Periodontist Washington DC
At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease, tooth extractions, preventative care, and placing dental implants. Dr. Zalewsky is proud to apply his years of experience honing the necessary skills to ensure that your procedure is a success. Our office is also proud to provide our clients with care that is delivered with the latest advancements in dental technology, including the following:
- Guided Surgery
- Digital Scanning
- Digital X-Rays
- Cone Beam 3-D Imaging
- Intra-Oral Camera
Reviews from Our Washington DC Location
Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry Washington DC
Phone: (202) 296-3360
Email: info@periodmv.com
Address: 2311 M St NW #500
Washington, DC 20037
WW4X+6P Washington, District of Columbia
precisioninperio.com/washington-dc
Washington DC Periodontist Dr. Justin Zalewsky
Dr. Justin Zalewsky graduated from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry and earned his Certificate of Periodontology and Oral Implantology from Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, where he also earned his MS in Oral Biology. Dr. Zalewsky also served as general dentist at Boling Air Force Base and the Pentagon.
Along with being an accomplished periodontist, Dr. Zalewsky is also a husband and father, which is why he understands the importance of having a positive bedside manner and prioritizing his patient care. Dr. Zalewsky is committed to ensuring his patients experience is a positive one, which is why he strongly believes in collaborating closely with referring doctors.
Dental Implants
Dental Implants Washington DC are commonly suggested for patients who are missing a tooth or teeth. Implants are a popular alternative to dentures, because they offer a more permanent solution and feel more like natural teeth. There are several different dental implant options available, including implant supported dentures, Teeth-in-a-Day, and All-on-4.
All on 4 Dental Implants
All-on-4 Dental Implants Washington DC are an efficient treatment option for patients missing a substantial number of teeth. During the All-on-Four procedure, four titanium implants are placed into your jawbone. Once the jawbone has fused with these posts, the replacement teeth will be screwed into place, restoring you back to your natural smile.
Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth, which may performed for a variety of reasons, the most common being preemptive removal of wisdom teeth, to make room for adult teeth, when decay is too great to salvage the tooth, or if there is an existing tooth that is not properly positioned.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that involves removing the final set of molars, which typically emerge around the ages of 16 to 20. Though not always the case, there is a strong possibility that wisdom teeth will grow at angle that will crowd the mouth or may not fully emerge, which can lead to oral health issues later on.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry refers to a range of sedatives that can be provided to patients to help alleviate anxiety, or for patients having intensive oral procedures. Levels of sedation range from mild, moderate, and deep. Benefits include improved ability to relax, increased comfort, improved ability to communicate if necessary, and improved gag reflect control.
Periodontal Recession
Gum recession is characterized by gum tissue that has begun to pull back or wear away, causing more of the tooth or tooth’s root to become exposed. If left untreated, gaps can begin to develop and pockets can begin to deepen, which are prone to collecting bacteria, resulting in the development of periodontitis.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting corrects gums that have become misshapen or receded as a result of gum disease or another underlying condition. The gum grafting procedure typically begins with administration of a local anesthetic followed by the removal of tissue from the adjacent tooth or palate, which is then grafted onto the areas where the gums have receded.
Frenectomy
Frenectomy procedures are performed on patients (typically children) who have frenum-related issues. The two most common type of frenums treated are the maxillary labial and the lingual frenulum. When issues are related to the lingual frenulum, patients are said to be “tongue-tied.” This procedure is relatively painless and can be performed in one visit.
Dental Bone Graft
A dental bone graft helps patients grow new bone using grafting materials, which are commonly made of bone from your own body, a donor or animal bone, or synthetic materials. Once the grafting material has been placed, patients can begin the healing process, which can take several months. Once the healing is complete, patients will be viable candidates for dental implants.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is commonly performed for patients who want to change the ratio of their gums and teeth to improve the aesthetic appearance of their smile. Although typically considered a cosmetic procedure, there are times when a crown lengthening procedure will be used to treat underlying issues that are causing gums to recede.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and Root Planing (also known as deep cleaning) is performed for patients who are in the beginning or middle stages of gum disease. Scaling is the process of removing plaque build-up and tartar that has accumulated on the surfaces of the root and crown, and root planing involves smoothing the rough areas of the root, which makes it more difficult for bacteria, plaque, or tartar to adhere to.
