Services and Technology

Periodontal disease of the gums is caused by the presence of certain types of bacteria and how a person’s body responds to these different types of bacteria. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis.

When bacteria and plaque penetrate the gum tissues and release toxins, the body responds by releasing its own cytokines and a breakdown of the bone and gum tissue that cause periodontal pockets, or “deep pockets”. This bone loss around teeth can increase the chances of tooth loss.

Once a tooth has been lost, the supporting jaw bone has a tendency to disappear over time. Studies have shown that more than 46% of the population has gum disease. Severe gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss, and loss of function, smile, confidence, and proper nutrition.

If your dentists have discussed the presence of deep pockets with you and you have not responded well to scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), then further action might be necessary to save your teeth.  If you have deep pockets you can be a candidate for one of the following treatments.

Our surgeons can provide simple techniques that are now available to regrow lost bone, provide support for dental implants, or improve the esthetics beneath a fixed bridge. For a consultation call 770-928-6655 to make an appointment today!

Surgical Periodontal Therapy is the reconstruction of gum and bone to decrease the risk of periodontal disease. One of the surgeries we offer is LANAP, a LASER gum disease treatment that essentially re-grows the tissue and bone lost to gum disease. Patients experience less pain, sensitivity and gum loss with little downtime after the procedure.

LASER Periodontal Therapy™ (LANAP)

The LASER  Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) treats periodontal disease using the Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc., PerioLase® LASER. Patients love this system because there is no need for scalpel or sutures!

The LASER is placed between the gum and tooth where your own growth factors are used to form the membrane and allow for generation of the gum tissue and reduce the periodontal pocket. The Laser uses different wavelength to dissect the tissue and allow access to root surfaces so they can be scaled and cleaned thoroughly. Tartar is removed from the root surface with the use of the Piezoelectric scaler. Initial treatment will focus on removing as much of the diseased tissue as possible with the LASER. Scaling with ultrasonic and hand instruments will be used to remove plaque and tartar. Once the area has been cleaned thoroughly, your gums will better be able to heal.

Your treatment timeline will be discussed before any procedure is performed. Generally, treatment is completed in two office visits (not including post-op and maintenance office visits). Although this is a non-invasive procedure, the patient may feel some post-procedure discomfort during the healing process, this usually can be dealt with by using over-the-counter medication.

LANAP treatment is usually no more expensive than traditional surgery. Some factors that impact the cost of treatment include the severity of the periodontal disease, and how many teeth need to be treated.

Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure™ (LAPIP)

While dental implants have revolutionized teeth replacement, improper placement or maintenance can cause problems like excessive pain or bleeding. An infection can occur and lead to peri-implantitis, which causes bone loss or implant failure. Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure™ (LAPIP) is a non-invasive procedure very similar to the LANAP procedure because it is also a laser guided periodontal treatment. It removes the bacteria causing peri-implantitis without disrupting the implant.

The LAPIP procedure produces long-term benefits with short-term recovery time. It provides more than relief from painful implant inflammation, reinforces implant stability, and results in better tissue regeneration. Our doctors are one of few periodontists certified in the LANAP and LAPIP protocol in Woodstock, Jasper, and the surrounding Metro Atlanta areas. Standard LAPIP treatment involves opening the gums and obtaining a graft from the bone and surrounding tissue, as well as removing and replacing the implant.

Osseous Periodontal Therapy

Osseous surgery is a procedure indicated for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease destroys the supporting tissue and bone, leaving periodontal pockets. These periodontal pockets develop and hold bacterial plaque, which results in the loss of teeth, tissue, and bone.

The osseous procedure eliminates gum pockets by removing the infected gum tissue and bone. Our surgeons will make incisions around the teeth, and pull the gums back to remove all plaque and tartar. Moving the gum closer to the bone reduces pockets. A protective dressing is placed around the tooth to protect and secure the new gum-to-tooth union. The osseous surgery can be performed in one section, or wherever there is an infection in the mouth. The result is a healthier mouth that promotes the long-term prevention of periodontal disease.

Guided Tissue Bone and Gum Regeneration

Guided tissue bone and gum regeneration are necessary in cases where periodontal disease has caused a defect around the tooth, and the area can be treated with a graft. The procedure is additive and does not require the removal of bone. We offer many options that use membrane barriers, tissue-stimulating proteins, bioactive growth factors (Emdogain), and particulate bone allograft for bone grafting.

When a patient lacks a sufficient amount of gum or soft tissue, or bone tissue, the body loses a natural defense against bacterial penetration and trauma. Grafting is used to maintain bone and facial structure. Our team will address the cause of your gum recession while providing a treatment plan.

Gum Recession

Gum recession, otherwise known as gingival recession, is when the gum retreats from its position, causing more exposure to the roots of the teeth. Aggressively brushing and flossing, genetics, abnormal tooth positioning, or overall poor oral health can contribute to gum recession, leaving insufficient tissue to support the tooth structure. Gum recession can also lead to root sensitivity to hot and cold beverages and foods, an increased risk of root decay, and an unflattering appearance of the gums and teeth.

Dr. ElMaraghi and Dr. Halpern offer many ways to treat gum recession to help restore your smile in a healthy way.  

