Uncategorized Archives | McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics and Implants

Why May I Have Bad Breath In Fort Lauderdale, FL?

Bad breath in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a condition characterized by an unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth. It can be occasional or chronic, depending on its underlying cause. Bad breath can be the result of several factors, including poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, oral infections, tobacco use, or certain foods.

There are numerous other reasons why people may develop bad breath. Continue reading to learn more about what causes bad breath.

What Is Bad Breath In Fort Lauderdale, FL?

Having bad breath may be more than eating a meal with onions. Halitosis is a serious problem

people deal with that cause’s chronic bad breath. When people experience bad breath regularly, and are embarrassed about speaking to people, then they should seek dental attention. What is the culprit for smelly breath?

Unfortunately, there are many reasons that can cause bad breath. When people seek dental treatment after noticing this reoccurring problem, here are some of the reasons why they have bad breath.

Oral Health:

One of the top candidates for causing stinky breath is oral health. Not keeping up with oral hygiene causes bad breath for many, because of lingering food particles and bacteria formation. Brushing the tongue is important to helping cure this stink. Along with brushing the tongue, brushing teeth twice a day along with flossing will help people maintain good breath.

Decay:

Decay is another bad breath culprit. Decay begins with poor oral health as well, but really takes

place when the left-over food and debris begin to rot. When this occurs, people’s mouth and

tongue will begin to give off an odor. Again, keeping up with your oral hygiene will help prevent people from developing dental decay that causes bad breath.

Not Enough Saliva:

When people aren’t producing enough saliva, their mouth begins to get stale. Without the proper saliva production, they will have a dry mouth that is prone to bad breath. Saliva helps clean people’s mouths, naturally washing away food particles. When people do not have proper amounts of saliva forming, bad breath is likely to begin.

Come To Our Office So We Can Treat Your Bad Breath

If you’re suffering from embarrassingly bad breath, then you should come to our skilled and trusted office. We will be able to help you combat bad breath. No matter the cause for your bad breath, there is a way to solve it. Why wait to improve your breath with us? Get in contact with Dr. Tom McCawley and our exceptional team at our McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics & Implants office to schedule an appointment today!

Why Choose Dental Implants To Replace Teeth?

Experiencing missing teeth? The loss of even a single tooth can be devastating to surrounding tooth structures. Missing teeth can also extend beyond a person’s oral health and have negative side effects on their social life as well. Dental implants are by far the best, permanent solution for missing teeth in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

For Those Who Have Missing Teeth

Tooth loss can occur for many different reasons, including because of advanced periodontal disease and trauma. With over 178 million people affected, tooth loss is extremely common among U.S. adults.

A person’s appearance, chewing ability and self-confidence are all compromised when they have a missing tooth. If treatment is delayed, tooth loss also invites other oral problems, including bone loss. Believe it or not, however, it is a treatable problem.

While dentures were the preferred method of replacing missing teeth for many years, patients are now realizing the long term functional and cosmetic benefits of dental implants. Dental implants are highly regarded as the ideal tooth replacement solution, for many cases, in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Dental Implants Are The Solution

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, many patients turn to dental implants for a tooth replacement treatment – and for good reason. Dental implants are the only solution that mimics natural tooth structures, is the closest looking to natural teeth, and prevents further breakdown of the jawbone. This is because a dental implant’s post acts like the root of a natural tooth, stimulating the patient’s jawbone. If properly taken care of, dental implants can last a patient for the rest of their life.

Most importantly, selecting the right dental professional for the job, is key to a patient ensuring their implants and results are long lasting. Consider an experienced dentist with the education, advanced, technology, skilled team, and caring environment to get the job done properly.

Get Excited For A Smile Today With Dental Implants

Are you ready to start your journey towards a new and improved smile? Get in contact with our doctors, Dr. Tom McCawley and Dr. Mark McCawley, in our office by Fort Lauderdale, FL to schedule an appointment today!

Advantages of Laser Dentistry

Treating gum disease at your periodontist in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, has often involved gum surgery in the past. If gum disease, also known as periodontitis, advances far enough, it requires more extensive intervention to get the mouth in a healthy state again. These days, instead of simply cutting through healthy tissue to get to the infected areas, Dr. Tom McCawley and Dr. Mark McCawley can use laser dentistry for more effective treatment.

