like pasta and JELL-O® while your mouth heals. It can take between six to nine months to completely heal. At that time, we will be able to place your dental implants in.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at (760) 966-0800 with any questions.

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Bruxism

Here at Galdiano Dentistry, we are dedicated to helping our patients who suffer from bruxism.

Bruxism is often called teeth grinding. Though many people grind their teeth occasionally, other people seem to grind their teeth on a regular basis. This can damage your teeth and cause many other dental problems.

People who grind their teeth usually do it when they are sleeping. It can be caused by dental problems like an abnormal bite or missing teeth. Teeth grinding is also seen a lot with patients who suffer from sleep apnea. Stress and anxiety can also cause teeth grinding, both during the day and at night.

Since most people grind their teeth at night, they might not even realize they do it. However, patients who wake up constantly with a headache or a sore jaw may suffer from bruxism.

Teeth grinding can cause a lot of problems. You could loosen your teeth to the point of losing them completely. You may also break a tooth or several teeth. Chronic grinding will wear your teeth down until you barely have much left of them. Chronic grinding can really hurt your jaw and change the appearance of your face.

The easiest way to fix teeth grinding is by wearing a mouthguard at night. However, if the grinding is caused by stress, you need to find ways to reduce your stress. You may also benefit from taking muscle relaxers.

Caffeine can make teeth grinding worse, so you may want to cut back on coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate. You should also cut back on alcohol because many people grind their teeth after drinking.

If you have any questions about bruxism, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

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Crown Lengthening

Here at Galdiano Dentistry, we are proud to offer crown lengthening for our patients.

Many people suffer from a condition that is often called “gummy mouth.” This means that their gums have grown up over their teeth so their teeth look smaller than they should!

For people who suffer from a “gummy mouth,” crown lengthening can really help. We actually reshape the extra gum and bone tissue that is covering your teeth so that your teeth are more visible. This can be done to just one or two teeth or your entire mouth!

Crown lengthening can also be done at the same time as other dental procedures. We not only reshape your gum and bone tissue but also repair any bad teeth that you may have due to decay or other damage.

If you have any questions about crown lengthening or would like to be seen, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

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Gum Grafting

Here at Galdiano Dentistry, we specialize in soft tissue grafting. We are proud to assist patients in Oceanside, CA and the surrounding communities.

At some point in their life, many people will be told by their dentist that they will need a gum graft. A gum graft will protect your teeth from any damaging effects of gum recession. This will help improve the appearance of your smile.

Gum recession happens when the tissue that surrounds the tooth pulls away from the tooth. This exposes more of the tooth or even the tooth’s root. This can cause damage to your supporting bone. Many people do not even realize their gums have receded. This is because it can happen so slowly. This is also one of the reasons it is so important to visit your dentist on a regular basis.

If your gums continue to recede and is not treated, this can cause tooth loss. The best way to repair the damage and to prevent any further dental issues is to have soft tissue grafting.

Our entire staff is dedicated to assisting you have a healthy and beautiful smile. We understand the potential issues gum recession can cause and will do everything that we can to help you get your oral health back on track. We are always available to answer any questions that you have before, during, or after your appointment.

If you have any questions about soft tissue grafting, contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

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Gum Recession

Gum recession is quite common and very noticeable when patients have periodontal or gum disease. Gum recession is when your gum line moves down to the root of your tooth. You may have recession on one tooth or several of them. It may not bother you but it can cause sensitivity to your root, tissue inflammation, exposure of the root, and even cavities. It also changes the way your smile looks.

Gum recession needs to be fixed because you need your gums to keep bacteria away from your roots. Without gums, you may experience worse gum disease, deterioration of your gums and bone, and even loss of your tooth.

Gum grafting can help patients who believe that their teeth look too big or are embarrassed by the amount of root showing due to gum recession. It can also help bring the gums to a level where they are more attractive. Moreover, it helps keep your mouth healthy.

There are three types of gum grafting procedures, and we will use the one that will work best for you and fit your specific needs.

Connective-tissue grafts are the most commonly done grafts. They are usually done when the root is showing. Our dentist will cut a flap in the roof of your mouth, remove tissue underneath, and then stitch the area back up. Then the tissue that we removed gets sutured to your gum tissue. The two tissues will grow together and form a higher gumline.

