Periodontics

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the gums and bones surrounding the teeth. It usually starts as gingivitis, which can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Left untreated, gingivitis will progress to periodontitis and become a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.

Our in-house periodontal specialist, Dr. Javier Cabrales, recommends that you visit us as soon as you experience any signs of gum problems. The earlier we assess and treat the problem, the better the outcome and more predictable the results are.

Sierra Dental is equipped with the latest in dental technology, such as lasers, digital scanning, and 3D CBCT imaging. And together with the experience of Dr. Cabrales, we can create accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment plans for our patients.

If you are looking for trusted periodontal services, our team is here to help. Book a visit with our periodontist today and let us help restore your smile and oral health.

What Does a Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a dental specialist trained to diagnose and treat concerns of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth.

At Sierra Dental, our periodontal specialist is Dr. Javier Cabrales. He brings extensive knowledge and skills in periodontal therapy to protect, treat, and maintain your oral health.

If you suffer from gum and periodontal problems, you need a diagnosis and treatment plan from a qualified periodontist as soon as possible. Here’s what you can expect from your visit:

• Comprehensive review of your dental and medical history
• Thorough examination of your mouth and gums to assess the extent of the infection
• Diagnostic tests, including X-rays and scans for a more detailed assessment
• Diagnosis of gum disease, whether gingivitis or periodontitis, including if early or advanced stage
• Customized treatment planning that may involve surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapy

Periodontal disease can have a long-term negative impact on your health if not treated as infections can rapidly spread to harm the rest of the body. So, if you suspect a problem, book a periodontal consultation at Sierra Dental today.

Meet Our Periodontists in Calgary

Dr. Javier Cabrales

Specialist in periodontal therapy, gum surgery, and dental implant placement

Dr. Javier Cabrales completed the Graduate Periodontics program at the University of Manitoba in June 2020. Prior to his periodontal specialization training, he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012 and practiced as a general dentist for three years.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Cabrales was drawn to Calgary for its vibrant energy and mountain landscapes. Outside of work, he enjoys long walks with his dog, snowboarding, cycling, and playing sports such as soccer and squash.

What Our Periodontist Can Do For You

As a periodontal specialist, Dr. Cabrales specializes in the management of periodontal disease through several treatment options and in the placement of dental implants. At Sierra Dental, Dr. Cabrales leads our periodontal team in the following specialist periodontal services:

• Limited or complete periodontal evaluation
• Surgical and non-surgical periodontal therapy
• Periodontal regeneration treatments
• Surgical implant placement
• Bone grafting, including ridge and sinus augmentation
• Tooth extractions and ridge preservation
• Gingival (gum) grafting
• Functional and esthetic crown lengthening
• Oral pathology evaluations and biopsies

At Sierra Dental, we are firmly committed to helping you enjoy your teeth for life. Periodontal care and treatment plays a crucial role in this. We design our treatment plans with your long-term oral health and well-being in mind.

In periodontal treatments, and other dental procedures, we understand that not everyone is covered by insurance plans. This can place limitations on the amount and frequency of care. Despite this, our top priority is always what best ensures your health. If cost is a concern for you, let us know. We are happy to discuss flexible financial options before beginning any treatment.

Most importantly, our team emphasizes prevention and early intervention. Our periodontal team is here to help protect your smile. Book your initial visit today!

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

At Sierra Dental, we offer a range of non-surgical periodontal treatments to help prevent gum disease from progressing. Dr. Javier Cabrales, our periodontal specialist, recommends this to be highly effective when caught early, helping you avoid surgery and serious dental issues.

Our non-surgical periodontal treatments include:

Scaling and Root Planing

Plaque and tartar that penetrate deep under the gum line can cause inflammation of the gums. This can be removed by frequent dental cleaning, or with the use of scaling and root planing. This is a deeper cleaning method that targets the tooth root below the gum line to reduce inflammation and prevent further problems.