Soft-Tissue Graft

A soft-tissue graft is performed to prevent gum recession and improve the appearance of your smile. The procedure requires a cover over the roots or the development of gum tissue that isn’t present. An exposed root can be a result of inflammation from plaque and bacteria along the gumline from aggressive brushing your teeth. Your surgeon will work with you to determine the root of the problem. After determining the reason, we will repair the defect with any of these three types of soft-tissue grafting:

Free Gingival Graft: A gingival graft, or gum graft, is a surgical procedure used to increase the amount of “good”, keratinized tissue around a tooth. The procedure requires taking gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and gently moving it to the exposed root surface of the teeth to provide stability for the teeth. The results provide healthy tissue around the tooth. This particular gum graft is used with patients who may have thinner gums and need additional tissue to expand the gums.

Autogenous Connective Tissue Graft: This procedure is needed when there is gum recession (root exposure). It is the most common method to treat root exposure and can be performed using the patient’s own tissue from their palate (roof of the mouth). The tissue is removed and stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root. Once the graft is removed from the roof of the mouth, it is stitched back down.

Dermis Graft: A Dermis Allograft is a skin tissue graft that covers up exposed root surfaces of the teeth. The tissue used for this procedure comes from a donor bank.

Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a revolutionary scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for treating gum recession, and takes the place of a traditional tissue grafting procedure. The procedure can take up to two hours but provides a quicker recovery time compared to the traditional method.

During your appointment, your dental surgeon uses a small needle to make a small hole in the gum tissue. The tissue is then loosened and gently pulled over the receded root surfaces of the tooth. Patients experience minimal postoperative symptoms including pain, swelling, and bleeding. Typical recovery time takes a few days.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed where a tooth root is normally found. If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants might be a great option for you. Dental Implants are the perfect solution to preserve the look of your smile and prevent unintentional tooth movement, loss of bone, and function. With dental implants, patients can regain their ability to eat whatever they want and smile with confidence. Dental implants are the most natural-looking tooth replacement procedures because they feel, look, and function just like normal teeth. When the implant heals to the bone, dental crowns or caps (artificial teeth) are placed on the anchored posts, creating a beautiful smile.

Not all dental implants are equal, top implant companies in the world conduct the most rigorous research, and accept the lowest margin of error. Dr. ElMaraghi and Dr. Halpern use these premium implants to ensure success rates and outcomes for their patients. The implant treatments we offer include single-tooth, multiple-tooth, full arch, and mini dental implants.

Single-Tooth Implant Replacement

Your smile and the health of the oral cavity depend on many factors, including a full set of healthy teeth. A single-tooth implant is a single dental implant. While a single missing tooth may not seem as urgent as an entire arch of missing teeth, this condition can severely disrupt the balance and health of your smile. The implant is surgically placed into an opening made by either Dr. ElMaraghi or Dr. Halpern. Once the implant is attached to the bone, it acts as a root for the crown that will replace the missing tooth. At Northwest Periodontics Dr. ElMaraghi and Dr. Halpern have solutions for single missing teeth, including mini implant-supported dental crowns.

To learn more about how we can replace a single missing tooth with a custom dental crown or bridge contact us.

Multiple Tooth Replacement

The multiple tooth replacement procedure is common when you have more than one missing tooth. Losing several teeth can cause a lack of confidence and aesthetic appeal. In addition, the loss of your teeth can lead to a number of oral health problems, including periodontal (gum) disease, misalignment, loss of function, and further tooth damage. It is essential to your oral health to replace your missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent bone and soft-tissue deterioration as well as facial collapse. If you’ve lost teeth and want to rebuild a smile that will last for years to come contact us. The multiple-tooth dental implants used by Dr.ElMaraghi and Dr. Halpern at the Northwest Periodontics office utilize cutting-edge technology and natural-looking restorations to fill the gaps left by missing teeth.

After losing all of your teeth, life can change significantly. However, Dr. ElMaraghi and Dr. Halpern at Northwest Periodontics can offer sophisticated solutions to replace all of your teeth in the most natural and reliable way.

This life-changing implant solution is a fixed prosthesis that doesn’t have to come in or out, functions like natural teeth, and can replace a whole arch at a time. It allows patients who have lost all of their teeth (or already have lost them) to receive teeth supported on implants the same day. Other benefits of dental implant support are natural-looking esthetics, improved chewing of food including a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables, elimination of partials or dentures, enhanced speech and confidence!

The procedure involves the insertion of an implant, then a full dental bridge supported on the dental implants. The fixed bridges look and function like real teeth. Patients can receive both top and bottom sets of new teeth in the same day. Throughout the process, we coordinate your appointments for a smooth and satisfactory journey to your smile. Our surgeons work very closely with your restorative dentist to achieve the final desired result and ensure the success of the case.  

Please call 770-928-6655 today for your consultation and Cone Beam CT Scan (3D).

Sinus lifts are required occasionally when replacing upper molars, premolars, and teeth with dental implants. This procedure is also necessary when a tooth is extracted and the bone in the area begins to shrink or resorb over time. This movement can impinge on the sinus cavity, and cause insufficient height to support an implant. As a result of bone loss, the sinuses can expand to occupy space. With insufficient bone to securely place a dental implant, a sinus lift will move the sinus away from the roots of the teeth or create additional bone in the area.

This might sound extensive however, it is not at all. The word surgery in reference to dental procedures is minor especially compared to surgery in other parts of the body. Most patients have very little post-operative pain or problems. If pain or problems do occur, they can and will be managed in whichever way the patient feels most comfortable.