What Is Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry involves the use of a laser that targets diseased tissue and cuts it away without having to cut into healthy tissue. This involves appropriate training with the laser tool, which is why you should choose your dental professional carefully.

How Does It Benefit You?

In the past, patients were required to take days off from work to prepare and recover from traditional gum surgery. Laser treatment offers a number of benefits over the traditional route:

It is minimally invasive, which means much less cutting
It is less painful, making treatment easier on you
It includes a quicker recovery, which means you get back to your normal routine faster
It targets diseased tissue without adversely affecting the healthy tissue

Why Do Minimally Invasive Options Matter?

In today’s busy world, you do not have time to take days or weeks off from work and your social obligations to recover from dental surgery. Minimally invasive options are ideal because they provide the treatment you need with minimal interference in your daily life. You experience less pain as a result and can get back to normal much faster with a healthier mouth.

How Can You Schedule an Appointment?

If you are concerned about the state of your gums, it may be time to visit your periodontist in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We offer a number of treatment options to get your gums back to their healthy state, including laser options. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment with Dr. McCawley.

Why You Should Choose a Periodontist for Dental Implants

Many patients are unaware of what makes a periodontist different than a general dentist, especially when it comes to the placement of dental implants. A periodontist is a dental specialist who has received an additional three years of training focused on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. This additional education gives periodontists an in-depth knowledge of surgical procedures and how to perform them for improved success.

While it is true that many general dentists can place dental implants themselves, there are many reasons you should still choose a periodontist in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dental implants can last a long time, often the rest of a patient’s life if they are properly cared for. This also means that the mouth needs to have healthy gums, bone and be free of disease. Periodontal (gum) disease is a common concern for many patients and often restricts the ability to have implants placed until the disease is cleared and the patient has healthy gums again. Periodontists are also specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease to ensure a successful implant placement.

Since dental implants are a surgical procedure, there is a risk of complications if the doctor does not have advanced training. Studies have shown that implants placed by specialists have a lower rate of complications than those placed by general dentists. Most implants placed by periodontists have a 98% success rate! Why risk this significant investment to your health and happiness to anyone less than a specialist in implantology?

When replacing a missing tooth, you want it your dental implant to look natural and blend seamlessly in with your existing teeth. This is an aesthetic touch that periodontists study and understand. A periodontist is able to replace a missing tooth in a highly aesthetic area, like a front tooth, to make it blend in with your natural teeth and gums. This is a challenging location to place an implant as there is almost zero room for error. Choosing a specialist ensures that your new tooth is restored with attractiveness in mind.

Drs. Tom and Mark McCawley are experienced periodontists in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and are specialized in the placement of dental implants to improve health and aesthetics to the mouth. If you are seeking to replace missing teeth with dental implants, schedule a consultation at our office today!

Advantages of PST™ vs. Gum Grafting to Correct Gum Recession

When assessing your smile, there are several factors that can make you look older than you are, such as stained or misshapen teeth, missing teeth, and gum recession. Gum recession is an erosion of the periodontal tissue, which causes more of the tooth surface to be exposed, and is typically the result of gum disease. Previously, if you wanted to correct your receding gums in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, a periodontist would perform traditional gum grafting, a method of surgically transferring donor tissue from one area of the mouth to another. With the Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST™), Dr. Tom McCawley restores gum tissue without the need for scalpels, incisions, or sutures.

Main Benefits of PST™ as Compared to Gum Grafting

PST™ utilizes the periodontal tissue that you already have, but unlike gum grafting, PST™ does not require that the donor tissue be removed and stitched to a new location. Your doctor will use a special tool to loosen your connective tissue and gently pull the gum tissue to a more desirable position on the tooth.
With PST™, you get a dramatically improved smile in a single session that offers immediate results. Gum grafting, on the other hand, requires a longer recovery period while the new tissue integrates with the existing tissue. In some cases, multiple grafting sessions are necessary due to the need for donor tissue.
Both methods allow your doctor to safely and effectively treat receding gums in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. However, PST™ patients report less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort.

