EXPERT
Dr. Kevin B. Calongne, DDS
Periodontist
Dr. Kevin Calongne practices Periodontics in Houston, TX. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Dr. Calongne has expertise in the treatment of oral inflammation and often treats problematic periodontal cases, such as those with severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Some treatments that Dr. Calongne provides are scaling and root planing and root surface debridement.
34 years
Experience
Dr. Kevin B. Calongne, DDS
- Houston, TX
- LSU School of Dentistry
- Accepting new patients
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Why are my gums darkening?
It could be racial pigmentation, smoking, or some type of heavy metal poisoning, among a whole lot of other things. Please see your dentist or periodontist for a definitive diagnosis. READ MORE
It could be racial pigmentation, smoking, or some type of heavy metal poisoning, among a whole lot of other things. Please see your dentist or periodontist for a definitive diagnosis.
Are there early signs and symptoms of periodontal problems?
Early signs of periodontal disease are bad breath and bleeding, sometimes red gums. If you don't have these signs, it doesn't mean that you don't have periodontal disease. Only READ MORE
Early signs of periodontal disease are bad breath and bleeding, sometimes red gums. If you don't have these signs, it doesn't mean that you don't have periodontal disease. Only a dentist or periodontist can be counted on to diagnose the disease. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to stay healthy, not smoke, brush and floss well, use an antibacterial mouthwash, and get regular dental cleanings.
Can gingivitis be prevented?
Effective brushing and flossing, the use of a good mouth wash like Listerine, and regular dental cleanings are the best ways to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.
Why are my dental implants hurting my gums?
Pain around dental implants is abnormal and should be addressed by a periodontist.
I am having a dull pain in my gums while chewing food. Could it be sign of an infection?
It could be an acute gum infection like a periodontal abscess or it may be just an ulcer.
How quickly can smoking cause gum disease?
It would depend on how much he smokes. If he is smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day, I'd say that that could certainly cause problems in less than 5 years.
My gums are becoming white. What is the reason for this?
I see this most often in smokers.
I can see a black spot on my gums. What could it be?
It could be anything from an amalgam tattoo to a melanoma. You should get it checked as soon as possible.
Concern for gum graft recovery
It is a concern, but I would wait a couple of months to evaluate the success of the graft. It's really not a good time to add sutures or do anything else but just let it heal.
I keep getting ulcers in my gums. Is it the food or something else?
It could be a food allergy or something more serious like desquamative gingivitis, which is an autoimmune condition.
What is the course of treatment for bleeding and swelling gums?
You should see a periodontist for a proper diagnosis. There are many kinds of gum disease.
Can gum bleeding in a diabetic patient get serious?
It is serious in that you may be experiencing bone loss, and the bleeding gums may be a sign that your diabetes is not well controlled. You should see a periodontist for an evaluation. READ MORE
It is serious in that you may be experiencing bone loss, and the bleeding gums may be a sign that your diabetes is not well controlled. You should see a periodontist for an evaluation.
My stitches done for gum grafting have become loose. What can I do?
Sutures don’t last 6-months.
Gum recession
Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common ones are thin gum tissue, tooth grinding, and traumatic tooth brushing.
Dentures have caused gum injury. What can I do?
Only your dentist can determine what the problem is. In all likelihood, the denture is not fitting correctly, and movement is rubbing sores into your gums.
Gum disease and heart disease
The main link is that C-reactive protein is elevated in patients with cardiovascular disease and in patients with severe periodontitis. No direct link has been proven yet, but READ MORE
The main link is that C-reactive protein is elevated in patients with cardiovascular disease and in patients with severe periodontitis. No direct link has been proven yet, but both diseases involve inflammation, and we know that severe periodontitis causes bacteria to enter the blood stream on a regular basis during brushing, flossing, and chewing. These bacteria cause an inflammatory response that can cause narrowing of blood vessels, which, in theory could cause a heart attack or stroke. No, dental plaque and plaques in arteries are not the same. Dental plaque is almost 100% bacteria. Plaques in arteries generally form inside of the walls of the vessel, and consist primarily of collagen and cholesterol.
When can I return to work after gum graft surgery?
That is something that you need to ask the periodontist who is performing your procedures. It is dependent on the type of graft, how many areas of the mouth he or she will be working READ MORE
That is something that you need to ask the periodontist who is performing your procedures. It is dependent on the type of graft, how many areas of the mouth he or she will be working in, and your own history of healing following surgery.
What is a dry socket?
Dry socket is a condition where a proper clot and healing sequence fails to form following a tooth extraction. This leaves living bone exposed to the oral environment and results READ MORE
Dry socket is a condition where a proper clot and healing sequence fails to form following a tooth extraction. This leaves living bone exposed to the oral environment and results in moderate to severe throbbing pain. It's treated by curetting the socket to initiate bleeding, so that a new clot can form. Sometimes the socket is also packed with a dressing to prevent infection and obtund pain.
