Toggle navigation
William C Strutz DDS

Practice Limited to Periodontics
7070 Renner Road Shawnee, KS 66217
(913) 268-0808

  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: September, 2016

You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession

By William C Strutz DDS Practice limited to Periodontics
September 23, 2016
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: gum recession  
YouMayNeedSurgerytoRepairtheDamageofGumRecession

Gum recession is an all too common problem for millions of people that if left untreated could lead to tooth and bone loss. But the good news is not only can the process be stopped, much of the damage can also be repaired through periodontal plastic surgery.

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue protecting the teeth detaches and draws back to expose the root surface. This exposure may result in a range of effects, from minor tooth sensitivity to eventual tooth loss. There are a number of causes for gum recession, including overaggressive brushing or flossing, biting habits or badly fitting dentures or appliances.

The most prominent cause, though, is periodontal (gum) disease, a bacterial infection triggered by plaque buildup on tooth surfaces due to poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, early gum disease is highly treatable by thoroughly cleaning tooth, root and gum surfaces of plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits), along with possible antibiotic therapy, to reduce the infection and promote tissue healing.

Unfortunately, advanced cases of gum recession may have already resulted in extensive damage to the tissues themselves. While disease treatment can stimulate some re-growth, some cases may require reconstructive surgery to repair and further rebuild the tissues.

There are several techniques periodontists (specialists in gums, bone and other dental support structures) or dentists with advanced training can perform to “re-model” recessed gum tissues. One of the major areas is placing tissue grafts (either from the patient or a human donor) at the site to encourage further tissue growth. Properly affixing a graft requires a great deal of training, skill and experience, especially in cases where the graft may need to be connected with adjoining tissues to establish a viable blood supply for the graft.

In skilled hands, a periodontal surgical procedure is fairly predictable with minimal discomfort afterward. And the lasting effects are well-worth it — not only will your health benefit from restored gum tissue and greater protection for your teeth, you’ll also enjoy a more attractive smile.

If you would like more information the treatment of gum recession, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal Plastic Surgery.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer

By William C Strutz DDS Practice limited to Periodontics
September 08, 2016
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   braces   orthodontics  
EdenSherandtheLostRetainer

Fans of the primetime TV show The Middle were delighted to see that high school senior Sue, played by Eden Sher, finally got her braces off at the start of Season 6. But since this popular sitcom wouldn’t be complete without some slapstick comedy, this happy event is not without its trials and tribulations: The episode ends with Sue’s whole family diving into a dumpster in search of the teen’s lost retainer. Sue finds it in the garbage and immediately pops it in her mouth. But wait — it doesn’t fit, it’s not even hers!

If you think this scenario is far-fetched, guess again. OK, maybe the part about Sue not washing the retainer upon reclaiming it was just a gag (literally and figuratively), but lost retainers are all too common. Unfortunately, they’re also expensive to replace — so they need to be handled with care. What’s the best way to do that? Retainers should be brushed daily with a soft toothbrush and liquid soap (dish soap works well), and then placed immediately back in your mouth or into the case that came with the retainer. When you are eating a meal at a restaurant, do not wrap your retainer in a napkin and leave it on the table — this is a great way to lose it! Instead, take the case with you, and keep the retainer in it while you’re eating. When you get home, brush your teeth and then put the retainer back in your mouth.

If you do lose your retainer though, let us know right away. Retention is the last step of your orthodontic treatment, and it’s extremely important. You’ve worked hard to get a beautiful smile, and no one wants to see that effort wasted. Yet if you neglect to wear your retainer as instructed, your teeth are likely to shift out of position. Why does this happen?

As you’ve seen firsthand, teeth aren’t rigidly fixed in the jaw — they can be moved in response to light and continuous force. That’s what orthodontic appliances do: apply the right amount of force in a carefully controlled manner. But there are other forces at work on your teeth that can move them in less predictable ways. For example, normal biting and chewing can, over time, cause your teeth to shift position. To get teeth to stay where they’ve been moved orthodontically, new bone needs to form around them and anchor them where they are. That will happen over time, but only if they are held in place with a retainer. That’s why it is so important to wear yours as directed — and notify us immediately if it gets lost.

