Dr. Michael Setter was born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan and completed his undergraduate and dental studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with honors. Needing a change of scenery, he moved to Seattle, WA for his periodontics residency at UW, where he received a Certificate in Periodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry. It was there that he fell in love with the beauty of the Northwest and decided to make Portland his home.
In addition to his periodontal training, Dr. Setter graduated from the prestigious Misch International Implant Institute and has achieved Fellowship status in the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Oregon Dental Association, Multnomah County Dental Society, and Oregon Society of Periodontists. He is constantly furthering his studies at continuing education courses around the country where he focuses in dental implantology, hard and soft tissue reconstruction, and gingival (gum) grafting. Dr. Setter practices in downtown Portland in a private practice dedicated to all aspects of periodontics and dental implantology.
Dr. Setter lives in Portland with his wife, Shelby, a pediatric dentist in Oregon City. Together, they enjoy hiking, snow skiing, golf, boating, and travel. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Setter also has a passion for music, movies, and gadgets of all sorts.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums surrounding your teeth. Gum disease is the top reason for tooth loss in adults and because it is virtually painless, many patients do not know they have the disease! It involves serious bacterial infections that destroy thegum attachmentand supporting bone that holds your teeth in your mouth. Certain factors can increase a patient's risk of developing periodontal disease, including:
Treatment Options If you've been diagnosed with gum disease, there are a variety of treatment options depending on the complexity of your situation and the severity of the problem. We always start with the most conservative and least invasive options, including non-surgical therapies and deep cleanings. In more advanced cases, additional surgical treatment may be necessary.
Non-Surgical Treatment The first line of defense against the spread of gum disease is a unique type of cleaning called scaling and root planing. In this procedure, an ultrasonic cleaning device is used to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth where regular cleaning devices can't reach: under the gum line on the tooth and the root. The goal is to leave a healthy, clean tooth and root surface that makes it easier for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth.
If gum disease treatment is initiated before it becomes severe, scaling and root planing may be the only treatment you need. However, as with any dental procedure, your home care is essential to maintaining a healthy mouth and ensuring that our treatments are successful. In order to maintain a healthy mouth and resist future occurrences of gum disease, you must brush and floss daily, eat a healthy diet, avoid tobacco use, and have regular dental checkups.
Surgical Treatment Options If the tissue or bone surrounding your teeth is too damaged to be repaired with non-surgical treatment, several surgical procedures are available to prevent severe damage and restore a healthy smile. We will recommend the procedure that is best suited to the condition of your teeth and gums. Several of the surgical treatment options include:
Pocket Reduction In a healthy mouth, the teeth are firmly surrounded by gum tissue and securely supported by the bones of the jaw. Periodontal disease damages these tissues and bones, leaving open spaces around the teeth that we call pockets. The larger these pockets are, the easier it is for bacteria to collect inside them, leading to more and more damage over time. Eventually the supportive structure degrades to the point that the tooth either falls out or needs to be removed.
During pocket reduction procedures (also known as gum surgery), we fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria hiding underneath, as well as the hardened plaque and tartar that have collected. We re-shape the tissues around the teeth and stitch the healthy tissue back into place. Now that the tooth and root are free of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, and the pockets have been reduced, the gums can reattach to the teeth.
Regeneration When the bone and tissue supporting the teeth has been lost due to severe gum disease, we can restore these areas with a regeneration procedure. During this process, we begin by folding back the gum tissue and removing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Then, depending on the extent of tissues destruction, we may perform a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth in conjunction with tissue growth factors to repair the areas that have been destroyed by the disease.
Dental implants are replacement teeth that look and feel just like your own, unlike false teeth such as a bridge or partial denture! When a tooth is lost, its best to consider implant replacement as promptly as possible in order to minimize negative effects of tooth loss, which include reduced chewing ability, bone loss, and shifting teeth. After tooth loss, the load on each remaining tooth is increased because there are fewer of them. To restore proper chewing ability, the support lost from the missing tooth needs to be replaced.
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that the teeth appear natural and that facial contours are preserved. The implants themselves aresmall biocompatible titanium roots that are placed into the area where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration and facial collapse which occurs when teeth are missing. When teeth are lost, the jawbone degenerates. Nature follows a use it or lose it phenomenon! Where implants have been properly placed and maintained, the bone tends to be preserved since it is still being used. Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life. Dr. Setter has extensive training and experience in Dental Implant Surgery, including completion of the Misch International Implant Institute and attaining Fellowship status in the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He includes the most up-to-date technology and techniques in all of his treatment so that your treatment achieves outstanding results using minimally-invasive procedures.
Dental Implant and Grafting Procedures Dental implants act as tooth root replacements which are placed into the jawbone. Some patients may have been told in the past thatthey don'thave enough bone for successful dental implants. Dr. Setter uses the most current technology and procedures such as sinus grafting and ridge augmentation which can help correct this problem by naturallyand predictably replacing lost bone and gums. Because of the protocol we use, most patients surprisingly report little to no discomfort during and after the procedure. For most patients, dental implants can be placed in just one visit. In the first step, implants are placed within your jawbone under local anesthesia, the same feeling as when you get a filling or crown. Most patients have very little discomfort following the procedure, many stating its as easy as (or easier than) getting a filling. For the firstthree to twelve weeks following this step, the implants are gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to function normally with some type of temporary replacement during this time. After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. At this time, your restorative dentist designs the final tooth replacement, which will ultimately improve both function and esthetics. An impression (mold) must be taken to match the replacement tooth to your existing dentition. Then, a small connector can be placed to anchor the new tooth (crown) to the implant. The entire procedure usually takes two to four months and most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily lives. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or an entire bite. They can also be used to anchor dentures and partials to improve their fit, stability, and function. Implants are designed to be long-term tooth replacements, lasting longer and more predictably than other tooth replacement options.
We want each and every patient to feel like a welcome guest in our home. Dr. Setter and his staff will go the extra mile to ensure patient comfort. Our focus is helping you to maintain a healthy, functional and comfortable smile utilizing the latest techniques and state-of-the-art technology .
1) Technical expertise - As a recent graduate of the prestigious University of Washington Periodontics Residency and Mich International Implant Institute and 2011 Graduate in Periodontics, Dr. Setter is up to date on the latest technologies and treatment options having to do with periodontal care, dental implants, occlusal therapy, guided tissue regeneration, cosmetic procedures (root coverage, esthetic crown lengthening), bone and soft tissue grafting, sinus grafting, bite splint therapy, and atraumatic extractions. Dr. Setters extensive training allows him to treat the most extensive cases including full mouth reconstruction and rehabilitation. Dr. Setter is also a Board-eligible Member of the American Academy of periodontology and a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantology and strives for the most current continuing education in his field.
2) Relationship focus - We believe a patient is more than just a patient. We want to build our relationships on the foundation of trust and gentle care. For our patients and, the dentists who refer their patients to us, you can be sure that we want to have a real and complete understanding of your needs, concerns and clinical condition. We work hard to educate our patients and inform them of their treatment options. Each patient is thereby empowered them to make healthy decisions to achieve and maintain outstanding results. During that time, our staff will also work to see that you are comfortable, attended to and relaxed. When youre comfortable, were comfortable!
3) For our referring dentists - Dr. Setter and his staff are appreciative of the referrals to our office. We will treat each and every patient with the utmost respect and courtesy and realize that your referral is also a reflection of your office. Our goal is to provide positive dental experiences enabl