Gummy Smile
A gummy smile is an imbalanced ratio between a patient’s teeth and their visible gums. Gummy smiles can develop for several different reasons, including due to periodontal disease, bone deterioration, or simple genetic predisposition. Gum contouring is a common method for correcting a gumming smile through the grafting of tissue onto the gum line to create a more uniform appearance.
Laser Gum Therapy
Laser gum therapy refers to a range of procedures that treat periodontal issues with the use of a laser, such as a frenectomy, removing tissue buildup, performing a biopsy, and crown lengthening. Patients often opt for laser gum therapy because it is less invasive and recovery time is quicker.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is characterized by pockets that have developed between the gums and teeth that have a depth greater than three millimeters. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, followed by periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. There are several treatment options available for gum disease, the most common being scaling and root planing, or for more advanced cases, a bone graft and/or surgery.
Sinus Lift
Occasionally referred to as a sinus augmentation, a sinus lift involves adding bone between the maxillary sinuses and your jaw. In order for there to be enough room to place this bone, the membrane of the sinus is lifted upward, after which the graft is placed and the area is sutured shut so it can heal.
Pinhole Surgical Technique
Pinhole Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive, quick and effective method for correcting gums that have receded. The procedure involves making small holes into your gum line, then using special instruments to push healthier gum tissue down to cover more of the tooth.
Wilckodontics
Wilckodontics is an increasingly popular treatment option for straightening teeth. The procedure involves softening the bone tissue, which allows for teeth to move significantly quicker once the braces are applied. In addition to providing faster results than traditional braces, the Wilckodontics procedure also results in patients developing a more solid bone structure.
Tooth Exposure
Tooth exposure is performed when patients have a permanent tooth that is not naturally erupting. A tooth can become impacted and necessitate a tooth exposure for a variety of reasons, including an abnormally positioned tooth bud, prolonged retention of a primary canine, and/or discrepancies in the arch tooth size/arch length.
LANAP
LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a treatment method to eradicate infection and gum disease using lasers. LANAP is an especially popular choice because it is less invasive than traditional methods and does not result in the gums having stiches or surgery being performed.
Ridge Augmentation
Following a tooth extraction, many periodontists will recommend patients have a ridge augmentation to increase bone or gum tissue in the affected area of the mouth. Ridge augmentation will also improve functionality and general appearance. The two types of ridge augmentations that can be performed are hard tissue and soft issue.
Gum Regeneration
Gum regeneration is a series of treatments that can be performed to help patients treat gingival recession. Gum grafts are typically recommended for patients with more severe cases of gum recession, whereas a deep cleaning may be recommended for patients with milder cases. Pinhole Surgical Technique is also a popular new treatment option because it is less invasive than the traditional grafting method.
Socket Preservation
Socket preservation is performed following a tooth extraction to prevent the socket from closing following the removal of the tooth. The socket is persevered using a temporary bone graft or scaffold material that maintains the socket’s original shape. After the graft or scaffold is placed, the graft is sealed and sutured shut until the implant can be placed.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a method of facilitating the recovery process following the treatment of gum disease by placing membranes between the gum and the bone, which preserves space for the bone to grow. Guided tissue regeneration is commonly used to facilitate the growth of new jawbone tissue in preparation of a dental implant, but can also be used to repair replenish bone loss following the removal of impacted teeth or cysts.
Implant Supported Dentures
Implant supported dentures washington dc are a popular alternative for patients missing a tooth or teeth and would prefer to not have dentures. Although there a range of benefits associated with implant supported dentures, it is important to understand that not all patients are viable candidates. Talk to your periodontist to determine if implant supported dentures are right for you.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is a customized treatment plan designed to help patients who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease halt its progress and prevent similar issues from developing in the future. Periodontal maintenance goes above and beyond simple brushing and flossing on a regular basis and is an important additional step you can take to ensure you continue enjoying good oral health for years to come.