Free gingival grafts are very similar to connective-tissue grafts. The big difference is that we use tissue directly from the roof of your mouth to suture to the gums. This is most commonly done for people whose gums are naturally thin.

Pedicle grafts uses your own gum tissue at the site. Our dentist will make a flap with your gum tissue, stretching it over the root. It then gets sutured into place. This works well if you have plenty of gum tissue at the exposed root.

We can also use grafts from a tissue bank to help patients who don’t have a lot of gum or tissue.

You will be able to go home as soon as your procedure is done. Many times, we give a sedative to help you relax during the procedure, so you will need someone to drive you home. We will give you detailed instructions for the next few days, so be sure to listen carefully.

You will not want to brush or floss the area until it has healed. We may also give you a special mouthwash to use. This helps control plaque.

You will need to eat soft foods for at least a few days and up to a week afterward. Some patients have a little pain, depending on their tolerance and the type of graft that we did. You may take an over-the-counter medication, though we can prescribe a medication for pain if needed. You should be able to go back to work in a day or two.

If you have any questions, please contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

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Periodontal Scaling & Root Planing

Here at Galdiano Dentistry, we are proud to offer periodontal scaling and root planing for our patients. Periodontal scaling and root planing is done to remove tartar that has built up on your gum roots. Often your gums will start to pull away from your teeth, leaving a pocket that bacteria and food particles are able to fill.

Periodontal scaling and root planing is the most effective way to get rid of gum disease. There are times when we use a local anesthetic to numb the area before performing the procedure. Be sure to tell your dentist if you would prefer local anesthesia before we start the procedure!

Periodontal scaling and root planing cleans off tartar and other buildup on your teeth. We also clean between your gums and your teeth. We can use a standard scraping tool, but we also have an ultrasonic tool if needed. There are times when an antibiotic needs to be placed between your teeth and gums to help with the infection.

If you have any questions about periodontal scaling and root planing, please contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

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Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)

Also known as dental prophylaxis, a prophy is a regularly scheduled dental cleaning to help you maintain optimal oral hygiene. By having these regularly scheduled cleanings, we ensure that your teeth are in tip-top shape as well as remove any plaque or tartar buildup. When you brush and floss your teeth, you are working to remove plaque, but despite our best efforts, sometimes plaque builds up in hard to reach places. When the plaque on teeth isn’t properly removed, it hardens and turns into tartar.

During your prophy cleaning, a hygienist will begin by conducting a visual exam of your gums and teeth. By using a small mirror, they will check for inflamed gums, cavities, or other potential dental issues before getting started with the prophy procedure. If your hygienist finds anything that may be a concern, they will have the dentist come by to confirm the diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

For your cleaning, the hygienist will use the mirror to inspect each of your teeth then use a scaling tool to clean your teeth one by one. We recommend regular cleanings for patients who have a generally healthy mouth and gums which provides a thorough cleaning that can’t be done at home. With the use of the scaling tool, we easily remove plaque and scrape away any tartar from your teeth. After the hygienist visibly cleans each tooth, we may use other tools and techniques to continue cleaning between your teeth and under the gums to remove additional buildup. A prophy is not painful but may be discomforting to some patients due to the scraping that’s required to effectively complete the procedure.

At Galdiano Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing best-in-class dental services to ensure your oral hygiene is the best it can be.

For more information on prophy or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

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Soft Tissue Grafting

Here at Galdiano Dentistry, we specialize in soft tissue grafting. We are proud to assist patients in Oceanside, CA and the surrounding communities.

At some point in their life, many people will be told by their dentist that they will need a gum graft. A gum graft will protect your teeth from any damaging effects of gum recession. This will help improve the appearance of your smile.

Gum recession happens when the tissue that surrounds the tooth pulls away from the tooth. This exposes more of the tooth or even the tooth’s root. This can cause damage to your supporting bone. Many people do not even realize their gums have receded. This is because it can happen so slowly. This is also one of the reasons it is so important to visit your dentist on a regular basis.

If your gums continue to recede and is not treated, this can cause tooth loss. The best way to repair the damage and to prevent any further dental issues is to have soft tissue grafting.

Our entire staff is dedicated to assisting you have a healthy and beautiful smile. We understand the potential issues gum recession can cause and will do everything that we can to help you get your oral health back on track. We are always available to answer any questions that you have before, during, or after your appointment.

If you have any questions about soft tissue grafting, contact us today at (760) 966-0800.

read more
Request an Appointment