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What is Soft Tissue Management (STM)?
Soft Tissue Management (STM) is a professional and personal system designed to detect, diagnose, treat, and maintain periodontal disease. The goal of STM is to prevent tooth loss and the need for more invasive periodontal surgery. At Highbridge Dental Associates, our STM program includes regular re-evaluations and periodontal maintenance, helping you maintain a healthy smile and strong gums for years to come.
Why is Soft Tissue Management Important?
Periodontal disease can be silent, with many of its symptoms going unnoticed until the damage becomes severe. Our STM program ensures early detection, effective treatment, and ongoing care to prevent gum disease from progressing. By adhering to this system, you can minimize the risk of tooth loss and avoid complex treatments in the future. It’s an essential aspect of maintaining your overall oral health.
Goal of Soft Tissue Management
At Highbridge Dental Associates, our STM program is designed to provide comprehensive care for your periodontal health. By following our personalized approach, we aim to prevent periodontal disease from progressing to the point of surgery or tooth loss. Through regular evaluations and personalized care, we can help you achieve a healthy, disease-free smile and minimize the need for invasive dental treatments.
What Does Soft Tissue Management Involve?
Our STM program combines professional care and personal hygiene routines to maintain healthy gums and teeth. The process includes:
Professional Care
- Periodontal Examinations We conduct regular check-ups to measure pocket depths, gum recession, inflammation, bleeding, tooth mobility, infection levels, and plaque buildup.
- Scaling and Root Planing We use advanced tools, including the Cavitron Jet Plus and Pro Select Platinum Piezzo Ultrasonic Scaler, to remove tartar and calculus buildup and reduce infection.
- Arestin Treatment For effective control of periodontal pockets, we apply Arestin, a localized antibiotic treatment that promotes gum health.
- Fluoride Treatments We provide CMP fluoride treatments to prevent root decay and relieve tooth sensitivity.
- Plaque and Bacteria Control To prevent plaque accumulation and bacteria growth, we recommend the 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate oral rinse and Listerine.
Personal Care
- Flossing Daily flossing helps maintain healthy gums and remove food particles from between your teeth.
- Rotadent Use The Rotadent electric toothbrush is an essential tool in STM for maintaining gum health and preventing plaque buildup.
- Tongue Cleaning We recommend using a TLC tongue cleaner to remove bacteria, fungi, and food debris from the surface of your tongue.
- Ongoing Rinse Use During infections, use Chlorhexidine Gluconate rinse and Listerine for better plaque control and bacteria reduction.
- Fluoride Use Fluoride treatments help with tooth sensitivity and remineralization, keeping your teeth strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I undergo Soft Tissue Management?
The frequency of your STM visits will depend on your individual oral health needs. Typically, patients with periodontal disease will need to visit every three to six months, while others may require maintenance every six months.
Does STM involve surgery?
No, STM is designed to prevent the need for surgery. Through regular treatments like scaling and root planing, fluoride applications, and consistent check-ups, we can maintain your gum health and prevent disease from progressing to a point where surgery would be necessary.
Can I do anything at home to support my STM treatment?
Yes, regular brushing, flossing, and using products like the Rotadent toothbrush, TLC tongue cleaner, and fluoride treatments are essential to maintaining your oral health at home. We’ll provide you with specific guidelines to help support your treatment.
Will I feel discomfort during STM?
STM is a non-invasive treatment, but there may be some discomfort, particularly if you have gum disease. Our team works to ensure that your treatment is as comfortable as possible, offering local anesthetics if necessary.
Can STM reverse gum disease?
STM is highly effective in preventing the progression of gum disease and can reverse early stages of periodontal disease. However, if the disease has advanced, more extensive treatments may be needed.
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