Teeth-in-a-Day
Teeth-in-a-Day is a type of dental implant commonly recommended for patients with significant tooth loss, or who have dentures and are unsatisfied with them. Four or six titanium implants are placed into your jawbone, and once the jawbone has fused with these posts, replacement teeth are screwed into place, restoring you back to your natural smile.
LAPIP
LAPIP® (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) is a modified version of LANAP that applies similar methods to treat gum disease that has developed around dental implants using lasers. If this gum disease is left untreated long enough, the patient’s implant may eventually fail. LAPIP is a popular treatment option because it removes the tissue that has become diseased without negatively effecting the healthy tissue around it.
Gingivectomy
A gingivectomy is a procedure that involves removing tissue that has become affected by bacteria, then reshaping the gums back to their healthy and natural looking position. The tissue can be removed using a scalpel or laser. Once the tissue has been removed and the gums properly reshaped, they are sutured around the teeth and a dressing is placed to facilitate the healing process.
Osseous Surgery
Osseous surgery is recommended for patients who have periodontitis that has advanced to the point that their gums and teeth no longer appear to be bonded together. During osseous surgery, your periodontist will expose the root of the tooth to remove the buildup of tartar. Next, the bone is smoothed and the infected gum tissue removed, after which the gums are fitted over the bone and root, which will allow for healthy tissue to grow.
Laser Gum Depigmentation
Although generally not a sign of any underlying health issues, some patients have gums that are darker in color than they would prefer. Laser gum depigmentation and bleaching is a process to treat darker gums by removing a thin layer of gum tissue with a laser, which allows for new tissue to be created during the healing process that is pinker in color.
Bruxism Treatment
Bruxism (clenching and/or grinding your teeth while sleeping) can lead to a variety of issues, including jaw pain, headaches, and even jawbone deterioration. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available, including splints and mouth guards, dental correction, biofeedback, anxiety or stress management, and if necessary, medications.
Occlusal Adjustment
Occlusal adjustment is a procedure designed to correct malocclusion. There are several different occlusal adjustment methods, but one of the most common involves reducing the surface of the tooth through selective grinding, then adding restorative material to the tooth surface to improve the contact patterns of the teeth. Occlusal adjustment is typically performed in addition to prosthodontic reconstruction or to treat TMD.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
Full mouth dental implants are a popular alternative to dentures, due to their longevity, natural feel, and minimized maintenance. Treatment typically consists of at least two (many times several) procedures that will replace missing teeth, correct a person’s occlusion, repair worn or fractured teeth, and rehabilitate diseased or receding gums. By the end of the full mouth dental implant process, patients will have a restored ability to eat the foods they enjoy, talk without any impediment, and smile with confidence.
More on Washington DC
As one of the most visited cities in the entire world, it can be a little overwhelming to decide what to do with your time in Washington, DC. Visiting the countless historical monuments such as the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, the US Capitol building, Washington Monument, and Arlington National Cemetery is a given, but there are many other wonderful places to enjoy.
One aspect of Washington, DC that many people are not aware of is its vibrant craft-beer scene. There are several brewery tours available that will guide you through the many wonderful breweries in the area, including Capital City Brewing, Bluejacket Brewery, Atlas Brew Works, and the historic DC Brau, the first brewery in Washington, DC.
If you are more the foodie type, you are in luck, because Washington DC has an incredible array of top notch restaurants, although some of the more popular sites (like Rose’s Luxury) may be difficult to get in. Luckily, there are also several city food tours that are available, many of which combine the history of the city with delicious meals.
For the art lovers, a visit to the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria is a must stop. The Torpedo Factory is three floors high and packed with original works from over 80 artists, many of whom will be in the studio working on their newest projects while you visit. This is truly one of Washington, DC’s hidden gems- and best of all, it is located in an amazing neighborhood filled with interesting shops, fantastic nightlife opportunities, and other entertainment and enrichment opportunities.