• 10777 Sunset Office Dr Ste. 310, Sunset Hills, MO 63127
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Periodontics

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in St. Louis, MO

Periodontics

If you suffer from advanced gum disease, tooth loss, or cosmetic imperfections affecting your gums, you need care from a specialist.

Periodontics is a specialized field of dentistry focusing on the health and appearance of the gums and structures that support the teeth.

When should you schedule a visit to Justin M Schlaikjer, DDS, MS Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in St. Louis, MO?

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Call (314) 526-2341 or send a message!

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Periodontists like Dr. Schlaikjer Commonly Treat

Missing Teeth

Photo of bleeding and receding gums, signs of periodontal disease treated by Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS in Sunset Hills

Gum Disease

Gummy smile before treatment, candidate for gum contouring at Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS in Sunset Hills, MO

"Gummy" Smile

​And a Range of Periodontal Issues:

  • Bad Breath: Also known as halitosis, bad breath may be a symptom of gum disease and may not resolve on its own even with good oral hygiene.  
  • Bone Loss from Trauma, Gum Disease, or Tooth Loss: When you lose a tooth or when an infection affects the bone tissue, your bone can begin to recede.
  • Exposed Tooth Roots: Exposed tooth roots related to gum recession can cause pain and sensitivity.
  • “Gummy” Smiles: If your gum-to-tooth ratio is unbalanced, it can make your teeth look smaller and affect your self-esteem. 
  • Gum Recession: Receding gums can affect your comfort and the look of your smile. 
  • Impacted Teeth: Impacted teeth, often affecting the wisdom teeth, can damage surrounding tissue and cause infection.
  • Infected Gum Pockets: When tartar and plaque build up in deep gum pockets, it can damage your teeth and even the bone tissue.  
  • Loose Teeth: If treated early on, loose teeth can usually be saved with personalized periodontics procedures.
  • Missing Teeth: Missing teeth can be embarrassing and lead to additional dental issues like misalignment, further tooth loss, and bone loss.
  • Peri-Implantitis: If you have dental implants, periodontal disease around the implant site can lead to implant failure.
  • Periodontal Abscess: Pockets of infection in the gum tissue require specialized care from a periodontist.
  • Swelling or Bleeding of the Gums: A dentist can usually treat these early symptoms of periodontal disease but a periodontist can also provide relief.
Portrait of Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS, MS, St. Louis periodontist in white coat

Visit a Periodontist Today to Improve Your Dental Health & Wellness

Certain oral health concerns need more than a traditional dentist. In order to effectively treat periodontal disease, gum recession, and any issues related to missing teeth, it’s important that you meet with a periodontist.

A periodontist focuses on periodontal health as well as the bone structure that supports the teeth and gums. Many dentists refer their patients to periodontists to address specific dental health problems that affect the gum tissue, jawbone, and other structures of the mouth.

Dr. Schlaikjer has practiced dentistry in the St. Louis, MO, area for more than 10 years. Following an accurate diagnosis, he can recommend the ideal dental services that meet your needs.

To learn more about dental treatments that can enhance the health and appearance of your gums, contact our periodontal practice online. You can also schedule a consultation by phone.

Logo for the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)
American Dental Association (ADA) logo in blue
Small NASP logo, North America Society of Periodontists emblem

Gum Disease Is Extremely Common

What Is Gum Disease?

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease refers to inflammation of the gum tissue caused by the oral bacteria that naturally occurs in the mouth. If gum disease does not get treated in a timely manner, it can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, the spread of infection to other parts of the mouth, and a dental abscess.

In addition, periodontal disease has been linked to a number of systemic conditions that affect your general health. According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), studies have found links between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and even Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Schlaikjer can treat different stages of periodontal disease at his St. Louis office, restoring your oral health and the aesthetics of your smile in the process. He will also provide information on gum disease prevention, which can help ensure good periodontal health for years to come.

Infographic showing CDC statistic that half of U.S. adults over 30 suffer from gum disease, highlighting importance of periodontal care in Sunset Hills

What Is Gum Disease?

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease refers to inflammation of the gum tissue caused by the oral bacteria that naturally occurs in the mouth. If gum disease does not get treated in a timely manner, it can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, the spread of infection to other parts of the mouth, and a dental abscess.

In addition, periodontal disease has been linked to a number of systemic conditions that affect your general health. According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), studies have found links between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and even Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Schlaikjer can treat different stages of periodontal disease at his St. Louis office, restoring your oral health and the aesthetics of your smile in the process. He will also provide information on gum disease prevention, which can help ensure good periodontal health for years to come.

Illustration of gum disease progression with plaque buildup and inflammation, treated at Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer’s periodontal office in Sunset Hills

Stages of Gum Disease

UNDERSTANDING HOW PERIODONTAL DISEASE PROGRESSES

Gingivitis

In the earliest stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis symptoms include swollen gums, discolored gums, and bad breath.

Periodontitis

A more advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis symptoms include gum recession, loose teeth, and sore or sensitive teeth.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontitis typically involves tooth loss, changes in tooth alignment, pus along the gum line, and severe oral pain.

About Gum Grafts

Gum grafts are used to restore the gumline after a person has experienced gum recession. This may be due to gum disease, smoking, teeth grinding (bruxism), or other dental health issues. The soft tissue used to restore the missing gum tissue can come from the roof of the mouth or from another part of the gumline. In other cases, synthetic materials or donated tissue can be used. Dr. Schlaikjer can determine the ideal grafting option based on your needs.

Once gum grafting is complete, patients can experience a restored smile that looks great and feels healthy.

