Periodontal Therapy

Dental Services

K.H.

My family and I have been a client of Dr. Steven Leach for 13 years. He has been a very positive influence concerning oral health. After consulting with Dr. Leach concerning a very crooked front tooth, he advised me and we came to the conclusion that we need to crown the teeth. His staff was encouraging, very kind and helpful with the decisions that needed to be made. Dr. Leach took great care to make sure that everything went according to plan. When it was time to fit the new teeth he was meticulous and the outcome was beyond my wildest hopes. For the first time I had a smile that I could really be proud of. Dr. Leach’s expertise, his excellent staff, and the lab made what could have been a harrowing experience a very enjoyable one.
Thank you Dr. Leach, “She said with a smile”!

K.H.

K.S.

Dr. Leach and his staff accommodated me on short notice to help fix my chipped tooth. The tooth looks GREAT! Dr. Leach uses the latest techniques in dentistry and I am extremely happy to call him my dentist.

K.S.

Stephanie R.

Today I have a smile I am confident in. I chose Bioclear because it does not damage the teeth and it can be done in one appointment. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Leach and his staff. He listened to me and customized the treatment to my liking.

Stephanie R.

D.D.

After recent orthodontic treatment I ended up with black triangles between my lower front teeth. After doing some research online, I found out that Dr. Leach was a certified Bioclear Doctor. I drove 7 hours to have him treat my lower black triangles. I am beyond happy with the job he did! So worth the trip! Thank you so much for the beautiful outcome and the stress free and pain free experience!

D.D.

P.K.

Thank you all for your great service, kind care, and sweet attitudes. I love being your patient, blessings!

P.K.

J.M.

Dr. Leach did a magnificent job on my teeth. He did some bonding to fill in some spaces and my teeth look just perfect. I am completely happy with the great job he did! He also did the work with no discomfort whatsoever and without even numbing. I was very comfortable the whole time.

J.M.

C.R.

Wow, my dental appointments were actually looked at as a pleasant experience, since Dr. Leach and his staff are so capable and sincere – and there was no discomfort as one usually expects.

C.R.

Traci S.

Thank you for everything leading up to and the day of my visit for Bioclear. I’m so happy with the results from the procedure and I appreciate all of the information everyone provided during the process. Thanks so much to you, Dr. Leach, for investing your time and talents in making this procedure available in our state. I’m very grateful for all of the kindness and care everyone gave to me. The office visits, phone conversations, and really all of my interactions with your office were very positive and put me at ease. Thank you so much for all that you all do!

Traci S.

Katie W.

Dear Dr. Leach,  I just wanted to tell you thank you for my beautiful veneers! I love them and get compliments on them all the time. Thank you again!

Katie W.

Many people assume that losing teeth is a natural part of getting older. But that’s not a given thing. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular visits to Steven Leach Dental for examinations and cleanings are a great way to improve the longevity of your smile.

In addition to caring for the teeth themselves, it’s critical to also care for surrounding structures: gums and bone.

Gum disease, which is a bacterial infection is a threat to these supporting structures. For this reason our professionals are always on the lookout for early signs of gum disease, and then advise on appropriate therapies, should gum disease present itself.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Therapy Procedures

The goal of periodontal therapy is to restore diseased tissues to health, regardless of the cause. Gum disease can spread from gums to bones. It can even cause tooth loss. Fortunately, for patients dealing with Gum Disease, Dr. Leach has a variety of effective therapies to bring to bear. Periodontal therapy can be either surgical or non-surgical, depending on the situation. Steven Leach Dental can guide you as you choose a therapeutic approach.

  • Scaling and Root Planing. This deep cleaning technique is the best initial step to controlling gum disease.Plaque and calculus (aka tartar) are removed from beneath gum tissue. This therapy uses hand scalers and/or ultrasonic tools.
  • Gum Grafting. Occasionally it become necessary to replace lost gum tissue in order to protect the roots of the tooth. Dr. Leach can remove healthy gum tissue from one area and move it to where it’s needed. He can also insert lab-processed donor tissue.
  • Periodontal Plastic Surgery. “Plastic” refers to any procedure that involves reshaping gum tissue in order to create a more pleasing appearance.
  • Periodontal Laser Treatment. Dr. Leach can remove diseased gum tissue with the help of laser treatment. This approach is less uncomfortable than conventional surgery and causes less shrinkage of gum tissue.
  • Crown Lengthening Surgery. This surgical procedure exposes tooth structure that is covered by gum and bone tissue. Crown lengthening is used for cosmetic purposes (e.g. to make teeth longer, or a smile less “gummy”) or to help secure a dental crown to the existing tooth.
  • Dental Implants. The preferred method of tooth replacement is a titanium dental implant. The implant is surgically inserted beneath the gum line, directly into the jawbone. A realistic dental crown is then attached to the implant above the gum line and is indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

Your Role in Periodontal Health

Dental plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease. So, daily flossing and brushing is essential in preventing plaque accumulation and potential gum disease. Contrary to what you may think, brushing harder (ie. scrubbing teeth) is actually detrimental to gum health and can cause gums to recede. And while great oral hygiene is key to gum health, there are simply places you just can’t reach with a toothbrush and floss. So, regular dental exams with Dr. Leach are critical for early detection and prevention of gum disease.

Eating a nutritious diet, avoiding sugar, and avoiding all forms of tobacco will also help keep gums happy and healthy, and increase your chances of keeping your teeth healthy for a lifetime.