GUM DISEASE
Gum Disease
Many factors such as smoking, pregnancy, diabetes and the menopause can affect periodontal disease progression. Various genetic and medical conditions can affect periodontal health.
Dr. O’Dea and our team aim to identify your risk factors for periodontal disease and help you to manage them so you can get the best possible response to your treatment.
Dr. O’ Dea treats gum disease both non-surgically and surgically. She provides dental implants, gum grafting, bone grafting and crown lengthening surgeries. Sometimes microbiological samples are taken for analysis so your periodontist Dr. O’Dea can identify the most harmful bacteria. Periodontal treatment to reduce and if possible to eliminate these destructive bacteria is then performed. The provision of antibiotics either orally or by syringing under the gum is sometimes indicated in conjunction with the periodontal therapy provided.
Your periodontist aims to get the best possible results for you but we need you to work with our team to achieve these results. Oral cancer screening is also preformed during periodontal assessment.
Many factors such as smoking, pregnancy, diabetes and the menopause can affect periodontal disease progression. Various genetic and medical conditions can affect periodontal health. Dr. O' Dea aims to get the best possible results for you but we need you to work with our team to achieve the best outcome to treatment. This involves excellent oral hygiene on your part, reducing the number of cigarettes smoked for example and if possible to quit smoking, reducing stress and achieving a healthy lifestyle.
Surgery is sometimes required to arrest gum disease and to prevent further bone loss around teeth. The use of growth factors (Emdogain) and bone substitutes (Bio-oss) may be required.
Treatment Time
Maintenance
The length of a course of treatment is dependent on the severity and complexity of each individual case. Treatment time usually takes from three months to one year.
Periodontal patients must continue with excellent personal oral hygiene in the long term. Regular visits to the dentist and hygienist will be required to keep gums healthy.
Tax Relief
More complex treatment such as periodontal treatment, dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, root canal treatment, orthodontic treatment and surgical extraction of wisdom teeth, qualify for tax relief. A Med 2 form is completed and signed by the dentist and this form is submitted to the Revenue Commissioners.
Peridontal and dental implant therapy are eligble for a 20% tax rebate on a MED 2 Form which may be submitted to your local tax office at the end of the financial year. Some treatments may qualify for insurance contribution based on your level of cover.
For further information on tax relief for your dental expenses please go to www.revenue.ie
What will your insurance cover?
Dr. Mary O’Dea is registered with: VHI, Laya Healthcare, Aviva Healthcare, Garda Medical Aid Society, ESB Medical Provident.
The amount paid by your insurance provider depends on your levels of cover. Please ask a member of the team for more information.