Is crown lengthening painful?

During the procedure you should feel no pain at all. Local anesthesia ensures the surgical site is completely numb, and sedation is available if needed. After the procedure, you may experience some tenderness in the treated gums, bone, and teeth. Over-the-counter pain medication is typically sufficient to manage any post-operative discomfort.

Who performs crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is performed by a periodontist. At Rockland Dental Specialists, Dr. Shalom Mintz, our board-certified periodontist and implantologist, performs crown lengthening for both cosmetic and restorative indications.

How long does crown lengthening recovery take?

The gums and bone require at least four to six weeks to heal fully before any further dental work can take place. Some cases may require a longer healing period depending on the extent of tissue removed.

What is a gummy smile and can crown lengthening fix it?

A gummy smile occurs when excess gum tissue is visible above the upper front teeth when smiling. Crown lengthening exposes the full anatomical crown of the teeth, creating a more balanced and proportionate smile.

Can crown lengthening be done on a single tooth?

Yes. When performed for restorative reasons it is typically done on a single tooth. Cosmetic crown lengthening often addresses multiple front teeth at once to create a balanced result.

When is crown lengthening necessary before a dental crown?

Crown lengthening is needed when decay or a fracture extends below the gumline, leaving insufficient tooth structure for a crown to grip securely. Removing gum and bone tissue creates the access needed to place a well-fitting, durable restoration.

What are the different types of dental implants?

Dental implants can replace a single tooth, support a multi-tooth bridge, or anchor a full-arch restoration using as few as four to six implants. They can also stabilize removable dentures and partials.

Why should I choose a periodontist for dental implants instead of a general dentist?

Periodontists complete three additional years of specialized training in bone, gum tissue, and implant placement. At Rockland Dental Specialists, Dr. Shalom Mintz and Dr. David Peto are board-certified periodontists and implantologists.

What happens during the dental implant procedure?

The process begins with 3D imaging and a consultation, followed by surgical implant placement into the jawbone under local anesthesia. After several months of osseointegration, a crown is attached to complete the restoration.

Do I need a bone graft before getting a dental implant?

Not every patient requires a bone graft. It is needed when there is insufficient jawbone volume to securely anchor the implant. Our team evaluates bone density using cone beam CT imaging during your consultation.

What is osseointegration, and why does it matter?

Osseointegration is the process by which the jawbone fuses to the titanium implant, creating a stable permanent anchor. This biological bond gives implants their strength and distinguishes them from bridges or dentures.

Can dental implants fail, and what causes failure?

Dental implants have a high success rate, but failure can occur due to insufficient bone, uncontrolled gum disease, smoking, or poor oral hygiene. Early intervention by a periodontist can often prevent full failure.

How do I care for a dental implant once it is placed?

Care for an implant like a natural tooth: brush twice daily, floss around the crown, and maintain regular periodontal cleanings. Monitoring for peri-implantitis is essential for long-term implant health.

Are dental implants in New City covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by plan. Some plans provide partial coverage, particularly for teeth lost due to injury or medical conditions. Rockland Dental Specialists offers complimentary insurance verifications and custom payment plans.

What are the signs of periodontal disease?

Common signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, and deep pockets between the teeth and gums. In smokers, visible signs may be minimal even when disease is present.

Can periodontal disease be reversed?

Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) can be fully reversed with professional cleaning and improved home care. More advanced periodontal disease cannot be reversed, but it can be controlled and stabilized through periodontal treatment and ongoing maintenance.

Will a gum infection go away on its own?

No. Periodontal infections do not resolve without treatment. Without intervention, the infection progresses, destroying the bone and tissue that support the teeth, and can contribute to systemic health conditions.

How is periodontal disease connected to overall health?

Periodontal disease is associated with increased risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. The bacteria and inflammation from untreated gum disease can enter the bloodstream and affect the rest of the body.

What are the stages of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease progresses from gingivitis (reversible gum inflammation) through mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis, each involving increasing levels of bone and tissue loss around the teeth.

Can a periodontist place dental implants?

