Periodontics
If you suffer from advanced gum disease, tooth loss, or cosmetic imperfections affecting your gums, you need care from a specialist.
Periodontics is a specialized field of dentistry focusing on the health and appearance of the gums and structures that support the teeth.
When should you schedule a visit to Justin M Schlaikjer, DDS, MS Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in St. Louis, MO?
And a Range of Periodontal Issues:
- Bad Breath: Also known as halitosis, bad breath may be a symptom of gum disease and may not resolve on its own even with good oral hygiene.
- Bone Loss from Trauma, Gum Disease, or Tooth Loss: When you lose a tooth or when an infection affects the bone tissue, your bone can begin to recede.
- Exposed Tooth Roots: Exposed tooth roots related to gum recession can cause pain and sensitivity.
- "Gummy" Smiles: If your gum-to-tooth ratio is unbalanced, it can make your teeth look smaller and affect your self-esteem.
- Gum Recession: Receding gums can affect your comfort and the look of your smile.
- Impacted Teeth: Impacted teeth, often affecting the wisdom teeth, can damage surrounding tissue and cause infection.
- Infected Gum Pockets: When tartar and plaque build up in deep gum pockets, it can damage your teeth and even the bone tissue.
- Loose Teeth: If treated early on, loose teeth can usually be saved with personalized periodontics procedures.
- Missing Teeth: Missing teeth can be embarrassing and lead to additional dental issues like misalignment, further tooth loss, and bone loss.
- Peri-Implantitis: If you have dental implants, periodontal disease around the implant site can lead to implant failure.
- Periodontal Abscess: Pockets of infection in the gum tissue require specialized care from a periodontist.
- Swelling or Bleeding of the Gums: A dentist can usually treat these early symptoms of periodontal disease but a periodontist can also provide relief.
Highly Rated by His Patients
"Very skilled, very meticulous practitioner with a great, reassuring manner. Helpful, attentive staff. Good outcomes for all 3 procedures he's done for me. Highly recommend." Ben C.
Visit a Periodontist Today Improve Your Dental Health and Wellness
Certain oral health concerns need more than a traditional dentist. In order to effectively treat periodontal disease, gum recession, and any issues related to missing teeth, it's important that you meet with a periodontist.
A periodontist focuses on periodontal health as well as the bone structure that supports the teeth and gums. Many dentists refer their patients to periodontists to address specific dental health problems that affect the gum tissue, jawbone, and other structures of the mouth.
Dr. Schlaikjer has practiced dentistry in the St. Louis, MO, area for more than 10 years. Following an accurate diagnosis, he can recommend the ideal dental services that meet your needs.
To learn more about dental treatments that can enhance the health and appearance of your gums, contact our periodontal practice online. You can also schedule a consultation by phone.
Call Our Periodontist
(314) 729-7840
Gum Disease Is Extremely Common
What Is Gum Disease?
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease refers to inflammation of the gum tissue caused by the oral bacteria that naturally occurs in the mouth. If gum disease does not get treated in a timely manner, it can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, the spread of infection to other parts of the mouth, and a dental abscess.
In addition, periodontal disease has been linked to a number of systemic conditions that affect your general health. According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), studies have found links between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and even Alzheimer's.
Dr. Schlaikjer can treat different stages of periodontal disease at his St. Louis office, restoring your oral health and the aesthetics of your smile in the process. He will also provide information on gum disease prevention, which can help ensure good periodontal health for years to come.
About Gum Grafts
Gum grafts are used to restore the gumline after a person has experienced gum recession. This may be due to gum disease, smoking, teeth grinding (bruxism), or other dental health issues. The soft tissue used to restore the missing gum tissue can come from the roof of the mouth or from another part of the gumline. In other cases, synthetic materials or donated tissue can be used. Dr. Schlaikjer can determine the ideal grafting option based on your needs.
Once gum grafting is complete, patients can experience a restored smile that looks great and feels healthy.
Schedule a Visit with Dr. Schlaikjer Patient-Centered Periodontics
Whether you suffer from periodontal disease, gum recession, or more advanced oral health issues, Dr. Schlaikjer can help. With more than a decade in dental practice, he can diagnose and treat a host of dental problems affecting different structures of the mouth. As a periodontist, he receives referrals from dentists all over the St. Louis, MO, area.
To learn more about the services we offer, contact our dental practice online. You can also reach our periodontal office by phone.
Call Us Today
(314) 729-7840
A Periodontist Who Puts Your Needs First Quality Dental Care in St. Louis, MO
Ronald Wunsch
2021
I was referred by my dentist who gave Dr S a rave review. After a thorough examination it was determined that my bone had to be built up to, accommodate an implant. It was a difficult task but Dr S handled it with expertise, compassion and an explanation of each and every procedure before he began. After major oral surgery he sent me home with his cell phone number to call if I was in pain. I have the utmost confidence in dr S and encourage anyone needing a Periodontist to go to him.
