Welcome to Northwest Periodontics

Patient Information

First Visit | Scheduling | Patient Registration
Surgical Instructions

Welcome to our practice website. We congratulate you on taking the first step toward better periodontal health. Please utilize this website as a resource. It will help you better understand your course of treatment and answer any questions related to periodontal therapy.

Dr. Halpern is a specialist in periodontics and also provides dental implant services. Our practice specializes in treatment of gum disease, cosmetic procedures to aesthetically enhance your smile, and dental implants that can replace single or multiple missing teeth. We also diagnose and treat oral pathology.

Dr. Halpern believes that your right to choose a dentist is an important freedom. We work closely with your dentist, but a referral by a dentist is not required to visit our office. We also welcome referrals from patients and friends of the practice.

Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. We are here to listen to your questions and concerns and to help provide solutions leading to your better health. Please don't hesitate to e-mail us if you have any questions regarding your care, or call us at 770-928-6655. Our fax number is 770-928-6656.

First Visit

Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by providing the following information:

Your referral slip and x-rays from your referring dentist.
A list of medications you are currently taking (please note that you can download your patient registration and medical history form on our website below.)
If you have dental insurance, please bring any forms or insurance cards with you to the appointment.

Please Note: All patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation appointment.

Please notify the office if you have a medical condition or concern prior to surgery (e.g. artificial heart valves or joints, heart murmurs requiring pre-medication, severe diabetes, or hypertension).

We will complete an in-depth medical and dental health history and a thorough examination to measure for bone loss, loose teeth, bite, oral cancer screening, TMJ, and other signs of periodontal disease.

Do I Need X-Rays?

We will need current periodontal x-rays in order to see disease not otherwise visible. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request that they be forwarded to us.

Scheduling

Northwest Periodontics is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.

We try to stay on schedule to minimize waiting at the time of your appointment. Referral of emergency patients can cause delays to the schedule, and your understanding and patience are very much appreciated.

Patient Registration

We have made our new patient registration form available to you as an Adobe Acrobat file. For your convenience, we recommend printing and completing this form at home.

Please remember to bring your completed form with you for your first appointment. If you have any problem getting the file to print
properly, please call our office and we will gladly send or fax it to you.

Download New Patient Registration Form

Surgical Instructions

Pre-Surgical | Periodontal Post-Surgery

Pre-Surgical Instructions

The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any last minute questions. We can be reached at 770-928-6655 during regular business hours.

Please take all regular daily medications as normal unless instructed otherwise.

Take three 200mgs of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), not Acetaminophen (Tylenol) before your appointment.

Eat a nutritious meal before your appointment.

Plan to rest the remainder of the day following your surgery. Soft cold foods for the first 24 hours are recommended as well as plenty of
cold liquids. No carbonated beverages, nothing through a straw and no smoking for 24 hours after surgery.

**You may bring your I-pod/MP3 player for your added comfort during surgery**

Periodontal Surgery Post-Operative Instructions

FIRST AND FOLLOWING DAY OF SURGERY:

No hot beverages or soups. Consume plenty of cold liquids and soft cold foods.
No strenuous exercise or activity.
No smoking for a MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS following surgery.
No carbonated beverages.
No drinking through a straw, it may increase bleeding.
No crunchy, hard foods for two weeks. (Examples; nachos, tacos, pretzels, potato chips, nuts, pizza crust, popcorn)

BLEEDING: If bleeding increases, apply gentle pressure to the area with cold wet gauze or a cold wet tea bag. Keep your head elevated for the first 24-36 hours after surgery. If bleeding persists, call the office at 770-928-6655. If after hours, call Dr. Halpern on his cell phone at 404-680-6177.

SWELLING: Some patients tend to swell and bruise more easily than others. To reduce the possibility of swelling and bruising apply an ice pack to the outside of the surgery area. Fifteen minutes on, fifteen minutes off. If after 24 hours there is still significant swelling, switch to warm moist heat and begin warm mild salt water rinses. If discomfort or swelling persists call the office. If after hours call Dr. Halpern on his cell phone at 404-680-6177.

BRUSHING AND FLOSSING: Use the soft toothbrush you were given in your
postoperative kit for brushing your teeth. Brush the biting surface of the teeth in the surgical area until you are able to comfortably brush and floss. You may brush and floss the other areas of your mouth as you would normally.

PACKING: Packing may be placed to act as a bandage in the surgical areas. It is fine if this falls off as long as you are comfortable.

MEDICATIONS: If you are not taking a prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, take TWO 200mg. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, store brand), every four hours as needed for discomfort. Take your prescriptions as directed. Do not take medication on an empty stomach; do not consume alcohol while taking pain medication. DO NOT WAIT FOR DISCOMFORT BEFORE TAKING PAIN MEDICATION; IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT DISCOMFORT THAN TO STOP IT AFTER IT HAS BEGUN. Please use Peridex/Periogard rinse, if they are prescribed, until you are directed to discontinue its use. PLEASE FINISH
ALL PRESCRIBED ANTIBIOTICS.

These instructions apply to the surgical procedure just completed. They are designed to help you minimize post-surgical discomfort and inform you of any situation that may require special attention.

Hot beverages and hot foods should be avoided for at least 24 hours after surgery. Warm foods are okay.

After periodontal flap surgery, the teeth may appear longer, or some root surface may show. This is due to the reduction of the pocket.
Care will be taken to achieve as cosmetic a result as practical.

Sensitivity of the teeth or exposed roots may occur for a period of time (several days to months) after surgery. Efforts will be made to
minimize this condition.

Mobility or looseness of some teeth may occur immediately after surgery. After healing is complete it is anticipated that these teeth will return to their pre-surgical mobility.

These instructions have been given to you in order for you to better anticipate and adjust to any post-operative changes in your periodontal status. Every effort will be made to make your periodontal therapy and post-operative period as comfortable as possible.