Dr. William P. Lamas – Miami Periodontist
Periodontics & Dental Implant Dentistry in Miami, FL
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Miami Periodontist – Dr. William P. Lamas
Since periodontology is not a word that you hear every day, you may not know what it means. Periodontology is the term used to describe the branch of dentistry that concentrates on the supporting structures of the teeth and the conditions as well as diseases that affect the teeth.
What is a Periodontist?
Periodontists are dental professionals who specialize in treating periodontal disease and performing procedures designed to prevent tooth loss. In addition, periodontists use plastic surgery procedures to improve the appearance of the teeth and dental implants to permanently replace missing teeth.
The Prevalence of Periodontal Disease Among Adults in the U.S.
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), periodontal disease affects about 50 percent of individuals who are 30 years old, and beyond. An individual may develop gum disease due to: poor oral hygiene, smoking, bruxism (teeth grinding), pregnancy, genetics and the use of certain medications.
Do You Have a Gum Infection?
If you have pink gums, chances are you have a healthy mouth; however, if you notice that your gums are sensitive and/or bleed easily, you may have a gum infection. Left untreated, this condition could lead to pain upon chewing, gum disease and/or more extreme dental issues, like tooth loss. A periodontist can treat the infection, returning your mouth to a healthy state.
Answer these questions to determine if you have an infection:
- Are you experiencing halitosis (bad breath)?
- Do your gums bleed easily?
- Do you have pain when you chew?
If you answered yes to one (or more) of these questions, you may have a gum infection. Seeking treatment is essential as gum disease can cause serious problems throughout the body: These problems include diabetes, stroke and even heart disease.
Periodontal Disease: What to Look For
With early intervention, reversing the effects of gum disease is possible; therefore, knowing the signs of this disease is vital to receive a diagnosis and begin treatment.
Types of Periodontal Disease
Although many times the terms periodontitis and gingivitis are used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. While they both do fall into the periodontal disease spectrum, each refers to a different stage of periodontal disease that requires specialized treatment to make sure the disease does not progress further.
Gingivitis
Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) occurs due to excess plaque on the teeth and is the first stage of gum disease.
Preventing Gingivitis
Practicing good oral hygiene on a daily basis, having professional cleanings twice a year and routine dental examinations (to catch dental issues in their early stages) can prevent the onset of gingivitis.
Symptoms of Gingivitis
Symptoms of gingivitis include inflamed, red gums that bleed easily while brushing or flossing.
Preventing Gingivitis from Becoming Periodontitis
Seeking treatment for gingivitis early on is the key to preventing periodontitis. A periodontist can use specialized techniques, cleanings as well as antibiotic therapy to keep gingivitis from progressing into periodontitis.
Periodontitis
Warning signs of Periodontitis
Chronic Halitosis
Once gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, no matter how often an individual brushes his or her teeth, they will continue to experience halitosis. Chronic bad breath occurs as the bacteria in the mouth continually give off gases that cause noxious odors. Many times, this gas smells similar to sulfur (i.e., rotten eggs).
Pain
As each bacterium reproduces, more and more bacteria settle into the gums. This overgrowth of bacteria leads to the onset of pain while biting or chewing food.
Serious issues with the Teeth
Red, irritated gums may be the hallmark of gingivitis; however, periodontitis is probable when on top of these symptoms an individual experiences:
- fillings that become loose and/or fall out;
- shifting teeth, which leads to changes in his or her bite;
- unstable, loose teeth that may or may not fall out;
- mouth sores; as well as
- changes in the way his or her dental bridge, partial, dental plate, or flipper fit.
Deep Pockets Full of Bacteria
Once gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the gum tissue may begin pulling away from the teeth. This leads to the creation of deep pockets, which fill with bacteria and eventually cause an infection.
Years ago, when an individual lost a tooth/teeth he or she would:
- choose not replace the tooth/teeth at all;
- get what is referred to as a ‘flipper’ to replace a single tooth;
- get a partial for several missing teeth; or
- get full dentures to replace all his or her teeth.
Today, patients have another option, dental implants: These implants are ideal because they feel very similar to the natural teeth. In addition, patients who previously had dentures, partials or no teeth at all can once again eat the foods they love.
A Serious Gum or Jaw Disease Requiring Surgical Intervention
Left unchecked, gum disease can cause an individual to suffer a gum or jaw disease that requires surgical removal of a portion of the jaw line. Since Dr. William P. Lamas is an experienced periodontist, his goal is to correct issues related to the soft tissues in the mouth before they require such drastic measures.
