Posted on

Why Pinhole Surgery Is Important | Chicago Dentist

woman receiving dental work

Smoking, grinding, poor hygiene, hormonal changes, and even medications can affect your overall oral health as you may think. Gum recession is not a cosmetic issue, it’s something that can weaken your periodontal arch as your tooth sockets loosen. When you progress in the cycle of gingival recession, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. More than simply loosening teeth, it can cause them to become misaligned, lost, and hinder your ability to maintain proper oral hygiene.

The benefits of pinhole surgery are that it is non-invasive, meaning the pain is minimal and recovery is quick. Patients do not need to employ anesthesia and will come out of surgery with fewer wound sites than the previous technique.

The Pinhole Technique is the best way to treat gum recession, and If you would like more information about soft tissue grafting, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Receding Gums: What To Know | Chicago Dentist

close up smile red lipstick

As gums recede, they pull away from your teeth and expose the root over time. Not only can this cause pain, it creates pockets between the two and along the gum line. It makes your beautiful smile susceptible to decay gum disease and tooth loss. This is when the problem has gotten out of hand, and you have a gingival recession.

Some things that can lead to gum recession are aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, misalignment, gingivitis, and genetics. Of course, some things are preventable and others are predetermined, but it’s important to control what you can. Speak with your dentist about your oral care habits and health history to assess your risk, and give you tips about how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

If you would like more information about soft tissue grafting, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Minimally Invasive Gum Recession Treatment | Chicago Dentist

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

We are dedicated to providing patients with the best possible experience no matter the procedure. It is important to us that each patient gain a thorough understanding of what their treatment will entail from beginning to end. Procedures such as gum recession treatment have historically been an unpopular one, as it has been invasive one. Today we are proud to offer patients a much less invasive means of correcting their receding gum line.

Periodontics practices have utilized tunneling procedures for a long time as they allow for the use of small incisions. This practice has found its way into gum recession treatment, and we are proud to employ this method. This means of correcting recession reduces recovery time and discomfort for the patient. 

A major shift in this procedure is the use of dissolvable sutures used to stabilize the surgical area, allowing the patient to return to their daily practices, and eliminating the need for follow-up visits. We have noticed our patients enter, and recover from treatment more pleasantly, and making them comfortable makes us smile.

If you would like more information about soft tissue grafting, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Understanding Gingival Recession | Chicago Dentist

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

We all do our best to care for our teeth and gums to maintain our oral health and beautiful smile. Yet, gingival recession (aka gum recession), carries a number of underlying factors that cannot be as easily recognized as the recession itself. Most people consider the aesthetic appearance of our smile when discussing recession, but by that point, it’s likely the underlying cause has gone untreated for a long time. Your dentist will assess your need for a gum graft and the probability of success after a graft against several factors such as how your teeth are moving and the rate of recession.

Here is an example of a patient’s experience with a tissue graft:

The patient is a 32-year-old female who does not like to smile because of her appearance when she smiles. When the lips are retracted, we get a better understanding of how much recession there is throughout her mouth. In 2005, we successfully reconstructed the tissue that had receded using a minimally invasive approach with connective tissue grafts. The patient did not wear her night guard as recommended to keep her teeth from shifting.

She returned 5 years later because of an increased recession occurring on the front right central incisor. All of the other areas had remained stable except for this tooth. On closer inspection, we get a better understanding of why the one tooth continued to recede. Without the protection of the appliance, the front tooth continued to shift out of the bone, causing the loss of the supporting bone and leading to loss of tissue.

If you find that you are dealing with gum recession, it is important to contact your Chicago dentist as soon as possible to treat this issue.

If you would like more information about gum recession, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

You Have Receding Gums, Now What? | Chicago Dentist

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

Receding gums can change the look of your gorgeous smile over time, and for some, this may degrade their confidence. Receding gums is a natural phenomenon that occurs as we age. Yet, the procedure to correct the issue has long been an invasive process. That is until the revolutionary Pinhole Technique was created, and adopted by our practice.

When you embark on correcting gum recession, your dentist aims to rebuild lost tissue and cover the roots to prevent infection. Addressing recession, and its associated implications are paramount to correcting existing issues before they worsen. In the 1990s, Dr. Cabrera published an article in The Journal of the American Dental Association in 1995 titled The Connective Tissue Graft, and later reprinted in The Canadian Dental Journal discussing the connective tissue graft that had long been the industry standard procedure.

So, what is the Pinhole procedure, and how does it work to address receding gums? A small puncture creates an opening on either side of the roof of one’s mouth, or behind the molars. Tissue is then secured to recessed areas with very fine stitches. This procedure is much less invasive, requiring only over-the-counter medication to address any pain a patient may experience after treatment.

Stop hiding your beautiful smile due to gum recession. Dr. Cabrera is an experienced practitioner of the Pinhole method, allowing individuals with receding gums to regain their confidence to show off their smiles.

For more information about receding gums or the Pinhole method, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com today.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

The Link Between Gum Recession and Permanent Retainers | Chicago Dentist

Woman face smile with perfect teeth looking you

One of the goals of orthodontic therapy is to retain the teeth in their final position with the goal being the prevention of relapse. There are different means by which an orthodontist may attain this goal, but it’s usually through using a removable or fixed retainer, depending on the patient’s needs.

A fixed retainer also referred to as a permanent retainer, is bonded to the inside of the lower front six teeth. Essentially, a wire is tacked into place across these teeth and can only be removed by a dental professional. Fixed retainers are a convenient option that removes the potential for missed days or the transfer of unwanted bacteria into the mouth from the improper care of a removable retainer. Just because the retainer s fixed, doesn’t mean it’s passive, as we have seen an increase of teeth being forced out of the bone over time.

