Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque. There are different stages of this disease and it is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Treatment for this disease varies. Dr. Eric J. Aubert of Forest Park Dental in St. Louis, MO gives his patients options when it comes to the treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, making it critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar and creates a suitable environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is called gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontitis. Periodontitis can destroy your gum and bone tissue, leads to tooth loss and even can result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone. Heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into a more serious periodontal disease. The procedure gives Dr. Aubert the ability to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar and plaque that is causing your inflammation.

This procedure is an incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric J. Aubert by calling (314) 367-7200. For more information about the dentist or his services, visit www.forestparkdental.com.  

Screening for Oral Cancer

Being screened for oral cancer is an important part of maintaining your oral health and should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. At our practice in St. Louis, MO, we take oral cancer seriously and are dedicated to keeping our patients safe with thorough screenings.

While everyone is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk in developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so it is especially important for you to receive regular screenings if you partake in these activities. If oral abnormalities are caught early, it will not only expand your treatment options, including less invasive and less radical treatments, but it will also increase your chances of beating oral cancer.

Screening for oral cancer can be done during routine checkups by Dr. Eric J. Aubert, who uses ultraviolet light to help him spot abnormal tissue in your mouth. Abnormal tissue can then be tested to see if it is cancerous or not.

Oral cancer is a serious issue, and at Forest Park Dental, we strive to protect all our patients. To schedule an appointment, call (314) 367-7200. For more information about Dr. Aubert and the services we offer at Forest Park Dental, visit www.forestparkdental.com.

Crown Lengthening

A dentist’s first goal is always to save your teeth, which is why dental professionals have developed many dental procedures that help prevent tooth extraction. One such procedure is crown lengthening, which Dr. Eric J. Aubert of Forest Park Dental in St. Louis, MO uses in cases where decay has decimated a tooth to a point where there is not enough tooth structure left upon which to fix a crown.

If a tooth has broken below the gum line or if decay has developed underneath an existing crown or filling, crown lengthening allows a new crown to be placed rather than extracting the tooth. While called crown lengthening, this common surgical procedure does not actually lengthen the crown. What it does is lower the gum line, and Dr. Aubert does this by removing gum tissue, bone or both to expose more of the tooth and provide a foundation for the crown.

The procedure is performed with a local anesthesia to numb the area. When the area is fully numb, Dr. Aubert will pull the gums away from the teeth and expose the roots and surrounding bone. In some cases, removing a little of the gum tissue will expose enough of the tooth for placing a crown. However, it is more likely that some bone will also have to be removed from around the roots of the teeth. After removing the necessary amount of tissue and bone, the area is washed and the gums stitched.

Dr. Eric J. Aubert works hard to always protect his patient’s teeth and to provide the best quality of dental care available in St. Louis, MO. To schedule an appointment, call (314) 367-7200. For more information about Dr. Aubert and other services offered at Forest Park Dental, please visit www.forestparkdental.com.