When it comes to having a healthy, beautiful smile, you cant simply take care of your teeth and ignore your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. As support for your teeth, your gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, and issues with your gum health (also called periodontal health) can jeopardize your oral and overall well-being. Our team at Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of Tallahassee specializes in this area of dentistry and can provide the services you need to make sure you have a strong, healthy smileno matter its current state.

Dr. Rasmussen and our team members look forward to helping you regain a smile that youre proud to show to the world. We work hard to give you a positive, even pleasant, experience during each visit by meeting your unique needs every step of the way.

Dr. Matthew Rasmussen has the requisite training and qualifications to handle even the most complex dental implant cases. As a board-certified periodontist, he continues to hone his skills and knowledge through advanced, cutting-edge training courses, but he also listens to and responds to every patients concerns. When you choose Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of Tallahassee, you know youre getting the finest care available!

We believe in empowering our patients to make the best treatment decisions possible. How do we do this? Instead of using complicated dental jargon that can confuse patients, Dr. Rasmussen and the rest of our team clearly explain the issue and the solutions in terms that everyone can understand. With this information, patients can feel confident moving forward with the right care that will benefit their smile and long-term oral health.

Dr. Rasmussen actually grew up as the son of a dentist and a periodontist, so he learned plenty about oral healthcare from a very young age. While in high school, he worked in both of his parents dental offices as an assistant but it was only once he began volunteering at local clinics throughout his undergrad years that he decided to officially go to dental school. He loved having the opportunity to change someones smile and seeing the appreciation he and his team were showed in return. Today, he couldnt imagine doing anything else!

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, Dr. Rasmussen earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. This was followed by two subsequent residencies at UAB in Birmingham to specialize in periodontics. In the last year, he served as the Chief Resident, which is awarded to only one person in the program each year. Soon after, he achieved the great honor of becoming a Board-Certified Periodontist.

Today, Dr. Rasmussen is a part of the Seattle Study Clubs local chapter in Tampa, FL and regularly completes over 50 hours of continuing education each year. He also lectures at several nearby study clubs on soft tissue grafting and dental implant placement and is a current member of the following organizations:

When he isnt busy at the practice, Dr. Rasmussen absolutely loves playing golf hed play every day if he could! He also grew up a football fan and still roots for his hometown Buccaneers, as well as his Alma Mater (the Gators, who sadly arent as popular here in Tallahassee). He is additionally a professional pilot with well over 500 hours in the sky so far.

Dr. Rasmussen is extremely passionate about volunteer dentistry. While in the Tampa area, he consistently donated his efforts at Mission Smiles. This has not changed in Tallahassee, as he volunteers at the Kearney Center weekly to help the homeless population.

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath the gums surface to recreate the root structure of a missing tooth. It is then used to provide support for a new crown, bridge, or denture that shows above the gum line. Once the implant has fully healed, you can expect your replacement tooth to last for many decades and feel almost indistinguishable from your existing teeth. Chewing your favorite foods, smiling with confidence, and performing oral hygiene are simple, seamless, and enjoyable once again. These reasons and more are why dentists recommend dental implants over traditional options every day!

Before beginning, we will ensure that you are numb, comfortable, and ready to begin your surgery. Well also administer sedation if you requested it ahead of treatment. Next, Dr. Rasmussen will create a tiny incision in your gums to access your jawbone. Then, he will make a small hole in the bone for the placement of your implant. After the implant has been placed, hell close the gum tissue up with stitches so the implant can start to heal and integrate. Before you leave, hell go over the best aftercare steps to ensure no complications appear during your recovery.

Once the dental implants are placed, youll leave our office to begin a 4 to 6 monthlong healing period. This is known as osseointegration and its designed to give the implant time to fuse with the jawbone. Thanks to the titanium post, the human body can receive it safely, much like implants in other parts of the body (such as the hip).

When the implant has fully fused, an abutment can be attached. This small cap is meant to provide additional stability to the restoration. To place it, Dr. Rasmussen carefully opens the gum tissue to expose the implant, then places the abutment and stitches the gums closed one more time. The gums will then begin to heal around the abutment over the next few weeks.

