Dr. Selma Kaplan is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. After graduation from dental school she completed a general practice residency at Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She then attended a periodontal residency at Columbia College of Dental Medicine where she received a Masters of Science in Periodontics. Dr. Kaplan was awarded The Melvin L. Morris Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Periodontics at the completion of her periodontal residency. Dr. Kaplan is board certified periodontist with the American Board of Periodontology, where she also maintains diplomate status. She is a member of several professional organizations which include: American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Northeastern Society of Periodontists and Academy of Osseointegration.

Dr. Kaplan has had extensive training in all aspects of periodontal and implant therapy including: non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy, periodontal plastic surgery, soft tissue grafting, implant site preparation, sinus grafting, tooth extraction and implant placement. In addition to private practice, she has been a clinical instructor and part-time faculty member at Columbia College of Dental Medicine.

She works in conjunction with other dentists to help patients achieve and maintain a beautiful,healthy smile. She will always take the time with patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of the importance of proper preventative periodontal care.

A: A periodontist is a dentist who has continued their education and gone on to specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontists are also experts in the placement of dental implants.

A: You should choose Dr. Kaplan as your periodontist in Norwalk, CT, because of her qualifications and her personalized care. Dr. Kaplan has an Ivy League educational background and is a board-certified periodontist. She is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association and various study clubs. In 2015, Dr. Kaplan was awarded Top Dentist in Connecticut. She and her office staff are kind, honest and provide personalized experiences for each patient.

A: It is important to remove bacteria and plaque from around your teeth to prevent tartar and tooth decay. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. Be sure to have a toothbrush that is the right size to fit into all the spaces of your mouth. Flossing should be done at least once a day to remove the plaque between teeth that is not removed by brushing alone.

A: You should have a professional dental cleaning and have your teeth checked at least twice a year, however Dr. Kaplan or your hygienist may recommend more depending on the condition of your teeth and if you have periodontal disease. These visits allow us to not only maintain your oral health but also enable us to detect oral health issues at the very first signs to prevent more serious and costlier problems.

Periodontal disease is an active and progressive infection in your mouth that, if left untreated, can travel through your bloodstream from the open wounds in your gums and infect other parts of your body as well. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and has been linked to other serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. If you think you have periodontal disease, it is very important to seek gum disease treatment immediately to save your teeth and restore your overall health. Traditional methods of gum disease treatment can be rather invasive with lengthy recovery times, but the patients of Dr. Selma Kaplan benefit from the revolutionary treatment of laser gum therapy.

Traditional gum disease treatment requires cutting away the infected tissue and surrounding bone to control the bacteria. However, cutting away some healthy gum tissue and bone is the collateral damage of using a drill. Now, using the WaterLase iPlus dental laser Dr. Kaplan harnesses the power of water and light energy to eradicate gum disease without scalpels.

The laser does not produce friction like a traditional dental drill and therefore does not produce heat. No heat means no pain. Not only is the WaterLase iPlus more precise without causing recession of healthy tissue, but it also allows for a procedure with less pain.