Healthy Gums Are the Foundation of a Healthy Smile

Your gums do more than hold your teeth in place — they protect your oral and overall health. At Elevated Dentistry, we provide specialized periodontal care for patients facing gum disease, receding gums, or needing surgical preparation for dental implants.

Our board-certified periodontist, Dr. Philip Vassilopoulos, visits our Walnut Creek practice twice a month to perform advanced periodontal procedures, including gingival grafting and sinus lifts — so you can get specialized care without being referred out.

Gum Disease: What You Need to Know

Gum disease (periodontitis) is a bacterial infection that destroys the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. It’s also linked to serious health risks like heart disease and diabetes.

Warning signs of gum disease include:

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Swollen, red, or tender gums
• Gum recession or longer-looking teeth
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• Loose or shifting teeth

If caught early, gum disease can often be reversed with deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) and good oral hygiene. In more advanced cases, we offer surgical treatment to stop progression and restore lost tissue.

Gingival Grafting (Gum Grafts)

Receding gums can expose the roots of your teeth, leading to sensitivity, increased decay risk, and a less even smile. Gum grafting helps restore lost gum tissue and protect your teeth.

We offer gingival grafting to:

• Cover exposed tooth roots
• Reduce tooth sensitivity
• Improve esthetics and symmetry
• Strengthen gum tissue around teeth or implants

Grafts can be taken from your own tissue or a donor source. Dr. Vassilopoulos will recommend the best approach for your needs.

Sinus Lift Surgery

If you’re preparing for dental implants in the upper jaw but don’t have enough bone height, a sinus lift may be necessary. This procedure gently raises the sinus floor and adds bone graft material to create space for implant placement.

We may recommend a sinus lift if:

• You’re missing upper molars or premolars
• Bone loss has occurred after long-term tooth loss
• You’ve been told you’re not a candidate for implants

Once the area heals and integrates, computer-guided implants can be placed with long-term success in mind.

How Periodontal Health Supports Implant Success

Your gum and bone health are critical to the long-term success of dental implants. In fact, untreated gum disease is one of the leading causes of implant failure.

That’s why we carefully assess each patient’s periodontal status before planning implant surgery. With in-house expertise and surgical coordination, we ensure that your foundation is strong, stable, and ready for long-term restoration.

Why Choose Elevated Dentistry for Periodontal Care?

• On-site care by a board-certified periodontist
• Comprehensive treatment in one location
• Digital imaging for precise diagnosis and planning
• Preventive, surgical, and cosmetic periodontal services
• Coordinated implant planning and placement

Whether you need to treat gum disease or prepare your mouth for implants, we’ll help you regain a healthier smile and greater confidence — starting with your gums.

Serving Walnut Creek & the East Bay

We provide specialized periodontal care for patients throughout:

• Walnut Creek
• Pleasant Hill
• Concord
• Lafayette
• Alamo
• Danville

Located on Lennon Ln, Elevated Dentistry offers advanced periodontal services without referrals or extra travel.