Periodontitis Could be a Precursor of Oral Cancer
One of the main concerns associated with advanced stages of gum disease is that it can sometimes be an early warning sign of cancer: This is especially true in relation to adult males (because they have a higher risk of oral cancer). As a periodontist, Dr. Lamas knows the importance of performing thorough oral cancer screenings for each of his patients.
At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, our periodontists use non-surgical periodontal therapy techniques to treat even severe cases of periodontal disease. We typically implement this regimen with each of our patients because, as an experienced periodontist, Dr. Lamas has discovered that improving the quality of a patient’s gum tissue prior to performing a surgical intervention helps limit the areas that will need to be addressed during surgery.
Improving Your Smile: The Role of Your Periodontist in Miami
To become a periodontist, an individual is required to master many trades; however, experience is also an essential aspect of periodontal care. For this reason, choosing an experienced, well-rounded periodontist is vital to regaining and/or maintaining a healthy mouth, and vibrant smile.
At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, our experienced periodontists have the knowledge, skill and vision necessary to treat current issues, address previous problems as well as anticipate the likelihood of future issues related to the teeth, and gums. At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, our periodontists take the time to examine each of our patient’s mouths thoroughly. In addition, they ensure that the jawbone, connective gum tissue and gums are all working together, flawlessly. If a problem is detected, your periodontist will diagnose the problem and create a customized treatment plan specifically designed to meet your needs.
Diagnosing Gum Disease
The first step of diagnosing gum disease is determining the stage of the infection: This is accomplished through the information gathered and the dental examination performed at the patient’s initial consultation. In addition, digital x-rays allow our periodontists to assess the health of the patient’s teeth and jawbone. Once the stage of infection is determined, viable treatment options can be explored.
Treating Gum Disease
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) stresses the importance of achieving periodontal health using the least invasive and most cost-effective manner possible. At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, we follow these guidelines and, whenever possible, we use non-surgical periodontal treatments to restore periodontal health. However, these treatments do have their limitations; therefore, when non-surgical treatments are not effective, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Procedures and treatments that a periodontist frequently uses include:
Non-Surgical Treatments
Modular Periodontal Therapy – Cleaning, Irrigation and Antibiotics
Modular Periodontal Therapy is a safe, non-surgical and pain-free technique that we use at Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, to treat gum disease. Many times, Dr. Lamas starts with this non-surgical method to treat gum disease. In the early diagnosis of gum disease, this conservative treatment method provides excellent results. Furthermore, Modular Periodontal Therapy is also ideal for preventing the onset of gingivitis and periodontitis.
The procedure:
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Cleaning
Cleaning – During root planing, which is a cleaning process that involves removing the plaque and calculus that has accrued beneath the gum line, a fine, ultrasonic cleaning tip is placed in between the gum tissue and the tooth: These ultrasonic waves assist with the removal of this plaque and calculus buildup. Thus, eliminating the areas where bacteria accumulate. Shrinking the pockets in the gums and eliminating the buildup within is an essential aspect of any treatment plan for gum disease.
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Irrigation
Irrigation – Plaque and tartar can be rinsed away with the use of a handheld device designed to provide a jet of high-pressure water along the gum line. This procedure can be performed at home with a water flosser. However, if an individual has already had issues with gum disease, he or she should visit Dr. William P. Lamas regularly so he can perform this procedure with medicated solutions and a professional-grade irrigation device. These routine visits will keep gum disease under control.
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Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic Therapy – Another important aspect of treatment for advanced gum disease is antibiotic therapy. Both of these antibiotics which we use will effectively eliminate infections below the gum line. Once the infection is under control, the mouth can begin healing.
Maintaining the results:
Once these areas are successfully treated, patients can maintain their results and prevent re-occurrence through daily brushing and flossing.
Another important factor in maintaining the results is determining what is causing the gum disease in the first place and addressing it. For example, if an individual smokes, this habit may be contributing to the development of gum disease; therefore, quitting would be beneficial.
Furthermore, since Modular Periodontal Therapy has the potential to shrink infected gum pockets, this therapy may also be used to treat less advanced stages of gum disease.
Supportive Periodontal Therapy
The AAP recommends that patients who have periodontal disease schedule Supportive Periodontal appointments every three or four months. Clinical research indicates that following this recommendation greatly influences whether a patient will keep his or her natural teeth.