Yes. Periodontists are among the most qualified providers for dental implant placement because of their specialized training in the bone and gum tissue that support implants. At Rockland Dental Specialists, Dr. Shalom Mintz and Dr. David Peto are board-certified periodontists and implantologists.

Do I need a referral to see an oral surgery provider?

A referral is not always required. Many patients arrive after a recommendation from their general dentist, but you are welcome to contact our office directly if you have been told you need a complex extraction, wisdom tooth removal, or evaluation of an unusual growth in your mouth. Our team will review your situation and coordinate with your referring dentist as appropriate.

Does a tooth extraction remove the root?

Yes. A complete tooth extraction removes both the visible portion of the tooth and the root structure beneath the gum line. In surgical extractions, where a tooth is broken, impacted, or has curved roots, our team may need to section the tooth or carefully remove a small amount of surrounding bone to safely retrieve the entire root. Leaving root fragments behind can cause infection, so complete removal is always the goal.

What is wisdom teeth removal, and when is it necessary?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop, typically emerging in the late teens or early twenties. Many people do not have enough room in their jaw for these teeth to erupt properly, leading to impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth may cause pain, infection, pressure against neighboring teeth, or damage to adjacent roots. Removal is recommended when wisdom teeth are impacted, symptomatic, or at risk of causing problems down the line.

What is nitrous oxide sedation, and is it safe?

Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative inhaled through a small mask placed over the nose. It produces a relaxed, comfortable state without putting you to sleep. It is commonly offered for extractions, wisdom tooth removal, and other oral surgery procedures. Effects wear off quickly after the mask is removed, and most patients are able to resume light activity shortly after their appointment.

What is an oral biopsy, and should I be concerned?

An oral biopsy is a procedure to evaluate an unusual growth, sore, or lesion in the mouth that has not resolved on its own. A small tissue sample is removed and analyzed by a pathologist. Most oral growths are benign. The biopsy is both a diagnostic tool and a treatment, since the growth is typically fully removed during the procedure. Early evaluation is always the safer approach.

What should I expect during recovery from oral surgery?

Most patients experience some degree of swelling and mild discomfort for the first few days following surgery. Your provider will give specific post-operative instructions, which typically cover diet, activity restrictions, and managing discomfort. Attending follow-up appointments and following your aftercare plan carefully are the most important steps for healing well and avoiding complications. Most patients return to normal activity within a few days, though more involved procedures may require a longer recovery window.

When should I see an oral surgery provider instead of my general dentist?

Your general dentist will usually refer you to a specialist when the need arises. Common indicators for oral surgery evaluation include impacted wisdom teeth, complex extractions, unusual growths or lesions, the need for bone grafting prior to implants, and cases involving patients with complex medical histories. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons notes that oral surgery providers have additional training for managing complex surgical cases and anesthesia in outpatient settings.

LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is an FDA-cleared laser treatment for periodontal disease that uses a specific wavelength of laser energy to target diseased tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact.

How is LANAP different from traditional gum surgery?

Traditional gum surgery requires cutting the gums with a scalpel and suturing them back. LANAP uses laser energy instead, with no cutting, no sutures, and significantly less post-operative pain and recovery time.

Can LANAP treat advanced periodontal disease?

Yes. LANAP is specifically designed for moderate to advanced periodontal disease. It can address deep pockets and bone loss that have not responded adequately to scaling and root planing alone.

Who is a good candidate for LANAP?

Most adults with chronic periodontal disease are candidates for LANAP. It is particularly beneficial for patients who are medically compromised, on blood thinners, or who have anxiety about traditional surgery.

What should I expect during a LANAP procedure?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The laser fiber is inserted into the periodontal pocket to remove diseased tissue and bacteria. Most patients return to normal activity within a day or two.

Can LANAP regenerate lost bone?

Yes. LANAP is one of the few periodontal treatments with clinical evidence supporting bone regeneration around treated teeth, not just stabilization of existing bone.

How does LANAP compare to osseous surgery for treating gum disease?

Both treat periodontal disease but through different approaches. LANAP is minimally invasive with faster recovery. Osseous surgery involves cutting and reshaping bone. The right choice depends on disease severity, anatomy, and patient health.

