Our Procedures

Every patient has specific needs for maintaining the health of their teeth. We are here to train you in the best home care routine you can achieve and will supplement your efforts with professional cleanings, assessments, and regular oral cancer screenings. That may look like regular yearly visits…or visits every month! We will help you assess what interval works best.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that destroys the support around your teeth and can lead to tooth loss if it goes untreated. Periodontitis occurs because of a genetic propensity and local bacterial factors and may go unnoticed because it is often not painful. Like other inflammatory diseases, it requires an active phase of treatment to get it under control followed by lifelong maintenance care. Non-surgical and surgical options including regenerative procedures are available and can be discussed with Dr. Ishii.

Gingival recession or “gum” recession results in loss of tooth support and exposure of the roots of your teeth. Recession occurs because of a combination of factors including genetic propensity, overworking the teeth (from grinding and clenching), malalignment, systemic factors, and aggressive brushing. Treatment may range from conservative care such as appliance therapy and home care training, or surgical regeneration with autografts, allografts, bone grafts, and tunnelling procedures. Dr. Ishii will assess you for the causes of your recession and recommend treatment accordingly.

We all have some asymmetries, and our gumline is no exception. Do you have a tooth that you’ve always felt is too short or too long and stands out in photos? A gap that is becoming more noticeable between your teeth? Or maybe you feel all your teeth look short and you want a “toothier” smile. We will collaborate with you and your cosmetic dentist to design and achieve a smile that…makes you smile.

As a periodontal office, we wish for our patients to be able to maintain all their natural teeth. But when gum disease gets uncontrollable, cavities get too large, or teeth are too far worn and fractured, dental implants can be a wonderful replacement. Implants can replace one or all of your teeth in a range of ways. With careful planning and good understanding of your health and goals, implants may be your best investment. Our office will care for all the surgical aspects involved with an implant – tooth extraction, bone preservation, bone and gum regeneration, and implant placement. Your general dentist will then create the tooth or teeth that attach to the implants.

Sometimes a tooth is just too short for appropriate function and restoration – perhaps a cavity or fracture has gotten into the gumline. Crown lengthening can save teeth that would otherwise not be restorable. Dr. Ishii completes these procedures routinely and saves many teeth.

Lasers have become extremely popular to use for surgical procedures due to its ability to disinfect and reduce post operative pain and bleeding. Dr. Ishii uses a soft tissue laser to do procedures such as frenectomies, gingivectomies, and soft tissue biopsies.

TMD and Myofascial Pain Syndrome are often diagnosed in our office because the pain caused by them can feel like a toothache. TMJ health is critical for the long term health of your occlusion (bite) and periodontium and should be assessed regularly. If any joint disease or degeneration is suspected, CT imaging and our local team of specialists will be recommended.