After this is complete, youll come back into our office, where Dr. Rasmussen will place your permanent crown, bridge, or denture on top of the implant to restore your entire tooth from the roots up. The restoration will be customized to not only look natural from all angles, but keep the bite as even as possible. Your replacement tooth is created by a trusted dental lab outside of the office, so you can expect it to last for decades and even reflect light similarly to natural enamel.

Dental implants are very different from traditional bridges and dentures that just sit on top of the gums. Instead, Dr. Rasmussen places small titanium posts into the jawbone that act as artificial tooth roots, and these are used to support the new teeth. This approach brings with it a host of advantages. The benefits of dental implants in Tallahassee are many, and you wont find another tooth replacement solution that offers the same level of success, functionality, and stability. To prepare for your new prosthetics, check out the unique advantages you can expect from dental implants! If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact our office !

In order to be a good candidate for dental implants, a patient needs decent oral health and a jawbone strong enough to support the new roots. If either of these is lacking, Dr. Rasmussen can help (see Advanced Dental Implant Procedures below). Once he determines that a patients mouth is in good enough shape to safely receive implants, he can place the posts, which can be paired with a variety of restorations depending on a patients needs.

A single implant can be placed into the jawbone between two healthy teeth and topped with a porcelain crown without disturbing the nearby dental structure at all. This is much less invasive compared to a bridge, in which the neighboring teeth have to be filed down to support the prosthetic.

For consecutive missing teeth or those located throughout the mouth, implants can also serve as the foundation for a bridge or partial denture. This gives the prosthetics a strength and security removable ones simply cant match.

Even people missing all of their teeth along a single row can benefit from implant dentistry. Using a small number of implant roots, a full denture can be anchored to the jawbone that looks better, provides a stronger bite, and lasts longer than any traditional one.

The first question well need to answer is: how many teeth are missing? A single implant is enough to fill in a single gap, but when youve lost multiple teeth, the exact number of posts youll need depends on the situation. Two dental implants and a fixed bridge can replace 3 to 6 teeth in a row. If an entire arch is gone, full dentures can be supported by as few as 4 implants. Obviously, the exact number of implants needed and the kind of prosthetic tooth or teeth they support have a significant influence on the final cost of the procedure.

While dental implants initially seem to cost more than other kinds of tooth replacement, theyre certainly worth the price. Not only do they look and feel natural while letting you chew all your favorite foods, but they can also prevent resorption in the jaw (the natural consequence of losing teeth).

Unlike other restorations, dental implants can potentially last the rest of your life. This can make them the most cost-effective option since you wont have to pay for new ones nearly as often. Of course, if you want to make sure you get the most out of your investment, you should make sure your implants are being placed by an expert; fortunately, Dr. Rasmussen is a board-certified periodontist who is well experienced in performing this particular procedure.

Many plans wont pay for implants, but others might; it all depends on who your carrier is. Bear in mind that even if your insurance wont pay for the posts themselves, it may help cover certain related procedures such as treatment for gum disease. Our practice offers in-network savings, but were more than happy to file a claim for an out-of-network provider or offer third-party financing through CareCredit.

A dentists or periodontists skill is one of the most important factors in whether or not a dental implant procedure is successful. However, dental implant technology in Tallahassee also plays a key role. Innovations in the tools used during treatment planning and execution allow for more precise procedures, more efficient surgery, and a lower risk of complications. Below, you will find information about just a few of the instruments and techniques that Dr. Rasmussen uses to promote positive outcomes for his patients.

A cone beam scanner, also called a CBCT scanner or 3D CT scanner, is basically a super-powered X-Ray. It uses a cone-shaped beam of radiation to capture highly detailed images of your oral structures. It is much more precise than a regular digital X-Ray and provides our team a comprehensive view of your teeth, jawbone, nerves, and connective tissues.

Using this type of 3D imaging, Dr. Rasmussen is able to create a highly detailed model of a patients jawbone and surrounding oral structures. This helps him take all the guesswork out of someones implant placement procedure. He can identify the perfect locations within the jawbone for the new tooth roots, determine the thickness of the bone, and even figure out the angle the implant should be placed at to provide the strongest foundation possible for the new teeth. By the time the actual procedure starts, a positive result is practically guaranteed.

