Dental Hygiene / Periodontal

Check-ups are necessary, as it is important to main optimum oral health to treat any issues as they arise. We don’t all need significant treatment, but we all need the confidence that our dentist will treat each patient, no matter how minor the treatment, with the same precision as they would a complex task.

In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and help you make adjustments to your routine where needed. Dr. Burger will also make suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants or night guards to protect against bruxism and TMJ.

If we feel that you are suffering from gingivitis or more severe gum disease, we may recommend root scaling and planing. These measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you to keep your natural teeth for years to come.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During a dental exam, Dr. Burger will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches, or recurring sore areas.

Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated. Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure in which the doctor or hygienist removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from the pockets, because aside from the bacterial toxins that irritate the gums, plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar make it easier for bacteria to gain a foothold and could lead to bone loss.