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LOCATION:
Dr. Larry J. Loewen
Pinebrooke Office Park
20240 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152
(MAP)
(248) 474-0100
Financing Options
**NO-Interest**
Financing Available |
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Testimonials: The results are amazing! Dr. Loewen and his team made it a wonderful experience the entire time. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.
....Amy, Farmington Hills, MI
Admired by both your patients and peers. I thank you for years of gentle, competent dental care. You're the best!
....Darlene, Farmington Hills, MI
Dr. Loewen, thank you for the gift of an amazing smile, and thanks to your amazing staff who are so caring and attentive.
....Deanna, Farmington Hills, MI
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At Dr. Loewen's office our goal is to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. We accomplish this in a number of ways.
- Regular check-ups
- Cleanings & x-rays (where necessary) every 6 months
This is only the beginning to keeping Healthy Teeth & Gums. We also want you to know what to look for when your mouth may be in trouble. Therefore, here is how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
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| What is a Full Dental Evaluation?© Dr. Loewen takes your medical and dental history and performs a dental exam to make an evaluation of your mouth's health. The most essential part of this is pocket charting, which measures the health status around each tooth in your mouth. The ultimate goal of early detection is to determine if you have gum disease and, if so, to develop a treatment program specially suited to your needs.
Your Dental History
Usually during your first dental visit, you will be asked about dental problems you have had, if you have ever been treated for gum disease, and what your current symptoms are. You may also be asked about your eating habits, and your flossing and brushing routine. Dr. Loewen will also take a medical history because some conditions can effect dental treatment. He may ask you about current medical problems, past surgeries, allergies and medications you are currently taking.
Your Dental Exam
An examination determines whether you have gum disease or teeth problems and might need professional treatment. Dr. Loewen examines your teeth and gums to see how healthy your mouth is, and measure your gingival pockets. You may be asked to open and close your mouth to evaluate your bite (occlusion). Your exam will also include a head and neck evaluation. X-rays may be taken during this exam to determine bone loss and chart your progress.
Pocket Charting
One way to diagnose gum disease is by pocket charting. Several measurements will be taken for each tooth and the deeper the pocket, the more care it needs. Dr. Loewen may keep a record of these areas. Below is an example of a completed chart.
Setting Up a Treatment Plan
After your evaluation, a consultation appointment will be scheduled and Dr. Loewen will discuss the overall health of your teeth and gums with you and recommended treatment for any work that needs to be done.
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| When Are My Gums In Trouble?© Periodontal, or gum, disease is one of the most common and serious dental problems today. People of all ages may experience symptoms of this disease, which scan lead to tooth loss if not detected early. "Perio" means around, and "dontal" means tooth. Periodontal disease is an infection that gradually destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the jawbones that supports them. So whether you have healthy gums and want to keep them that way, or you already have gum disease and want to control it better, find out more about gum disease, and know that it can be treated.
Notice Any Little Changes
Things you may have thought were normal, like swollen gums, tenderness in the mouth, or bad breath, may be signs of gum disease. Bleeding, although not always a symptom, is a signal that your mouth is trying to heal something, and needs your help. Even if you don't notice any symptoms or experience pain, you may still have an early stage of gum disease.
Team Up With Your Dentist
The best thing to do is to understand gum disease, and find out if you need professional treatment in addition to regular checkups. Dr. Loewen may suggest a treatment plan, then he will strongly urge you to follow a dedicated self-care program of flossing and brushing. This combined with regular cleanings and maintenance, is the key to fighting gum disease.
Do You Have Gum Disease?
Answer the following questions. The more time you answer "yes," the more likely it is that you need professional treatment.
- Are your gums swollen or puffy?
- Do your gums bleed when you floss or brush?
- Do your teeth and gums seem sensitive or sore?
- Do you have bad breath no matter what you eat?
- Are the tips of your gums a color other than pink?
- Have your gums pulled back from your teeth?
- Have the spaces between your teeth become bigger?
- Do some or all of your teeth feel loose?
- Has the way you bite down changed?
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| Get To Know Your Mouth© Sounds funny, doesn't it? After all, you have had your mouth your whole life. But it is good to know how your mouth works is you can take care of it better. It is also helpful to know how gum disease starts so that you can slow down or even stop the process. If you can manage this, your teeth, gums and jawbone will be healthier. And nothing looks and feel quite like clean, white teeth, and a bright, wholesome smile.
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A Lesson In Anatomy |
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| To understand your mouth better, let's go back to basics. Compare your teeth to a house, with your gums and jawbone as the foundation. To keep your house in good condition, your foundation has to be solid. Let's look a little deeper. A Simple Equation
Dentists believe bacteria in plaque cause gum disease. But other things, like stress, smoking, illness, poor nutrition, and changing hormone levels, may contribute to gum disease.
Plaque
Plaque is a bacterial film found above and below and gumline. Usually invisible, it sometimes looks white or yellow. Plaque can be removed with good self-care & controlled with 6 month cleanings.
Calculus - Plaque Hardened
Calculus is a destructive yellow or brown crust that can only be removed by a professional. Calculus, or tartar, may form after only a few days if you do not remove plaque every day.
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| Stages Of Gun Disease© Although it has three stages, gum disease is one continuous process. Each stage is characterized by what you see and feel in your mouth, and by what's happening under your gumline. Remember, even if you do not notice any symptoms, you may still have a form of periodontal disease, and it is possible to have more than one stage of gum disease around different teeth at one time. Dr. Loewen will determine its progression in your mouth during each visit.