The scanning process with a CBCT machine is fast, noninvasive and painless. After our team positions you in the machine, all you have to do is stay still while the scan is performed (usually in under one minute). You wont have to do anything special to prepare for your scan, except perhaps remove jewelry or other objects that might interfere with the accuracy of the final images.

Many dentists use freehand techniques to place dental implants in Tallahassee. In most cases, freehand placement is successful. However, if a patient requires multiple implants or has other complicating factors, freehand surgery comes with an increased risk of problems.

That is why Dr. Rasmussen , your implant dentist in Tallahassee, often uses guided surgery techniques. Using a custom surgical guide from a trustworthy dental laboratory, he can place your prosthetic tooth roots precisely where they belong, inserting them at the correct location, angle, and depth. This reduces the risk of post-op complications and can even shorten patient recovery time.

The guided surgery process takes longer and requires more preparation than freehand implant placement. However, it is often a pivotal part of successful treatment. If you are missing multiple teeth or have other concerns that might make your treatment more complex than an average dental implant procedure, it is especially important that you partner with a doctor who offers guided surgery.

To become a periodontist, Dr. Rasmussen had to complete years of specialty training on top of dental school that was specifically dedicated to placing dental implants. Because of this, hes able to use the latest technology and help many patients who typically wouldnt be able to get implants using various bone grafts. This enables even more people to enjoy the most complete tooth replacement available today. Read on below to learn about some of the advanced dental implant procedures for Tallahassee, FL dental patients that can rebuild your smile.

Using 3D imaging, Dr. Rasmussen is able to create a highly-detailed model of a patients jawbone and surrounding oral structures. This helps him take all the guesswork out of someones implant placement procedure. He can identify the perfect locations within the jawbone for the new roots, determine the thickness of the bone, and even figure out the angle the implant should be placed at to provide the strongest foundation possible for the new teeth. By the time the actual procedure starts, a positive result is practically guaranteed.

In addition to the gums themselves, gum disease can also break down the underlying jawbone that supports the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. This is largely why gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S! For patients who have experienced this, bone regeneration is used to build the jawbone back up so it can be strong and thick enough to support an implant. A collagen membrane is applied directly to the bone where it needs to grow, and this material stimulates the generation of new tissue exactly where a patient is lacking.

Often, before a patient receives dental implants, any broken or decayed teeth have to be removed. In order to ensure that implants can be placed as quickly as possible after an extraction, the surrounding bone must be looked after. Ridge preservation is a procedure that helps protect and strengthen the nearby jawbone that used to support a tooth so it will be thick enough to hold an implant. Depending on a patients specific situation, this treatment can be performed on the same day as an extraction.

Even if your dental implant fails, something that is extremely unlikely to happen when you practice routine oral hygiene, there are ways to save it and prevent the need from removing it outright. Our office is prepared to confirm any problems and create a treatment plan that works to restore your smile.

Many, many people are interested in getting dental implants to replace their missing teeth, but theyre full of questions. If this includes yougreat! Just considering this treatment is a huge step forward and shows that you are taking your oral health seriously. Below, youll find answers to some of the frequently asked dental implant questions our team receives every day. For questions that havent been touched on here, be sure to give us a call and ask!

The answer to this really depends on the patient and their specific situation, but side by side, dental implants offer the most natural-looking, secure, and reliable tooth replacement compared to every other treatment. If a patient is a good candidate for them, Dr. Rasmussen always highly recommends implants.

Most patients describe feeling very little during the placement procedure thanks to local anesthetic, though a little soreness and swelling is common afterward. This can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and will quickly subside, and most patients are able to resume their normal routine within a few days.

Periodontists like Dr. Rasmussen have received training specifically dedicated to placing dental implants, unlike many general dentists. When you visit Dr. Rasmussen, you can trust he has performed whatever procedure you need countless times before and already used it to help innumerable patients recover their missing teeth. Hes also able to provide many advanced services that will make the treatment process faster, more comfortable, and more successful.

Its true that dental implants hold restorations that are made from inorganic material (porcelain), which means they cannot develop decay like natural enamel can. However, that does not mean you can skip your oral care routine. Bacteria can still attack the gum tissue surrounding the implant, further proving the importance of maintaining brushing and flossing every day.

