Dr. Herbert Veisman
Periodontics
Toronto, Ontario
416-225-9889
For more information on periodontal (gum) disease and dental implants in the Toronto, Ontario area, feel free to contact us at 416-225-9910.
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. A periodontist can also plan, place and maintain dental implants. Periodontics is one of the 8 specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
About 75% of the North American population will have some form of periodontal disease, known as gum disease. It is important to note that periodontal disease is usually painless and can go undetected until it's too late. If left untreated, gum disease can destroy the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth, causing them to become loose. Also, gum disease can result in bad breath and may even change the appearance of your smile. If the disease progresses, you can lose your teeth.
Your periodontal disease may progress to the point where only a periodontist may be able to help you. Periodontists receive extensive training, including 3 additional years beyond dental school, in order to learn state-of-the-art techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases. Dr. Veisman has additional training beyond these three years in which he studied the detailed scientific background on all aspects of periodontal diseases to become a Diplomate. (See What is a Diplomate/Fellow?)
Dr. Veisman continues to take hundreds of hours of continuing educational courses per year to stay abreast of the newest techniques in dentistry, dental implants and periodontal treatment.
Aside from treating periodontal diseases, there are other reasons to visit Dr. Veisman. If you are missing one or more teeth, and are considering dental implants, your periodontist can help you decide if they are right for you.
Finally, Dr. Veisman can help create proper gum appearance to improve your smile.
Besides fresh breath, a renewed confidence in your smile, restored oral health and a new sense of health and vitality, you'll be able to chew your food more easily and enjoy foods you avoided because they were too difficult to eat. With help from Dr. Veisman, plus your own dedication to good oral health, you no longer have to accept tooth loss as part of getting older and should keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Dr. Veisman is both a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. A Diplomate is certified by the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow is certified by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Dr. Veisman is the only Board Certified periodontist in Toronto and one of only 4 practicing periodontists in Canada to carry both distinctions.
In addition to the educational requirements to become a periodontist, Board/Fellow certification requires:
Dr. Veisman has been examined by a panel of internationally respected peers and awarded Diplomate/Fellow status. In addition, Dr. Veisman has received one of the highest recognitions of achievement afforded by the specialty of Periodontology.
By successfully completing the examination process, Dr. Veisman has demonstrated motivation for:
The American Board of Periodontology was founded in 1939 to elevate the standards and advance the science and art of periodontology by encouraging its study and advancing its practice. It is officially the oldest American Dental Association recognized specialty board and is the only national certifying board in the dental specialty of periodontics.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is one of the most common infections today. More than 75% of North Americans over 35 years of age have some form of periodontal disease. Although many are infected, few know they actually have the disease. In a recent study, 8 out of 10 people surveyed believed they did not have periodontal disease, 7 out of 10 exhibited one or more symptoms.
Periodontal diseases are painless until they reach an advanced stage. If left untreated, periodontal diseases can result in:
In fact, periodontal diseases are the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Despite all these facts, periodontal diseases are some of the most preventable diseases.
You should request a thorough periodontal examination at your next dental visit. During this exam, your gums will be inspected for color and firmness. Your teeth will be tested for looseness and checked for the way they fit together when you bite. In addition, x-rays may be taken to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth.
A technique called periodontal probing is the cornerstone of testing for periodontal disease. In this procedure, a small measuring instrument is gently placed between your tooth and gum to measure the depth of the pocket. Periodontal probing should be part of every complete dental examination. Ask your dentist and hygienist to show and explain to you the complete charting at the end of every recall appointment!
The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, daily cleaning is required in the form of brushing and flossing.
If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums. The toxins destroy supporting tissues around the teeth. Gums then pull away from the teeth, forming pockets which then fill up with more plaque.
As gum disease progresses, the pockets continue to become deeper and deeper. Consequently, plaque continues to move further down the roots of the teeth damaging the bone which support them. Unless treated, the affected teeth can become loose and eventually may be lost.
If Dr. Veisman has determined that the tissues around your teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical therapy, then periodontal surgery is the treatment of choice.
If you follow Dr. Veisman’s instructions, you can generally expect to enjoy your normal routine the following day. Talk with Dr. Veisman about any special post-operative considerations you may have, such as exercise, diet or post-surgical medications. This should help minimize any disruptions to your daily activities.
The type of gum treatment you receive very much depends on the stage in which it is caught. If Dr. Veisman makes the diagnosis in the early stage of disease, proper brushing and flossing along with scaling and root planing may be all that is required. If, on the other hand, the disease is more advanced, you may require further treatment.
Scaling and root planing is the non-surgical technique that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline using specially designed instruments.
Other techniques may be used to treat your disease. If your gum recedes, thus exposing the root surface, a gum graft is necessary to prevent further recession. Recession can lead to tooth sensitivity and root cavities in the future if it is not treated.
If you have substantial bone loss around some of your teeth, Dr. Veisman may use special bone growth techniques to replace bone lost to periodontal disease.