Antimicrobial or Antibiotic Therapy

Medications may be prescribed to reduce infection-causing bacteria. This can be applied directly on the gums, taken orally, or through a tray delivery system where medication is delivered through a custom-fit tray.

Regular Dental Cleanings

Routine periodontal cleanings for patients who have gum and periodontal disease is recommended every 3-4 months for proper maintenance and prevention of recurrence of disease.

With early diagnosis and regular maintenance, it is possible to control periodontal disease and avoid surgery altogether. See your periodontist to learn more about these non-surgical treatments.

Surgical Periodontal Therapy

If your gum disease is more advanced, such as when plaque or bacteria has caused the gum to recede, non-surgical options may not be enough. Dr. Javier Cabrales recommends advanced surgical treatments to restore gum health, improve tooth stability, and enhance the smile and oral health.

Our surgical periodontal treatments include:

Gum Grafting

For patients with gum recession, or when the gums have pulled away from the teeth, a gum graft is required. For this procedure, tissue is taken from another area of the mouth, usually in the palate, to cover the exposed roots. This will restore the gumline, reduce tooth sensitivity, and improve the appearance of the smile.

Bone Grafting

When periodontal disease has led to bone loss, bone grafting is done to rebuild the jawbone. This will stabilize the teeth and prevent future tooth loss.

Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery)

This is the recommended treatment by Dr. Cabrales for advanced stage periodontal disease. The procedure involves gently lifting back the gums to remove tartar build-up. If the bone is damaged, the surface is smoothed out to prevent future bacterial growth. The main goal of this surgery is to reduce the pockets that have formed between the gum and tooth, removing space for bacteria to grow and allowing you to easily maintain oral hygiene.

Regenerative Procedures

This procedure encourages new bone and tissue growth, especially in areas affected by periodontal infection. We use membranes and tissue-stimulating proteins for effective treatment.

Crown Lengthening

This treatment involves reshaping the gum and bone level to expose more of the natural tooth. Dr. Cabrales may include this in your treatment plan if you need to have a crown placed and gums are in the way of the restoration or for cosmetic reasons to improve “gummy” smile.

Dental Implants

Our periodontal specialist, Dr. Cabrales, has advanced training in guided implant placement with a digital workflow. This helps plan where the implant should be placed for long-term treatment success. At Sierra Dental, this procedure has improved the outcome of many of our dental implant surgeries.

In addition to these treatments, our periodontist may also recommend cosmetic periodontal surgery such as crown lengthening, ridge or bone augmentation, or aesthetic gum contouring to patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile.

Surgical Periodontal Therapy

If your gum disease is more advanced, such as when plaque or bacteria has caused the gum to recede, non-surgical options may not be enough. Dr. Javier Cabrales recommends advanced surgical treatments to restore gum health, improve tooth stability, and enhance the smile and oral health.

Our surgical periodontal treatments include:

Gum Grafting

For patients with gum recession, or when the gums have pulled away from the teeth, a gum graft is required. For this procedure, tissue is taken from another area of the mouth, usually in the palate, to cover the exposed roots. This will restore the gumline, reduce tooth sensitivity, and improve the appearance of the smile.

Bone Grafting

When periodontal disease has led to bone loss, bone grafting is done to rebuild the jawbone. This will stabilize the teeth and prevent future tooth loss.

Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery)

This is the recommended treatment by Dr. Cabrales for advanced stage periodontal disease. The procedure involves gently lifting back the gums to remove tartar build-up. If the bone is damaged, the surface is smoothed out to prevent future bacterial growth. The main goal of this surgery is to reduce the pockets that have formed between the gum and tooth, removing space for bacteria to grow and allowing you to easily maintain oral hygiene.

Regenerative Procedures

This procedure encourages new bone and tissue growth, especially in areas affected by periodontal infection. We use membranes and tissue-stimulating proteins for effective treatment.