Dental implants are made from high-quality, durable, and lifelike porcelain to ensure the best longevity possible for your tooth replacement. However, that does not make them indestructible. Much like natural teeth, implant restorations need to be regularly protected from forced sudden trauma or long-term habits that can break them down. This includes injuries that could occur while playing contact sports or habits like teeth grinding and clenching (also known as bruxism.)

The good news is you can easily avoid permanent damage to your replacement teeth by wearing a mouthguard or nightguard, depending on your needs. Ideally, youll want to choose a custom-made nightguard as they are far more effective at protecting teeth, last longer, and feel more comfortable overall compared to store-bought solutions. Our office will gladly partner you with a trusted dentist in the area to design your future oral appliance.

Once your implant is placed, we need to make sure that the healing process goes as planned and that your mouth does not reject the implant after its attached to the jawbone. Furthermore, we want to confirm that no underlying symptoms (i.e. inflammation, swelling, gum recession etc.) are present, all which are signs of a dental infection caused by the implant. Even though this is unlikely to occur, its better to be safe rather than sorry.

While a dental cleaning is used to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, a periodontal cleaning primarily focuses on doing the same for your gum line. This can help prevent the onset of gum disease, stop it from spreading around the mouth, and fix common issues like sensitivity and minor bleeding. Typically, a patient needs to have one completed every three to four months for it to effectively prevent infection.

There are many different types of oral bacteria, but only a few specific varieties lead to gum disease. Determining which kinds are in a patients mouth and how much there is can greatly influence the kind of treatment someone needs. Combining a visual exam with swabs taken from a patients mouth, our team can pinpoint the source of an infection, so we can address it in the most effective way possible. Plus, the presence of certain bacteria can be an indicator of other issues going on in the body, enabling a patient to seek out treatment at the initial signs of a problem.

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, which is characterized by inflamed and sensitive gums. Typically, this is the result of plaque and tartar being allowed to accumulate on the teeth below the gum line, exposing the nearby tissues to harmful bacteria. Scaling and root planing, sometimes collectively referred to as a deep cleaning, is used to remove these deposits. Once the roots of the teeth have been thoroughly cleaned during the scaling portion, root planing involves slightly reshaping the roots of the teeth and smoothing their rough surfaces. This encourages faster healing and helps prevent plaque and tartar from building up near the gums in the future.

Gum disease cannot only damage the soft tissues of the mouth but the jawbone underneath the gums as well. This can lead to a defect in the bone that creates a space where bacteria can easily gather, thrive, and cause more harm. Osseous surgery is a minor procedure in which the gum tissue is slightly pulled back so the nearby jawbone can be reshaped. This will enable it to provide better support for the teeth and gums, plus it will stop bacteria from accumulating.

More than 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year alone, and less than half will be alive in the next five years because the disease wasnt caught until it was quite advanced. Early detection and treatment are crucial, so whenever a patient comes to see us, we will always perform an oral cancer screening. If we find any signs of cancerous or precancerous tissues in the mouth, we can refer a patient to a medical doctor to get a proper diagnosis. This way, treatment can be started immediately if needed.

Your periodontist takes patient comfort seriously during periodontal cleanings in Tallahassee. Although it isnt always necessary, your periodontist may use a local numbing agent or anesthetics to avoid any discomfort. The likeliness of pain depends on the depths of the periodontal pockets. The deeper the pockets, the more likely you may experience some discomfort.

Yes, many dental insurance plans offer coverage for periodontal cleanings. If the treatment is necessary to prevent or stop gum disease, you can use your benefits to lower the amount youll pay out-of-pocket. Although every plan differs, many dental policies list deep cleanings as a basic procedure. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your benefits to keep a healthy smile within your budget.

Chronic bad breath is often caused by an overgrowth of bad oral bacteria. Periodontal disease causes an infection deep within the gum pockets, leading to a plethora of odor-causing bacteria. A deep cleaning removes bacteria and treats the infection to freshen your breath. With a solid oral hygiene routine at home, you can keep embarrassing odors at bay.

Its normal for your gums to be swollen or sore for a couple of days. You can manage any pain or tenderness with an OTC medication. Brush and floss carefully for the next few days to avoid injuring the healing tissue. Dont smoke or drink alcohol to avoid potential complications, like an infection. Although everyones recovery differs, most feel back to normal in a couple of days.