At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, patients know that our staff consists of experienced and caring professionals. Each of our registered dental hygienists is dedicated to helping patients prevent gum disease through proper oral hygiene; however, if gum disease is present, this problem will be addressed right away. At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, we know the importance of early intervention.
Dental Cleanings At Least Twice a Year
We recommend that all our patients incorporate Supportive Periodontal Therapy into their annual dental care routine. These procedures are essential to preventing gum disease as well as maintaining the results attained following gum disease treatment at Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami.
When we perform a dental cleaning, we do more than just remove the calculus, plaque and stains discoloring our patients’ teeth, we pay careful attention to all areas of the mouth so we can determine if periodontal disease is an issue. If it is determined that the patient has gum disease, the bacteria below the gum line is removed; thus, preventing any additional bone loss, which is an irreversible symptom of periodontal disease.
Oral Cancer Screenings
An experienced periodontist and dental hygienist know what to look for during an oral cancer screening: Detecting, screening and treating oral cancer promptly can save a patient’s life. At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, we perform oral cancer screenings at each patient’s Supportive Periodontal Therapy appointment.
Pocket Reduction Procedures
Bone and gum tissue are meant to fit snugly around the teeth; however, when an individual has periodontal disease, as the supporting tissue and bone is destroyed pockets begin to form around the teeth. As the gum disease progresses, the pockets deepen. At this point, the bacteria are accumulating within these pockets, under the gum tissue. If the gum disease is left untreated, bone and tissue loss will result, eventually leading to the need to extract the teeth (unless they loosen and fall out on their own).
Laser Periodontal Therapy
Scaling and root planing are the traditional non-surgical methods used to treat gum disease; however, controlled studies indicate that lasers can provide comparable results. With Laser Periodontal Therapy, we can address gum disease without making any incisions.
Gum Recession/Exposed Roots
Gum recession can occur due to abrasive brushing habits, gum disease and as part of the natural aging process. Gum recession is a slow process that may eventually cause the root structures of the teeth to become exposed. Once exposed, the individual may have pain along his or her gum line and tooth decay is likely. If a case is extreme, the teeth may become unstable.
Gum Recession Treatments
Gum Graft Surgery
Gum graft surgery is the traditional procedure used to treat a receding gum line. During this procedure, a periodontist removes small pieces of tissue from the roof of the mouth (or some other donor site within the mouth). The pieces of tissue are used to cover the roots that are exposed. However, this is a tedious task because only two teeth can be addressed at a time and each procedure typically lasts at least two hours. Furthermore, there is a high risk of infection with this traditional gum graft procedure and each graft takes about three weeks to heal. Today there is another non-surgical option for addressing receding gums and it is referred to as the Pinhole Surgical Technique™
At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, we correct receding gum lines using the revolutionary, non-surgical Pinhole Surgical Technique™.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique™ at Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami
This technique is ideal for individuals who have a moderate to severe receding gum line. The Pinhole Surgical Technique™ eliminates the need for gum grafting: Instead, the gum line is adjusted through several tiny holes that are placed into the gums. It is through these holes that Dr. Lamas shifts the patient’s natural gum line so it covers the exposed roots. He uses collagen strips to hold the gum line in its new position. The results achieved using this amazing, state-of-the-art technique are instantly visible.
Benefits of the Pinhole Surgical Technique™ include:
- the results attained are natural looking;
- patients enjoy a faster recovery;
- there is no need for invasive tools or scalpels;
- the patient experiences less discomfort (than experienced with the traditional gum-grafting surgery);
- no donor tissue is necessary;
- sutures are not needed;
- the benefits achieved are long lasting;
- very few risks or complications to be concerned with;
- procedure takes from 30 to 60 minutes (as opposed to several hours with gum grafting);
- 10 to 14 teeth can be addressed during one session (instead of just two teeth per session with the traditional gum recession procedure); and
- the cost of the Pinhole Surgical Technique™ is comparable to that of the traditional gum grafting procedure.
Plastic Surgery Procedures
The periodontist is frequently considered the plastic surgeon of dentistry: Probably because individuals who are looking to improve their smile usually come to a periodontist for help. At Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, we perform a variety of procedures to improve the health of the mouth as well as to provide our patients with the beautiful smile they desire.
Indentations in the Jawbone and/or Gums
Once a tooth has been lost, an indentation may develop in the jawbone or gums where it used to be. These indentations occur because the jawbone begins to recede when it does not have to hold a tooth in place. These indentions can look unnatural and cause a replacement tooth to appear too long (when compared with the adjacent, natural teeth). Dr. William P. Lamas can address these indentations prior to replacing the missing tooth with bone grafting techniques. Once the indentation has been addressed, a new tooth that looks and feels natural can be created and implanted.
