NetWellness Gum Diseases

Keratinized Tissue Treatment

Richard Jurevic DDS, PhD — Sat, 28 May 2011 13:05:00 EST

Question: I`m told that I have keratinized tissue (like a callus) in a small part of my mouth. It doesn`t hurt to the touch, but it causes pressure and pain, and throws off my bite. Is this likely to get worse over time? And what are the usual types of treatment for this condition? Thanks very much.

Answer:

There are a number of possible causes for hyperkeratinization, most are the result of some form of trauma or chronic irritation. I would presume that the lesion is white, is it raised? Does it have a pebbly texture or corrugated texture? Where is it in the mouth? How long has it been there? What . . .

Ask an Expert: Richard Jurevic DDS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Beginnings of Periodontitis?

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:04:00 EST

Question: I recently had a checkup in which my dentist said everything as fine but there was a little build up of plaque on my bottom teeth - I have a fixed retainer on them and to see the hygienist. However, once I wasn`t thinking this would be a big problem but he said that there was the beginnings of perio . . .

Answer: The last time you were seen, the hygienist probably removed plaque and calculus and performed some subgingival scaling to remove debris from your root surfaces. Since you already have the beginnings of periodontitis, your dentist is noticing some bone loss in this area. The procedure already perform . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Black Spit

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:03:00 EST

Question: After flossing I had some bleeding. After rinsing my mouth with water I rinsed a second time with Listerine mouth wash. My spit was black. Why?

Answer: It is probably due to blood coloring listerine. It may also be smoking effect (if you are a smoker) or diet effect (coffee/tea etc. staining).

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Gums Won`t Heal

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:02:00 EST

Question: In November I had a bone graft, where a tooth had been pulled. The gum was infected and I took antibiodics. I went back to the dentist in January and the bone graft appears okay, but the gum was still open and unhealed. I went back again Feb 3 and the gum still hasn`t closed. The dentist sutured it . . .

Answer: A wound that has not healed in more than three months is interesting to read about. It appears that it is not hurting you, so you probably do not have exposed bone. I have to know what is exposed: bone/graft material/membrane to answer the question. If the wound is large and you have a non resorb . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Black Gums in Children

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:12:00 EST

Question: Is there any "treatment" or way to prevent dark colored gums? And does the dark colour have any relation to bad breath?

Answer: There are several reasons for black spots to develop in the mouth, including use of certain medicines or even cigarettes. Most mouth spots are benign and not serious, but there is one rare exception called oral melanoma that is related to the skin cancer of the same name. Gingival color changes may . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Gum Grafting

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:11:00 EST

Question: Which has a better long-term success rate, safety track record, and better aesthetics when considering tooth number 24 recession on a 12-year-old girl, connective tissue graft or soft tissue allograft?

Answer: It depends on the severity of the problem. We want soft tissue to protect underlying bone and root surface. If the kid has a muscle pull extending from her lip and pulling her gum line down, we know that it will get worse and it is better to take care of it before it gets worse.

Rem . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Gum Darkening

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:11:00 EST

Question: I am 61 yrs old, with type 2 diabetes for 12 yrs. Suddenly i have noticed that some teeth are showing gums turning black at its base. Only some not all. What is the cause and is there a remedy to get rid of it?

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

White Blister

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:11:00 EST

Question: Why is there a white blister on my lower gum?

Answer:

Blisters on gums may be due to several reasons:

- virutic infection (recurs when the immune system is down). Heals within 10 days.

- abscesses originating from either root canal and/or gums. It generally starts with pain, and pain is reduced if it is draini . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Gum Graft Sutures

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:11:00 EST

Question: I recently had a gum graft performed over one of my canines which had a recession exposing the root. This tooth is slightly turned forward and is crowded to where it sort of in front of the teeth on the other two sides. Within 3 days of the graft, the sutures placing the graft on the tooth had com . . .

Answer: Generally sutures become loose due to post-operative swelling (if the patient is not playing with the site). So you probably had some significant swelling, and the tooth is already rotated (meaning a little out of dental arch). These areas are hard to suture.

I hope that you are feeling . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases

Side Effects of Osseous Surgery

Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:09:00 EST

Question: I was told that I needed osseous surgery and bone grafting. What are the side effects of the surgery? I heard that after the surgery, I may have gum recession. My periodontist said he might need to open the gum of 4 teeth in order to get access to the one that has problem. Will I have gum recess . . .

Answer: When we detect bone loss around teeth together with deep residual pockets, we treat them with surgery. We can place bone graft to regenerate what is lost to disease if the shape of bone loss allows us to stabilize bone graft material.

In other cases, when we have bone loss in horizo . . .

Ask an Expert: Binnaz Leblebicioglu DDS, MS, PhD, Gum Diseases