Crown Lengthening

This treatment involves reshaping the gum and bone level to expose more of the natural tooth. Dr. Cabrales may include this in your treatment plan if you need to have a crown placed and gums are in the way of the restoration or for cosmetic reasons to improve “gummy” smile.

Dental Implants

Our periodontal specialist, Dr. Cabrales, has advanced training in guided implant placement with a digital workflow. This helps plan where the implant should be placed for long-term treatment success. At Sierra Dental, this procedure has improved the outcome of many of our dental implant surgeries.

In addition to these treatments, our periodontist may also recommend cosmetic periodontal surgery such as crown lengthening, ridge or bone augmentation, or aesthetic gum contouring to patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile.

The Four Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease does not happen overnight, it develops in stages. Here’s a breakdown of how periodontal disease progresses to help our patients better understand:

1. Gingivitis

This is the earliest stage of periodontitis and commonly caused by plaque build-up around the gumline. Some symptoms you may notice are redness, swelling, bleeding of the gums when brushing or eating. The good news is that gingivitis is still reversible with professional dental cleaning and good hygiene care. But, if left unrated, it can rapidly progress.

2. Mild periodontal disease

Here, the infection begins to affect the bone and periodontal fibres that support your tooth roots. Because the bone is already at risk, a periodontist will come in for treatment and stop further damage. This usually involves deep cleaning methods, such as scaling and root planing.

3. Moderate periodontal disease

At this stage, deeper periodontal pockets have formed between the teeth and gums. These pockets are where bacteria thrive and aggressively attack the gums and bone. Our periodontal specialist, Dr. Cabrales, recommends more extensive treatment to prevent further bone loss.

4. Advanced periodontal disease

If the infection continues, the bone around the teeth can break down significantly. Some signs of advanced periodontitis are loose teeth, severe gum recession, and even tooth loss. Periodontal surgery is required to clean pockets and restore gum health. Without treatment, dentures or dental implants may be necessary to replace affected teeth.

Whether you are just in the first stages of gingivitis or already experiencing symptoms of more advanced disease, Dr. Javier Cabrales and our periodontal team can help. With our specialist in office and advanced surgical techniques, we can help patients at every stage of periodontal disease find the best treatment plan for better long-term health.

What to Expect When You Visit a Periodontist?

If you are scheduled for a visit with our in-house periodontal specialist, Dr. Cabrales, here’s what you can typically expect:

1. Initial consultation

First, you will discuss your symptoms, concerns, and goals with Dr. Cabrales. This can help him understand your situation as well as expectations moving forward in the treatment.

2. Review of medical and dental history

We will ask about your past treatments, overall health, medications, lifestyle, and other related conditions that may contribute to gum or periodontal disease.

3. Comprehensive oral exam

Next, we will check the condition of your teeth and gums. We will check for signs of gum recession, inflammation, or infection. If recommended, your periodontist may recommend an X-ray or scan for a detailed look of the bones surrounding your teeth.

4. Pocket measurement

One of the signs of periodontal disease is gum pockets. We will measure the depth of these pockets using a probe. Deep gum pockets mean loss of bone around the teeth, indicating periodontal disease

Personalized Treatment Plan and Prevention Tips

After the assessment, our periodontal team will customize your treatment plan. And as well as treating you, we will also recommend some tips on how to care for your gums at home to keep future gum disease at bay. These include:

• Proper brushing and flossing techniques
• The type of toothbrush to use and best brushing practices
• How to reduce plaque build-up
• Use of antiseptic mouthwash
• Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking

Book a Visit With a Trusted Periodontist

We understand how overwhelming gum issues can feel, but with the right periodontist, these problems can be resolved to restore your best smile and oral health. Our experienced in-house periodontal specialist combines advanced treatment approaches, modern dental technology, and compassionate care for our patients.

With our periodontal solutions, our goal is to help you smile comfortably and confidently for many years to come. Whether you are in need of routine cleaning or need advanced periodontal therapy, we are here to help.

Book a consultation today at (403) 297-9600 for specialist care. We accept new patients, no referral required!