One patient reported that a bone graft she had done several months prior had failed. We found that in fact, the position of that tooth made it impossible for the graft to succeed in the first place. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in an effective treatment plan.

If you notice the warning signs that recession may be happening, it’s important to call or visit your periodontist. Dr. Cabrera is an expert in his field and understands what to look for as potential contributing factors of recession. If a fixed retainer is causing the recession, Dr. Cabrera will understand how best to address your needs.

If you would like more information about retainers, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Posted on

Getting a New Smile in a Single Day | Chicago Dentist

As we embark on a brand-new year, many of us sit down and reflect on things they’d like to improve upon. For some, it’s fitness. For others, it’s a lifestyle improvement. If you have a flawed smile, you may want to consider cosmetic dentistry. Believe it or not, you can get your grin fixed in a single day. Don’t believe it? May we introduce you to All-on-4 implants in a day. Although this form of treatment has received a significant amount of media attention in the past couple of years, this is a service we have been providing to our patients for some time.

Not sure you are eligible? There are generally two areas where this treatment is an option:

In certain patients with a front tooth that needs to be extracted and there is sufficient bone, the periodontist will remove the tooth and place a temporary implant on the same day. For individuals who are losing all of their teeth, we do a procedure called all on 4 (AO4). Not only is your replacement created in-office, but in six months later, you have the permanent appliance.

Once the periodontist places the implants (4-6 depending on the patient), there are precautions that the patient must take during the initial period to avoid biting on anything hard.

One thing that is not mentioned in the advertising is that in all instances, the immediate teeth are temporary and further work will be required 6 months later to ensure everything is working properly. In addition, the appliances must be kept clean to prevent the tissues from getting infected. The follow up cleaning appointments are typically alternated between the periodontist and the patient’s general dentist.

If you would like more information about all-on-4 implants, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Diabetes and Your Smile | Chicago Dentist

Diabetes is a disease that runs rampant through our country. In fact, over 29 million Americans suffer from diabetes – and that’s just counting those that have been diagnosed. Because of this, it is no surprise that many of us are focused on keeping ourselves healthy as much as possible. But did you know that diabetes is directly affected by our oral health, and vice versa? It’s true. Diabetes is a disease focused on sugar levels, and sugar is terrible for our oral health. Our mouths are the main line of defense to many of our illnesses, so if it becomes compromised, our overall health is affected.

November is National Diabetes Month, so to celebrate, let’s take a look at just how closely diabetes and our oral health is linked. One symptom of diabetes is being excessively thirsty. If you are thirsty, you are not producing saliva, the main defense against bacteria. These bacteria are left to create cavities and other dental issues like gum disease. Bleeding and inflamed gums are common symptoms of gum disease and because diabetes make it harder for wounds to heal, you are more susceptible to more issues if left untreated.

Thankfully, your periodontist will be able to help with this cyclical predicament, but it starts with an appointment. By treating gum disease, you are going to help keep your blood sugar levels in check much easier, as gum disease increases these levels but is rarely taken into account. Proper dental hygiene (including dentures), changing bad habits like smoking and poor diet, and in-office deep cleanings will keep your smiles healthy and diabetes in check.

If you would like more information about diabetes and your health, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Celebrating Halloween with Braces | Chicago Dentist

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and coincidentally, Halloween. So, in honor of these two fantastic occasions, let’s do a quick run-down of what to expect from this scary holiday if you do decide to not look after your braces, because the consequences will be more frightening than the holiday itself. When we get our braces put on, we are warned that there are certain foods we will have to forgo while our braces are fixing our smile. Popcorn, nuts, gum and all hard, sticky or chewy candies are monstrous to your mouth’s delicate appliances.

Hard candy, like lollypops, are a favorite because they last a while if we suck on them. The problem is having the sugar linger around in your mouth as the candy dissolves makes it easier for cavities to form. And if you chomp on them, you can run the risk of breaking off one of your brackets or chipping an actual tooth. Chewy candies, like a gummy bear or a jellybean, have similar results but have a tendency to get stuck in the crevices of your molars, making a perfect hideout for cavities. Sticky candy, like caramels or chewing gum, are some of the worst treats of all. Not only can they pull off a bracket from your tooth, but they can burrow within your molars as well, making them basically a sweet combination of the two others. There are also candies on the market that are sour than they are sweet and are an absolute favorite with all kids today. The sourness is actually acidic and can break down your tooth’s enamel, making them more prone to decay, so try to limit these candies the most. Have a happy Halloween!

If you would like more information about celebrating Halloween with braces, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Soft Tissue Grafting: A Case Study | Chicago Dentist

Although most people concentrate on the teeth for an attractive, healthy smile, the appearance of the gums cannot be ignored. Because your gums are the “frame of your smile”, an ugly frame will destroy the appearance of a beautiful smile. Knowing this, we will often use soft tissue to enhance the appearance of the tissue in conjunction with new restorations. The following case demonstrates one such example:

This case illustrates a 35-year-old physician who was missing two teeth in the front and had a bridge placed many years ago. She did not like the appearance of the bridge and wanted to replace it. The before photos illustrate how an unsightly indentation in the gum tissue compromised the appearance of the bridge. In addition to replacing the bridge, we wanted to improve the appearance of the tissue in order to improve her “picture frame”. Utilizing minimally invasive tunneling procedures, a collagen graft was placed to build out the tissue and create an appearance that a tooth was present, but in actuality, it is missing. The improvement was seen immediately at the time of surgery, and after several weeks in a new temporary bridge, the result is even more apparent. As you can see, we have created the illusion that there are teeth present by simply reconstructing the tissue.

If you find that you have gums that are affecting your smile and self-confidence, soft tissue grafting may just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Not only will it improve the look of your gums but will also give you a discreet way to bring back a reason to smile.

If you would like more information about dental bridges, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.