Center for Specialized Dentistry

Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery

When periodontist John V. Louis, D.M.D. decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a dentist, he chose the part of the field he believed promised the most widespread health effects. "Of all the specialties, periodontics was so much more related to the patient's overall health," he explains.

Dr. Louis attended the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, where he earned his Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree (D.M.D.) in 1992. He received his periodontal training there and graduated with a certificate in periodontics and dental implant surgery in 1994. In February 1995 he opened the Center for Specialized Dentistry in Easton, Maryland.

“Making sure you are periodontally healthy gets you one step closer to overall health."

A dentist's office doesn't usually evoke feelings of comfort. But from the moment a patient walks in their door until long after the appointment, Dr. Louis and his staff of four offer thorough care beyond the level expected. Patients are offered a paraffin bath for their hands, a dental chair massager and distractions during the procedure by way of televisions and headphones. "It's about striving for excellence and going beyond the norm, making that patient feel comfortable and special," Dr. Louis says.

As a periodontist, Dr. Louis deals with gum disease and dental implant surgery, or the replacement of lost or deteriorating teeth. The practice's name is intended to represent his range of expertise while highlighting his focus on a specialized area of dentistry.

Above all, Dr. Louis wants to increase public awareness of periodontal disease and its repercussions on health and well-being. "It affects the entire body and the overall health of that particular person," he says. "Periodontal disease is life or death because it’s been linked to so many other diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and cancer."

Periodontal disease in pregnant women can lead to a pre-term, low birth-weight baby, and patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis especially need to be checked for periodontal problems. "There’s definitely a link between inflammation in the mouth and these particular diseases of the body," Dr. Louis says. "If a diabetic has periodontal disease, that inflammation is affecting their physician's ability to control their blood sugar level. Those undergoing hip or knee replacement, open heart surgery, or organ transplantation really need to have a periodontal evaluation. That infection in the mouth will compromise the outcome of that particular surgery."

Along with periodontal disease, the Center for Specialized Dentistry specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of oral cancer, dry mouth, bad breath, receding gums, snoring and sleep apnea, sensitive teeth and TMJ issues. The center performs head and neck CT scanning as well as 3-D computer guided dental implant surgery for highly accurate, minimally invasive implant placement with little discomfort.

The center also offers oral human papillomavirus testing, bacterial analysis and genetic and DNA testing to determine a patient's susceptibility to periodontal disease and oral cancer. All patients are offered oral sedation and nitrous oxide during treatment for their utmost comfort.

Dr. Louis says, “Making sure you are periodontally healthy gets you one step closer to overall health."

Center for Specialized Dentistry
218 Bay Street
Easton, MD 21601
410-820-9599

www.periodontics-implants.com

Pictured from left: Susie Wood, Vicki Berrier, Dr. John V. Louis, Trish Tees and Beverly Flater
Photography: Steve Buchanan