Patients who wish to restore the health of their gums and improve their appearance, turn to Dr. McCawley for PST™. This advanced, minimally invasive treatment can replace lost gum tissue in a single visit. Call our office to schedule your consultation with our skilled periodontist who can determine whether you are a good candidate for this procedure.

The Power of Laser Dentistry

There are many options for dental treatments when you head to your periodontist to discuss your periodontal disease and general oral health. However, one of the best is laser dentistry, which is why our periodontists at McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics and Implants incorporates these procedures in their office. Before you determine which procedures are best for you, it is best to know more about your options.

What is It?

As the name suggests, this type of procedure incorporates the use of lasers. There are two types of lasers that might be incorporated, depending on the procedure: hard tissue or soft tissue. Hard tissue lasers are typically used when it is necessary to cut through the teeth or bone, such as when there is a dental filling or detecting cavities. Soft tissue lasers are incorporated more often for treating gum disease, since it has the ability to reshape the tissue or for periodontal treatment.

The Benefits of This Procedure

There are many benefits to choosing laser dentistry. For one, it is more precise to treat gum disease, which makes it more effective. Additionally, you gain from the following advantages:

• No anesthesia required
• Reduce infections due to the laser sterilizing the area
• Minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue
• Reduced time to heal
• Reduced bleeding, lowering the risk of excessive blood loss
• Less need for stitches

Because the laser is able to mitigate many of the more invasive components of more traditional dental procedures, you can be back to normal much faster. You also are at a reduced risk of complications, which is why many people choose this procedure over others.

Learn More

Many patients choose this type of procedure because it is minimally invasive and more comfortable than traditional treatments. The downtime is minimal, and there is a reduced risk of complications like infection. Contact us to learn more and schedule a consultation with Dr. Tom McCawley or Dr. Mark McCawley to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.

3 Seemingly Unrelated Health Problems That Can Be Caused by Gum Recession

If you are like most adults, you probably pay a lot of attention to your teeth but not enough to your gums. While sparkling teeth are a good indicator of a healthy mouth, the health of your gums is also important and may be neglected even if you brush and floss regularly. In addition to being unsightly, gum recession can lead to periodontal disease, which may cause other health problems.

Heart Disease

Receding gums can cause bacteria to enter the mouth and cause gum disease. If that bacteria then manages to enter your bloodstream, they can attach to the fatty deposits in the blood vessels around your heart. Eventually, clots could form and lead to heart disease, an all-encompassing term that includes coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and heart attack.

Stroke

In addition to heart disease, gum disease can also mean a higher risk of having a stroke. In fact, research shows that patients who have had an ischemic stroke often also had oral infections. Like heart disease, stroke can occur when the bacteria from your gums enters your bloodstream.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

People who suffer from periodontal disease may be at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Commonly referred to as RA, this type of arthritis occurs when your immune system begins attacking your joint linings. It is typically symmetrical, affecting both knees, wrists, hands or other body parts. RA is also linked to problems with the skin, lungs, nerves, eyes and heart.

In addition to the above health problems, people who suffer from gum disease may also suffer from dementia and diabetes. Pregnant women may give birth to their babies prematurely. For this reason, it is very important to see a periodontist such as our own Dr. Tom McCawley or Dr. Mark McCawley if you suspect you are suffering from gum recession in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. By treating the problem now, you are more likely to avoid periodontal disease and the resulting health problems.

How LAPIP® Can Save Infected Dental Implants

Dental implants can be an effective treatment for patients who have lost one or more teeth, especially since implants function like natural teeth in many ways. However, just as periodontal disease can affect natural teeth with inflammation, gum recession, and bone loss, peri-implantitis can have many of the same effects on the area surrounding implants. If you are noticing the signs of oral infection around your dental implants, it is imperative to contact Drs. Tom and Mark McCawely immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis is often essential to treatments that can heal the infection, stop bone loss, and save the implants. One possible treatment is LAPIP® (laser assisted peri-implantitis procedure), which Dr. McCawely may recommend depending on your unique circumstances.

Why LAPIP® Is Important for Dental Implants

Peri-implantitis is essentially an oral infection that occurs in the bone and soft tissue around dental implants. Bacteria becomes trapped in the space between the gum tissue and the implant and causes gum recession as well as bone loss. This weakening of the bone structure can affect the security and fit of the dental implants, and can even cause implants to fail if left untreated. The LAPIP® laser therapy treatment works on peri-implantitis just as traditional laser therapy helps reverse gum disease around natural teeth.

