My oral health has improved tremendously since I became a patient of Dr. Stanard a few years ago. My first visit with him was unplanned, but extremely helpful. I made an emergency appointment with my regular dentist for what seemed to be a terrible toothache. He found no cavities and suspected that I might need a root canal and sent me to an endodontist. The endodontist did some tests but found nothing indicating the need for a root canal and suggested that I see a periodontist, and fortunately she shared an office with Dr. Standard. He quickly determined that I had a gum infection and performed some deep cleaning and administration of antibiotics that brought the pain, which was actually due to a gum infection, to a quick end.
The infection that he treated was due to periodontal disease, which as Dr. Stanard advised, can be managed but never fully goes away. I had many large, measurable pockets of 5 mm or deeper whereas anything above 3 mm is concerning. My oral hygiene regime needed to be improved significantly, and Dr. Stanard taught me techniques and practices, from proper flossing to daily use of a proxi-brush and perio-aid, to keep my gums as clean as possible. I followed up with Dr. Stanard several times a year for additional cleanings, and over time my periodontal health improved significantly, and all pocket depths are normal except for at the very back of the wisdom teeth where the depths are less relevant to overall oral health. (It is very hard for a person to brush, floss, and perform the other aspects of hygiene as thoroughly around the wisdom teeth.)
Last year, Dr. Stanard pointed out that I had a few areas where my gum tissue was very thin and recommended a gum graft. I was hesitant at first, because I was worried it would be painful and a bit expensive even with dental insurance, but after waiting about a year and seeing the tissue continue to thin, opted for the procedure. Well prior to the appointment, Dr. Stanard's office submitted a request for pre-certification to my insurance company. It was approved, and I knew exactly how much my co-pay would be so there were no surprises on that end. In mid-December 2016, Dr. Stanard performed the gum graft on my upper left side and it has turned out flawlessly. The procedure itself was not painful and Dr. Stanard explained each step of the process as it unfolded. It is true that you don't feel great for a few days afterwards, but he prescribed medicine that significantly reduced the swelling and eliminated the pain. Within a week, my mouth felt pretty close to normal, and it only continued to feel better as it healed and the stitches were removed from the gums. I am pleased to report that I now possess completely healthy gums on the upper left side thanks to the graft. Dr. Stanard is a consummate professional and I definitely recommend him to anyone who wants to improve their periodontal health or is in need of gum surgery. read more