Periodontists, like Dr. Rascon, specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions that affect the surrounding structures of the teeth (periodontitis) and dental implants (peri-implantitis). Dr. Rascon also performs cosmetic gum procedures and places dental implants. In addition to completing dental school, as all dentists do, periodontists like Dr. Rascon pursue a post-graduate residency in the specialty that lasts up to three years. This additional education experience gives periodontists, including Dr. Rascon, the opportunity to focus specifically on the numerous aspects of conditions that affect periodontal tissues (gum, bone, and ligament) and dental implants.

While Dr. Rascon's practice does not participate with insurance companies, you may be eligible for benefits for some procedures performed in our office. We would be happy to file a claim for reimbursement on your behalf.

The team at MicroPerio are excited about meeting with you to explore the best ways to improve your periodontal and oral health. Your initial visit will be the start of a healthy and long-lasting relationship. Be prepared to provide a thorough review of your medical history. Dr. Rascon will take the time to get to know you and your needs and provide personalized treatment during your consultation visit.

Dr. Rascon and her team care about your well-being and want to ensure you have a smooth recovery period. Here are the recommendations Dr. Rascon advises:

After an oral surgery procedure: Please don’t partake in any strenuous activity for a few days. Immediately after surgery, Dr. Rascon advises that you relax at home for the rest of the day.

Medication: Please take any medications that Dr. Rascon prescribes to you as instructed. If you choose not to, please be advised that it can affect the healing process and overall success of your procedure. If you experience any adverse reactions to your medications, such as nausea, itching, swelling, or any allergic symptoms, please discontinue all medications and contact Dr. Rascon's office immediately.

NOTE: It is very important that you do not consume alcohol while taking your medications. Additionally, driving or operating dangerous equipment while taking narcotics (e.g. Vicodin® or Tylenol #3®) can be very dangerous. Medications should generally not be taken on an empty stomach.

Discomfort: You can experience some discomfort when the numbness from the anesthetic wears off. To avoid this discomfort, Dr. Rascon recommends you take the first dose of the prescribed anti-inflammatory pain medication while the surgical site still feels numb. Usually, this is done at Dr. Rascon's office after the procedure.

Bleeding: While bleeding may be possible after your surgery, it should be minimal. Additionally, there may be a pink tinge to your saliva for several hours. Bright red bleeding is not to be expected and is not usually a normal symptom after surgery. If you do experience bleeding, apply a moistened tea bag (not herbal tea) to the surgical area for 15 minutes; let it rest for 15 minutes, then repeat for a second time only. It is very important that you contact Dr. Rascon's office immediately if you experience any heavy bleeding.

Swelling: Immediately following your oral surgery, you may experience some swelling. To keep this to a minimum, apply an ice bag wrapped in a towel to the outside of the face, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off, for a period of 4 hours. Dr. Rascon also suggests that you practice gentle rinsing with cold liquids. It’s very important that you avoid using a straw, as suction can cause bleeding. For any residual swelling after the first 48 hours, heat is encouraged to increase circulation and healing. You can apply this with a hot water bottle or heating pad. If your swelling becomes progressively worse after 2-3 days, please call Dr. Rascon's office immediately.

Stitches: Sutures, or stitches, are placed to hold the gum tissues in the correct position for optimum healing. If stitches were placed during your procedure, Dr. Rascon will want you to return once sufficient healing has occurred to remove them. It is very important that you do not disturb the stitches in any manner because this can impair proper healing. Please contact Dr. Rascon's office immediately if you notice that any of your stitches have come out or come loose.

Hygiene: You can continue your oral hygiene routine in the non-operated areas of your mouth with daily brushing and flossing. However, please be careful not to disrupt the healing areas. You may rinse gently with a mouthwash, like Listerine®, or a simple salt water solution. Once your sutures have been removed, you may lightly clean the teeth in the operated area using an extra soft toothbrush.

Rinsing: No rinsing for the first 24 hours. 24 hours after surgery, you should start warm (not hot) salt water rinses 3-4 times daily for the week after surgery. To create your salt water rinse, mix together a 1/2 tsp. salt in a tall glass of water.

Eating: You should be able to maintain a relatively normal diet throughout the course of healing, and it’s important you do not try any new diets post-surgery. For the first few days, you can eat nutritional supplements such as Boost® or Ensure® or soft foods (i.e. blended foods, mashed potatoes, yogurt, ice cream, soups, eggs, fish, pasta, Jell-O, pudding, oatmeal, etc.). It may be necessary to only consume liquids for the first day if you find chewing to be uncomfortable. Dr. Rascon recommends that you chew on the side opposite the surgical site and please avoid any hard or gritty foods such as peanuts, popcorn, chips, or hard bread for 3-4 days after surgery. Also, it is best to avoid spicy or heavily seasoned foods for the initial 24 hours after surgery.

Smoking: Oral surgery healing results are significantly worse for smokers than non-smokers. If you do choose to smoke, Dr. Rascon advises that you discontinue use until after your sutures have been removed to promote the optimum success of your procedure. If you can’t quit completely, please refrain from smoking for the first 24-48 hours after oral surgery. | | Does treatment hurt? | Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care visits might be as often as every few weeks or as frequent as every six months. But not to worry, everyone’s situation is different.

The frequency of your supportive care visits with Dr. Rascon will be influenced by the following circumstances:

The type of periodontal disease you have
The type of periodontal treatment you’ve had
Your response to treatment
Your susceptibility to further breakdown
Your rate of plaque growth
Your commitment to good oral home care
If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to visit Dr. Rascon's contact page and send us a message with everything that may be on your mind concerning your treatment. | | Who should perform supportive periodontal therapy? | The answer depends on you and the severity of your gum disease.

Generally, the more severe your periodontal disease initially, the more often Dr. Rascon will need to oversee your care.

Together, you, your general dentist, and Dr. Rascon will work out the most effective schedule for your supportive periodontal care.

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care visits might be as often as every few weeks or as frequent as every six months. But not to worry, everyone’s situation is different.

The frequency of your supportive care visits with Dr. Rascon will be influenced by the following circumstances:

- The type of periodontal disease you have.
- The type of periodontal treatment you’ve had.
- Your response to treatment.
- Your susceptibility to further breakdown.
- Your rate of plaque growth.
- Your commitment to good oral home care.

If you have additional questions please don't hesitate to visit our contact page and send us a message with everything that may be on your mind concerning your treatment.

The answer depends on you and the severity of your gum disease.

Generally, the more severe your periodontal disease initially, the more often Dr. Rascon will need to oversee your care.

Together, you, your general dentist, and Dr. Rascon will work out the most effective schedule for your supportive periodontal care.