How LAPIP® Works

The LAPIP® treatment involves precisely targeting a specialized laser at the area around the implant to remove diseased tissue and kill harmful bacteria. Along with removing the source of the infection, LAPIP® stimulates the growth of healthy new bone to secure the implant and improve overall oral health. Laser therapy is less invasive than traditional gum surgery and can offer many benefits to patients, including minimal pain and a quick recovery time.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you are noticing pain or inflammation around your dental implants, call our Fort Lauderdale periodontists right away for a consultation. Drs. Tom and Mark McCawely have years of experience treating gum disease and can develop a customized plan to address your peri-implantitis and restore your oral health.

Know When You Need Chao Pinhole® Surgical Gum Line Treatment

Gum disease is a common problem that leads to sensitive teeth, damage to the jaw bone, and tooth loss. When it is caught early enough, it can be treated by cleaning, but advanced cases require surgical correction. Tom and Mark McCawley are periodontists that specialize in correcting problems caused by decay and receding gums in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

What Is Gum Disease?

This disease is a bacterial infection caused by improper dental hygiene. The debris from the food you eat accumulates on your teeth. Overtime, the decayed material seeps below the gum line where it cannot be removed without professional help.

Eventually, the bacteria cause the following symptoms:

• Red, swollen and irritated gums

• Bleeding while brushing or flossing

• Loose teeth

• Bad breath or chronic halitosis

• Foul taste in your mouth

• Receding gum lines

• Sensitive teeth that respond to hot and cold extremes

If left untreated gum disease can cause permanent damage.

Correcting a Receding Gum Line

Older surgical techniques are invasive and painful. Your doctor begins by removing a clean piece of gum tissue from an unaffected section of your mouth, which is then used to rebuild your gums around your teeth. It takes time to heal, and you are left with sutures in your mouth.

The new Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is preferred whenever possible. It is faster, and does not require the deep incisions and sutures that take time to heal. The procedure takes one to two hours and is effective immediately.

The basic procedure is simple:

• The treated area is numbed.

• A pinhole sized opening in the gums is created.

• A specially designed tool is used to lift your gums away from your teeth and move them into position.

• The gums are secured in place with collagen strips to ensure they heal properly.

Instead of unsightly sutures, you will have a repaired gum line the day that the procedure is performed. Most patients report only a minimum of discomfort with this method. Covering the exposed nerves of your teeth reduces their sensitivity to extreme temperatures right away.

To find out if you are a candidate for this procedure, contact our offices at 1-866-898-8251. Schedule your appointment for a consultation today.

4 Types of Gum Disease to Learn About This National Gum Care Month

There are a lot of facts you can learn about gum disease this National Gum Care Month in September. You may hear about common symptoms, risks or treatments. You can also learn a few basics about the different types of gum disease in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

1. Gingivitis: A reversible disease, gingivitis, is fairly mild when compared to other gum afflictions. This disease is usually associated with little to no discomfort of the gums, but inflammation, bleeding and redness is common. The causes of this illness usually include poor oral health, such as a lack of proper brushing and flossing. Other factors may make a person more susceptible to this disease.

2. Chronic Periodontitis: When gingivitis goes untreated, it can morph into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis, which occurs when plaque is embedded under the gum line. The plaque, which is full of bacteria, irritates the gums to the point where the body’s inflammatory response starts attacking the bones and tissue that support the teeth. Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of periodontitis and is differentiated by the pocket formation and potential recession of the gums.

3. Necrosis: Another form of periodontitis, necrotizing periodontal disease is characterized by lesions on the gums. The loss of the gum tissues, alveolar bone and periodontal ligaments which causes the lesions is often found in a patient who also suffers from a systemic condition, such as malnutrition or an HIV infection.

4. System Diseases: Some forms of periodontitis manifest because of a different problem within the body. Conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease, may lead to a unique type of periodontitis, or vice versa.

It is important you are familiar with the different types of gum disease in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, so you can take proper care of your gums. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas K. McCawley or Dr. Mark N. McCawley by calling 954-703-6707 today.