Dental Crown Lengthening
Addressing a ‘Gummy-Looking’ Smile or an Uneven Gum Line
A periodontist can use dental crown lengthening to address a gummy-looking smile and/or an uneven gum line. When an individual has a gummy-looking smile, his or her teeth may appear to be short; however, the teeth may be the proper length, it is just that they are covered by excess gum tissue.
To Prepare for a Restorative or Cosmetic Dental Procedure
Sometimes, dental crown lengthening is performed in preparation for a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure (e.g., placement of a crown or bridge). For example, if a tooth is decayed or lacks sufficient structure for restoration, this procedure may need to be performed.
During a dental lengthening procedure, Dr. William P. Lamas reshapes the bone and gum tissue, which exposes more of the patient’s natural tooth. Dr. Lamas can address one tooth, several teeth or an individual’s entire gum line during a single dental crown lengthening session.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial teeth that closely resemble the look and feel of natural teeth. Dental implants are secured with an artificial tooth root. This root is placed into the jawbone and once healing is complete, the patient has a new tooth or set of permanent teeth. As long as the patient practices good oral hygiene daily, cleans the tooth/teeth as recommended and has biannual cleanings, dental implants can last a lifetime.
There are two types of dental implants:
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Subperiosteal
Subperiosteal – this type of dental implant is placed on the bone. This technique involves placing the metal framework on top of the jaw with the posts protruding through the gum. These posts hold the patient’s prosthesis. Patients who have difficulty wearing conventional dentures and have minimal bone height are ideal candidates for this type of implant.
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Endosteal
Endosteal – this implant is the one most frequently used and involves placing the artificial root (a titanium screw) into the jawbone. Each ‘root’ can hold multiple prosthetic teeth. An endosteal implant is typically used to replace removable dentures or bridges.
Regenerative Procedures
Plasma Rich Growth Factors (PRF)
This procedure uses the plasma in a patient’s blood sample to regenerate lost bone and tissue, which can reverse damage caused by gum disease. During this procedure, a vial of blood is taken (just as if you were having a blood test drawn for your physician). This blood is placed into a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins at a rapid rate, separating the plasma from the red blood cells.
The PRF procedure:
Dr. Lamas will carefully remove any existing bacteria along the gum line and then place the protein-rich plasma in areas that must heal or regenerate. The plasma stimulates tissue and bone growth through the body’s own regeneration process.
What Should I Expect at My First Periodontal Appointment in Miami?
This appointment will be very much like any other visit you have had with a dental professional:
- When you arrive for your initial consultation, you will check in at our front desk.
- If you are allergic to latex, please inform the individual who accompanies you to the exam room. Once you are taken to the exam room, Dr. William P. Lamas will review your dental charts.
- Should you have allergies to any medications or have a condition that could impact your treatment (diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, etc.), please be sure to let Dr. Lamas know at this time.
- After reviewing your dental records, Dr. William P. Lamas may decide to order x-rays. He orders x-rays because it is essential that, as your periodontist, he has the most current information available before making any recommendations.
- Once Dr. Lamas has reviewed the x-rays, he will want to look inside your mouth. He will carefully examine your jaw, mouth and gums. He may ask you to perform certain tasks (e.g., touch your tongue to the roof or your mouth, bite down, etc.). He uses all the information he gathers to determine the treatment plan that will meet your needs the best.
- After your evaluation is complete, Dr. William P. Lamas will offer his opinion on the health of your mouth. If applicable, he will also discuss the treatment(s) that he believes will provide you with the beautiful, vibrant smile that you desire.
As an experienced periodontist, Dr. William P. Lamas understands the difficulties associated with tooth loss and how it can affect nearly every aspect of your life. For this reason, he strives to provide each of his patients with the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.
Moreover, each dental professional at Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, is dedicated to helping patients attain the smile they have always wanted. If you are dealing with dental problems, please contact our office today at 305-440-4114.
We are located at 2645 SW 37th Avenue, Suite 304, in Miami.
RELATED PROCEDURES:
DENTAL IMPLANTS
ORAL SURGERY
- Bone Grafting
- Jaw Surgery
- TMJ Disorder
- Wisdom Teeth Removal
- Pericoronitis
GUM DISEASE TREATMENTS
TECHNOLOGY OFFERED
20
15,000
20,000
