Month: March 2015

Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

Posted on by firmmedia

San Antonio periodontal disease patients generally aren’t familiar with the condition until they are diagnosed.  They usually notice symptoms, or their general dentist refers them to KRK Implant Center for advanced care.

 

Our practice wants you to understand what periodontal disease is and how it appears –from the early onset to more serious stages — so you can take action as soon as possible. Read on to learn more.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is actually a general term for a group of diseases that affect the tissues supporting your teeth. This usually refers to the gums and the surrounding bone.

 

The cause of the disease is bacteria, which grows as plaque builds up on the teeth. Most people can eliminate this build-up with proper brushing, flossing, and dental visits, but plaque can become more durable and form tartar without the right care. The resulting increase in bacteria can irritate the gums and weaken the bone over time.

What Signs Should I Look For?

For patients in San Antonio, periodontal disease symptoms start with:

  • Red, irritated gums
  • Gums that bleed easily with vigorous brushing
  • Discomfort or sensitivity around the gums.

If you notice these changes in the appearance or feel of your gums, it’s time to take action. At this stage, the gums have a mild form of the disease — gingivitis — that you can typically resolve on your own with proper oral hygiene or with the help of your general dentist.

 

Waiting on treatment for periodontal disease may have some serious consequences. If unattended it can progress to periodontitis, a condition that can impact the strength and stability of your teeth and jawbone. You may have periodontitis if:

  • Your gums have begun separating from your teeth and forming pockets, which may become infected.
  • You have bad breath you can’t seem to improve.
  • You feel pain while chewing, or your teeth are more sensitive in general.
  • Your teeth become loose and require removal.

By the time you seek treatment for periodontitis, periodontal disease has progressed from a condition you can resolve with simple measures to a concern requiring the attention of a skilled dental professional.

 

It’s at this point that your dentist may refer you to KRK Implant Center, where Doctor Krueger can conduct a thorough examination and make a recommendation for your care. We offer several treatments that can resolve the condition permanently, and are happy to discuss all of these options with you.

 

Learn more about KRK Implant Center’s solutions for San Antonio periodontal disease patients. Call for an initial consultation at 210.826.3946 or fill out the form on the right.

What Distinguishes a Periodontist from a Regular Dentist?

Posted on by firmmedia

It is likely your general dentist referred you to KRK Implant Center for treatment. As a San Antonio periodontist, Doctor Krueger provides specialized care and surgical experience that supplements your dentist’s work. But how is a periodontist different from your general dentist?

 

A periodontist focuses specifically on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases that affect tooth-supporting structures, including the gums and bone. He or she also receives training in cosmetic treatments such as dental implants. Learn how this training and years of experience have prepared Doctor Krueger to support your needs.

Advanced Education

Like your general dentist, a periodontist attends a dental school program, which typically requires four years of post-graduate classroom and laboratory studies.  During the final two years, most dental students treat patients in clinics.

 

Periodontists continue their studies, however. They must take a national examination and complete an application for admission for additional graduate training, which usually lasts three years. In graduate school:

 

  • Periodontal students learn about the development of gum disease and bone conditions.
  • Graduate students get a broad perspective on the effects oral disease can have on other systems in the body.
  • They become adept in placing dental implants and performing other procedures.

Training also allows your periodontist to interact with other medical disciplines and gain expertise in advanced surgical techniques, including regenerative surgery, periodontal plastic surgery, and dental implant placement. In addition, their training in sedation and anesthesia methods provides greater safety during the surgical procedures they perform.

Specialization in Procedures

The biggest difference between general dentists and a periodontist like Doctor Krueger is that he spends most of his time placing dental implants, conducting cosmetic oral surgeries, and treating periodontal disease.

 

Much like anything in life, the more you practice, the greater your expertise. Doctor Krueger places hundreds and hundreds of dental implants each year, and his more than three decades of experience allow him to recognize and treat periodontal concerns effectively and efficiently.

 

If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Krueger’s work as a San Antonio periodontist, contact our practice at 210.826.3946 or fill out the form on the right.