Periodontal Therapy
Most Americans experience some form of periodontal disease, often without realizing it. Periodontal disease is chiefly responsible for adult tooth loss, bleeding gums, bad breath and receding gums. The truth is, periodontal disease is easily prevented with proper hygiene, adequate home care, and routine professional treatment. If diagnosed in its early stages, gum disease treatments are easier, less invasive, and more effective. Your visit with Dr. Sexton includes a complete evaluation of your gums and supportive tissues.

If you have been diagnosed with and treated for periodontal (gum) disease, regularly scheduled supportive therapy is vitally important to your success in management of disease progression. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “following a course of active periodontal treatment and periodic ongoing care at regularly prescribed intervals is essential. Because periodontal disease or infection can recur, continuous maintenance is absolutely necessary to prevent this periodontal infection from becoming active once again and from destroying what healing has occurred.”
The following treatment is included in your periodontal maintenance appointment:

• Evaluation of oral health to detect subtle signs of disease recurrence.
• Appropriate debridement of teeth and gums (professional cleaning and polishing).
• Antimicrobial therapy to destroy difficult to reach bacteria as deemed necessary by the doctor.
• Evaluation of homecare regimes and aids.
• Oral health evaluation including oral cancer screening, necessary dental films, and decay detection.
• Treatment recommendations based on your individual needs, as a result of your medical and dental history reviews.

Nightguard/NTI
When your teeth do not align properly while you sleep, the muscles in your face and jaw cannot relax, resulting in headaches, migraines, neck pain, and other ailments. Additionally, chipped, cracked, or broken teeth may occur, as well as periodontal (gum tissue) breakdown.

A NightGuard is a customized bite appliance that is worn while you sleep. Dr. Sexton specially designs your night guard so it will allow your jaw to relax and rest while you slumber, eliminating the issues that stem from clenching and grinding. If you think you may suffer from nighttime clenching and grinding of your teeth (bruxism), you are just an appointment away from finding the path toward relief.

ClearCorrect™
You can straighten your teeth without metal braces! ClearCorrect™ is an FDA approved system that uses clear, removable aligners to incrementally straighten your teeth. There are no uncomfortable brackets or wires, and because you remove the aligners to eat and drink, there are no food restrictions or problems with brushing or flossing.

ClearCorrect™ uses 3D computer imaging to map-out your entire treatment plan in advance, allowing you to see what your teeth will look like before you begin treatment. Then, using the imaging, a series of custom aligners are created that will move your teeth incrementally. Over time, you will replace each aligner with the next aligner in the sequence. Most people will never even notice that you are undergoing treatment!

Sleep Apnea Appliances
Millions of people suffer from snoring, and in serious cases, from sleep apnea. In a patient with these conditions, the position of the structures of the mouth obstructs air flow during sleep, causing the patient to snore, and at times, to stop breathing for up to a minute or more at a time. The quality of sleep for both the patient and for their partner suffers tremendously. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be very dangerous. Dr. Sexton can help patients with sleep apnea overcome their condition. Treatment may include the use of a customized mouthpiece, which comfortably repositions the structures of the mouth, allowing for clear breathing and uninterrupted sleep. If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, ask Morristown TN Dentist Dr. Sexton about your treatment options today!