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Courtney EurekaSmile
2020
My son was involved in a car accident and had to have gum grafting. Dr Schlaikjer and his team were very informative, professional and went out of their way to make my son and I feel comfortable and important. They are very personable and easy to talk to. My son has had great results with his procedure and we are so thankful to have found Dr. Schlaikjer!
View On GoogleWe offer different treatment options for missing teeth...
Dental Implants
Tooth loss affects your ability to eat and speak normally. These gaps may also make you reluctant to laugh and smile around others, including people you've known for many years. Rather than dentures and bridgework, you may want to consider implant dentistry.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into your jawbone. Made from titanium and other biocompatible materials, the implants fuse with the bone structure. This allows the dental implants to function much like natural tooth roots.
Dental implants are designed to support dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. At our St. Louis office, we will determine your candidacy for dental implants and custom tailor the treatment to your needs. We can even discuss financing options to help make dental implants more affordable.
All-on-4 Implants
Traditional dentures can restore your ability to bite, chew, and smile, but they may slip out of place even if you're using denture creams and adhesives. An implant-supported denture, by comparison, will never cause these issues.
Rather than traditional implant dentistry, some patients choose All-on-4®. All-on-4 is a system that supports a full-arch denture on just four dental implants.
All-on-4 dental implants allow patients to experience the benefits of an implant-supported denture much faster than traditional implant dentistry treatment and often without the need for a bone graft.
Watch how we place dental implants in our office...
We Use the Yomi Robotic System For Robot-Assisted Dental Implant Surgery
The Yomi® Robotic System by Neocis is a dental technology that has been cleared by the FDA in the U.S. to provide assistance before and during dental implant placement surgery. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS, Periodontics and Implant Dentistry is the first dental practice in the state of Missouri to use this groundbreaking technology.
This technology allows our oral surgeon to plan surgery and place implants without having to create a surgical guide. This means you can undergo your procedure immediately, without having to wait a week for a surgical guide to be created. It also offers a variety of other benefits.
Peri-Implantitis
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If you have dental implants, periodontal disease around the implant site can lead to implant failure. This form of inflammation is known as peri-implantitis. Our team can treat peri-implantitis and help extend the lifespan of your dental implants.
Do you have periodontal disease or another periodontal health issue? Here's why you should visit our St. Louis office...
3 Reasons to Visit a Dentist Specializing in Periodontics
Comprehensive Training
While general dentists typically only treat mild or moderate periodontal disease, Dr. Schlaikjer is specially trained to address even the most complex cases right here in our office. In addition to restoring your periodontal health, Dr. Schlaikjer can perform cosmetic dentistry treatments like gum contouring and advanced restorative dentistry procedures like dental implant placement.
High-Tech Dentistry
Our dental office is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology to make your treatment faster, more comfortable, and more precise. Wherever possible, we practice laser dentistry, which offers several benefits including no incisions, reduced bleeding, and improved comfort. Using dental lasers, we can perform the innovative LANAP® procedure to remove diseased tissue and restore your periodontal health.
In-Office Surgical Care
Periodontists are specially trained to perform various types of surgical procedures including soft tissue grafting, gum surgery, and dental implant placement. Because periodontists can perform many types of surgery in-office, you don't have to worry about coordinating your treatment with various dentists or other doctors. This makes scheduling visits much easier and more convenient.
Why not just visit your general dentist for periodontal care?
Dentists Refer Complex Cases to Specially Trained Periodontists
Many patients have never heard of a periodontist or periodontology because their general dentists have never referred them to one. Many dentists can perform simple treatments like scaling and root planing (a dental deep cleaning) in-office, but most will refer you to a specialist if you need advanced care.
While many general dentists do not have the training or technology to perform advanced periodontal procedures, our St. Louis office has many unique capabilities available.
Our Services: Advanced Periodontal Procedures
- All-on-4 Dental Implants
- Bone Graft
- Bruxism Treatment
- Cleanings and Exams
- Crown Lengthening
- Cosmetic Periodontal Treatment
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridges
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Implants
- Dentures
- Frenectomy
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Gingivectomy
- Periodontal Treatment
- Gum Graft
- Gum Surgery
- LANAP
- Oral Appliance Therapy
- Preprosthetic Surgery
- Ridge Augmentation
- Root Coverage Grafts
- Sinus Lift
- Smile Makeover
- Tooth Extraction
"Dr Schlaikjer is very skilled and it is apparent when you are in his care. Always felt comfortable. Gum graft went super well and exceeded expectations. This sort of stuff is never fun, but if I had to get periodontal work again, I know where I would go." Chris Elbring