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| Stages of Gum Disease State 1 Gingivitis
You may experience some swelling, bleeding, tenderness, or bad breath. At this point, gums may be loose, but are still attached high on the teeth.
Stage 2 Periodontitis
You may experience bright red or receding gums, spaces between your teeth, calculus along the gumline, and some symptoms that occur in stage 1.
Stage 3 Advanced Periodontitis
You may experience receding bums which expose root, darker calculus, pus if you press on your gums, and some symptoms from stages 1 and 2.
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| Self-Care: A How-To Guide© If Dr. Loewen were stranded on a deserted island and had to choose between dental floss and a toothbrush, he would probably pick dental floss. WHY? Because brushing only gets rid of a fraction of the plaque in your mouth. Flossing takes care of the majority. Ask Dr. Loewen or Lori (hygienist) to give you hands-on instruction, but remember that everyone does it differently. You may need to practice at first, but, in time, you can develop a pattern that works for you.
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Five-Star Flossing |
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Floss come in waxed, unwaxed, flavored or tape varieies. Dr. Loewen may suggest a particular type for you. When you first learn how to floss, it may take longer, but you should floss a minimum of once a day for five full minutes. |
| Take 18 inches of recommended floss and wrap it securely around your middle fingers. Hold your index fingers firmly, and allow only about a half-inch length of floss between them.
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| Gently tease the floss between your teeth and be sure to press tightly against each side. Ease the floss up and down several times, and go below your gumline where all the bacterial action is.
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| Blue-Ribbon Brushing |
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A small, soft, angled brush with rounded bristles is best. Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles are worn down.
When you first learn it may take longer, but you should brush for a full five minutes or longer, twice a day. |
| Use a fluoride paste, point brush at a 45 degree angle toward gumline, and brush in gentle, circular motions. Work the tip of your brush around the inner, front surfaces. Don't forget the back areas of your mouth. |
| Clean inner and outer surfaces by folling down for the upper teeth, and up for the lower teeth. Clean the biting surfaces by using a scrubbing motion. Brush gums and tongue, then rinse well.
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| Special Aids for Special Needs Dr. Loewen may recommend these or other dental extras for implant or denture wearers, children, orthodontic or arthritic patients, or anyone else with special dental needs.
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| Professional Treatment Options© Because different areas of your mouth can be in different stages of gum disease, you may need several types of treatment. Dr. Loewen may perform treatment in the office, or you may be referred to a periodontist. The primary goals of all professional treatment are to promote reattachment of healthy gums to teeth, to reduce swelling, the depth of pockets, and the risk of infection, and to stop further damage. But professional treatment is not a cure for gum disease: it needs your dedication. Your dentist will urge you to begin a self-care program now, and continue it for the rest of your life.
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| Non-Surgical Treatment Smoothing the Tooth
Your dentist or hygienist may smooth some teeth because a cleaner surface attracts less debris. Scaling removes calculus and plaque from the root, and root planning smoothes and polished it. These are usually performed at the same time, and may simply be called "deep cleaning." You may have to visit the dentist's office several times for this treatment.
Smoothing the Gums
Your dentist may remove a small amount of infected gum tissue with a procedure called soft tissue curettage. The gum is lifted up slightly, and a small amount of diseased inner gum lining is gently scraped out. This treatment is often performed with scaling and root planning, and may require additional visits.
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Surgical Treatment
Trimming the Gum
During a procedure called flap surgery, an incision is made, a "flap" is lifted to give Dr. Loewen visual access, and any calculus and infected gum are removed. The gum is then replaced on the tooth near the original gumline.
Reshaping the Bone
Dr. Loewen may perform osseous (bone) surgery to reshape the bone. The infected gum and bone are removed, then the gums are sutured below the original gumline to reduce areas that trap plaque. Your tooth may look longer than it did before treatment.
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| Tips To Keep Your Teeth© Whether you have had extensive professional treatment or are simply fighting gum disease with self-care, here are some general guidelines for you and your family. Ask Dr. Loewen if you have questions , and start your children's good dental habits early.
Practice Good Self-Care
To help stop the process of gum disease, begin your self-care program today. Good habits take time, and bad habits are hard to break. If you do miss a flossing or brushing, just start up again the next day. Your body wants to be well, so it will respect your efforts. Keep plenty of floss and a new toothbrush on hand for everyone in your home. And always eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and vitamin-enriched foods. A good diet now helps avoid health problems later.
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| Keep Your Appointments
After you visit Dr. Loewen, schedule follow-up appointments for needed maintenance. Write down the appointments in your date book, and try your best to keep them. If you can not, reschedule as soon as possible. You may be asked to come in as often as every couple of months for cleaning or other treatment. The more often you visit your dentist, the less likely it is that you will have dental problems. The success of fighting gum disease is in your hands!
Watch For Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after you have had professional treatment, your mouth may feel sensitive or sore. Over time, your teeth will become less sensitive because when you are cleaning, you mouth is healing. But for a couple of weeks, Dr. Loewen may suggest that you take a non-aspirin pain reliever a half-hour before self-care and rinse with warm water afterward. Avoid sugary and starchy food because they attract plaque , and avoid smoking, citrus, and spicy foods because they may cause your mouth some discomfort.
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