And if ever you do have to dig your retainer out of a dumpster… be sure to wash it before putting in in your mouth!

If you would like more information on retainers, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers” and “Why Orthodontic Retainers?”


0 Comment(s) Permalink


October (2) August (2)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • January (2)
        • You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
        • Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Keeping Your Smile Healthy Through the Holidays
        • Even if a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Could Save your Tooth
      • November (3)
        • Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
      • October (3)
        • Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
        • Guide Your Older Children or Teens through These 3 Oral Health Areas
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
      • September (3)
        • Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
        • Grafting can Help Regenerate Gum Tissue Lost Through Recession
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
      • August (4)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • 10 Tips to Tame Bad Breath
        • Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
        • Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
      • July (3)
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
        • Make Dental Care a Priority When You're Pregnant
      • June (3)
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • 4 Causes for Gum Recession and What We Can Do About It
      • May (3)
        • Get an Early Start Treating Root Resorption Before it's Too Late
        • Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • April (2)
        • Root Planing Cleans Plaque from Tooth Roots Without Surgery
        • Managing Diabetes and Gum Disease Together will Lessen the Effect of Both
      • March (2)
        • Bone Loss: the Hidden Consequence of Your Missing Teeth
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
      • February (3)
        • Difficult or Not, Plaque Removal is Necessary for Stopping Gum Disease
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
        • Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
      • January (2)
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
        • Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
      • November (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
      • October (2)
        • Lasers Beginning to Change Some Root Canal Procedures
        • There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
      • September (2)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
      • August (3)
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • Instill in Your Child the Daily Habit of Brushing and Flossing
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • July (2)
        • Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
      • June (2)
        • Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • May (2)
        • We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • April (2)
        • There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • March (3)
        • Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Daily Hygiene Tasks Performed Properly Help Ensure Good Oral Health
      • February (1)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • January (3)
        • Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Success with Dental Implants Depends on Attention to Detail
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
      • November (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
      • October (3)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Your Gum Tissue 'Biotype' Could Determine How Gum Disease Affects You
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
      • September (2)
        • You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • August (2)
        • A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
      • July (3)
        • Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Restore Health as Well as Appearance to Gums
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
      • June (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Provide Better Fit and may Stop Bone Loss
      • May (2)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Word Quiz on Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
      • March (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Issues to Consider Before Dental Implants
      • February (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Root Resorption in Adult Teeth is a Cause for Concern
      • January (2)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Implant-Based Removable Dentures a Good Choice for Patients with Extensive Bone Loss
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • The Implant Process can be Shortened, Depending on the Tooth Type
      • November (2)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
      • October (2)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Timing is Everything When Replacing a Teenager's Missing Tooth
      • September (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Improving a 'Gummy Smile' Depends on its Cause
      • August (2)
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • 4 Tips for Instilling Good Family Hygiene Habits
      • July (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
      • June (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • The Many Advantages of Dental Implants
      • May (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Regular Cleanings Benefit Both Your Dental Health and Your Smile
      • April (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • dental implants (18)
  • crowns (3)
  • celebrity smiles (42)
  • dental cleanings (1)
  • oral hygiene (17)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • gum disease (13)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • braces (5)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • wisdom teeth (2)
  • missing tooth (1)
  • orthodontics (3)
  • dentures (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (2)
  • root resorption (2)
  • root canal (3)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • dental specialists (1)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • implant overdentures (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • cosmetic gum surgery (1)
  • dental injury (5)
  • gum recession (5)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • oral health (7)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (4)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • dental cleaning (1)
  • periodontal disease (3)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • bad breath (2)
  • root canal treatment (4)
  • orthodontic treatment (4)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • chipped tooth (2)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • tooth pain (2)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • hiv (1)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • retainers (1)
  • bone loss (2)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • root planing (1)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • sinus surgery (1)
  • oral cancer (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • periodontal surgery (1)
  • smile makeover (1)
  • apioectomy (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (59)
  • Oral Health (45)


Leave us a Review!

 

 

 

Top 10 dentistry clinics in Shawnee 2015
A Shawnee Dentist winner of the 2015 Patients' Choice Awards.
Verified by Opencare.com

 

Our Location

7070 Renner Road
Shawnee, KS 66217
(913) 268-0808

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dentist Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map