Periodontist performing gum grafting or recession evaluation, part of soft tissue treatment in Sunset Hills, MO at Dr. Schlaikjer’s office

Appointment Request

Whether you suffer from periodontal disease, gum recession, or more advanced oral health issues, Dr. Schlaikjer can help. With more than a decade in dental practice, he can diagnose and treat a host of dental problems affecting different structures of the mouth. As a periodontist, he receives referrals from dentists all over the St. Louis, MO, area.

To learn more about the services we offer, contact our dental practice online.

You can also reach our periodontal office by phone.

Main Form

Our Address:

  • 10777 Sunset Office Dr Ste. 310,
    Sunset Hills, MO 63127

Phone Number:

Working Hours:

  • Mon-Thrs: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
    Fri: 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
    Sat & Sun: Closed

We offer different treatment options for missing teeth...

Dental Implants

Tooth loss affects your ability to eat and speak normally. These gaps may also make you reluctant to laugh and smile around others, including people you’ve known for many years. Rather than dentures and bridgework, you may want to consider implant dentistry.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into your jawbone. Made from titanium and other biocompatible materials, the implants fuse with the bone structure. This allows the dental implants to function much like natural tooth roots.

Dental implants are designed to support dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. At our St. Louis office, we will determine your candidacy for dental implants and custom tailor the treatment to your needs. We can even discuss financing options to help make dental implants more affordable.

Close-up of single tooth dental implant procedure, available at Dr. Schlaikjer’s periodontal office in Sunset Hills

All-on-4 Implants

Traditional dentures can restore your ability to bite, chew, and smile, but they may slip out of place even if you’re using denture creams and adhesives. An implant-supported denture, by comparison, will never cause these issues.

Rather than traditional implant dentistry, some patients choose All-on-4®. All-on-4 is a system that supports a full-arch denture on just four dental implants.

All-on-4 dental implants allow patients to experience the benefits of an implant-supported denture much faster than traditional implant dentistry treatment and often without the need for a bone graft.

3D illustration of full arch dental implants, All-on-4 treatment option at Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS in Sunset Hills, MO

Watch how we place dental implants in our office...

We Use the Yomi Robotic SystemFor Robot-Assisted Dental Implant Surgery

The Yomi® Robotic System by Neocis is a dental technology that has been cleared by the FDA in the U.S. to provide assistance before and during dental implant placement surgery. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS, Periodontics and Implant Dentistry is the first dental practice in the state of Missouri to use this groundbreaking technology.

This technology allows our oral surgeon to plan surgery and place implants without having to create a surgical guide. This means you can undergo your procedure immediately, without having to wait a week for a surgical guide to be created. It also offers a variety of other benefits.

Advanced dental technology and robotic equipment used at Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS in Sunset Hills for precise implant placement

The Benefits of Yomi

Careful Planning

The Yomi system allows our oral surgeon to plan all aspects of your dental implant placement more effectively than other guided implant technologies. This results in precise treatment and better aesthetic results.

Fast Treatment

In addition to allowing same-day surgery, the Yomi Robotic System allows oral surgeons to perform a complete full-arch surgery in just 90 minutes and a dual arch surgery in two and a half hours.

Reduced Risk

The Yomi system prevents deviation from the predetermined treatment plan, meaning your surrounding anatomy is always safe. During your procedure, your oral surgeon can also make adjustments to your treatment plan based on their clinical expertise, so they’re always in control.

Smooth Recovery

Yomi offers precise treatment, so incisions can be smaller and sutures are often not required. Yomi even moves along with any movements you may make, minimizing room for error. Because of this, you can benefit from a smoother and faster recovery.

Peri-Implantitis

If you have dental implants, periodontal disease around the implant site can lead to implant failure. This form of inflammation is known as peri-implantitis. Our team can treat peri-implantitis and help extend the lifespan of your dental implants.

Do you have periodontal disease or another periodontal health issue? Here’s why you should visit our St. Louis office…

3 Reasons To Visit a Dentist Specializing In Periodontics

Comprehensive Training

While general dentists typically only treat mild or moderate periodontal disease, Dr. Schlaikjer is specially trained to address even the most complex cases right here in our office. In addition to restoring your periodontal health, Dr. Schlaikjer can perform cosmetic dentistry treatments like gum contouring and advanced restorative dentistry procedures like dental implant placement.

High-Tech Dentistry

Our dental office is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology to make your treatment faster, more comfortable, and more precise. Wherever possible, we practice laser dentistry, which offers several benefits including no incisions, reduced bleeding, and improved comfort. Using dental lasers, we can perform the innovative LANAP® procedure to remove diseased tissue and restore your periodontal health.

In-Office Surgical Care

Periodontists are specially trained to perform various types of surgical procedures including soft tissue grafting, gum surgery, and dental implant placement. Because periodontists can perform many types of surgery in-office, you don’t have to worry about coordinating your treatment with various dentists or other doctors. This makes scheduling visits much easier and more convenient.

Why not just visit your general dentist for periodontal care?

Dentists Refer Complex Casesto Specially Trained Periodontists 

Many patients have never heard of a periodontist or periodontology because their general dentists have never referred them to one. Many dentists can perform simple treatments like scaling and root planing (a dental deep cleaning) in-office, but most will refer you to a specialist if you need advanced care.

While many general dentists do not have the training or technology to perform advanced periodontal procedures, our St. Louis office has many unique capabilities available.

What Patients Are Saying!

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in St. Louis, MO

Contact JUSTIN M SCHLAIKJER DDS

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in St. Louis, MO

Main Form

Our Address:

  • 10777 Sunset Office Dr Ste. 310,
    Sunset Hills, MO 63127

Phone Number:

Working Hours:

  • Mon-Thrs: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
    Fri: 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
    Sat & Sun: Closed
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