How do I know if I need LANAP or scaling and root planing?

A periodontal evaluation including X-rays and pocket depth measurements determines the extent of disease. Scaling and root planing is the first-line treatment. LANAP is typically recommended when disease is moderate to advanced or has not fully responded to non-surgical care.

Why a Dental Implant Specialist Delivers Better Results Than a General Dentist

When you are missing one or more teeth, choosing dental implants is one of the most important decisions you can make for your long-term oral health. This procedure involves far more than placing a post in your jaw. It requires detailed bone assessment, precise surgical technique, and careful management of the healing process. The person who performs that work defines every aspect of your outcome. The qualifications, tools, and focused expertise a provider brings to the procedure directly determine how well your implants integrate, how smoothly recovery goes, and how long they last.

Table of Contents

At Rockland Dental Specialists, our periodontists and implant specialists bring over 24 years of combined experience in periodontics, implant dentistry, and oral rehabilitation. Led by board-certified periodontist and implantologist Dr. Shalom Mintz, our dental implants team, including periodontist Dr. David Peto, is committed to delivering the precise, personalized care that produces lasting results. Here is what sets specialist-level implant care apart.

What Sets a Dental Implant Specialist Apart

General dentists are trained across all areas of oral care, but implant surgery is a subspecialty that requires years of focused, post-doctoral preparation. Periodontists and implant specialists complete three or more additional years of advanced residency training specifically centered on the bone, gum tissue, and anatomical structures that support teeth. That depth of knowledge changes how a case is evaluated, how risks are identified, and how decisions are made throughout the entire process.

Choosing a specialist means that you’re working with someone who has dedicated their training to the precise procedures you are considering. Among the key advantages this expertise provides:

Surgical proficiency developed through advanced residency training and a high volume of implant procedures
A thorough understanding of bone density, gum tissue condition, and anatomical risk factors specific to each patient
The ability to recognize and manage complex cases, including patients with bone loss, prior implant difficulties, or unique anatomical considerations

That level of preparation is not easily acquired through general practice. It is built through sustained, focused surgical training, and it is the foundation of Dr. David Peto’s approach as one of our experienced periodontists at Rockland Dental Specialists.

The Role of Advanced Diagnostics in Implant Planning

Precise diagnostics are central to a successful implant outcome. Before any procedure begins, our team uses 3D cone beam imaging to build a detailed picture of your jaw, bone volume, nerve locations, and sinus structures. This level of imaging reveals details that standard X-rays can’t capture and allows our specialists to design a surgical plan with a high degree of precision.

According to a multicenter retrospective study published through the National Library of Medicine, dental implants placed following careful clinical protocols achieved a survival rate of 99.9% in routine practice. That standard of care is made possible by the combination of specialist training and advanced diagnostic technology. For patients who need additional bone support before implant placement, our team can also assess whether bone grafting is appropriate to create a stable, durable foundation.

Reducing Risk and Supporting Long-Term Outcomes

Implant procedures involve real surgical considerations, and a specialist is trained to anticipate potential complications before they arise rather than managing them after the fact. This includes evaluating how individual patient anatomy, overall health, and bone quality interact with surgical success. The result is a more informed, proactive strategy to care at every stage, from planning through recovery.

For patients replacing a full arch of missing teeth, All-on-4 dental implants involve even greater surgical planning and precision. Cases like these highlight exactly why specialty training is not optional when the stakes are high. A periodontist and implant specialist brings the direct expertise these procedures require, with a singular focus on producing safe results that last.

Schedule a Consultation with Rockland Dental Specialists

Dental implants are a long-term investment, and the expertise behind them affects every aspect of your experience, from surgical precision to how well your implants hold up over years of use. At Rockland Dental Specialists, Dr. Mintz, Dr. Peto, and our team of periodontists and implant specialists are ready to provide you with a thorough evaluation, a clear treatment plan, and care rooted in advanced specialty training. We are proud to serve patients throughout the region who are looking for implant care delivered at the highest level.

Our team is here to help you understand your options and ensure that you have everything you need to make a confident, well-informed decision about your implant care. To schedule a consultation, reach out through our online contact form.