Dr. Montes completed a residency in periodontics and treats gum disease and receding gums. She explains the options before any treatment.
Periodontics in Santa Maria
Gum treatment, laser or traditional, with both explained
Dr. Rita Montes treats gum disease and receding gums. At your first visit she measures, shows you what she finds and explains each way to treat it, with a laser and without.
Two ways to treat the same gums
Laser or traditional gum surgery
Both are used to treat gum disease and to reshape gum tissue. Neither is better for every patient. Dr. Montes tells you which she would choose for your gums and why, and the choice is yours.
| What we compare | With a laser | Traditional surgery |
|---|---|---|
| How the tissue is treated | With a laserA soft-tissue dental laser removes or reshapes gum tissue and cleans the pocket around the tooth. | Traditional surgeryA scalpel opens the gum so the root and the bone can be seen and cleaned directly. Stitches close it. |
| When it falls short | With a laserWhen the bone has to be rebuilt or reshaped, a laser alone is not enough. | Traditional surgeryWhen only a little gum needs reshaping, it can be more than the problem calls for. |
| Healing | With a laserSome patients are sore for a day or two, some for longer. The gum still needs time to heal. | Traditional surgerySoreness, swelling and soft food for several days are usual. We give you written after-care. |
| What studies show | With a laserResults of lasers in gum treatment are mixed, and none shows one approach is better for everyone. | Traditional surgeryIt has been done far longer. Studies don't show it is better for everyone either. |
| FDA status | With a laserDental lasers are cleared for particular soft-tissue uses. Ask which uses ours is cleared for. | Traditional surgery |
| The fee | With a laserYour written estimate names the procedure, the tool and the fee before you decide. | Traditional surgeryYour written estimate names the procedure and the fee before you decide. |
Your first visit
We measure before we treat
An exam, not a procedure. You leave with a written plan and an estimate.
- 01
Step 1: We talk first
What's bothering you, what your dentist has noticed and what you want from treatment.
- 02
Step 2: We measure
Dr. Montes measures the space between each tooth and its gum in six places, and checks for bleeding and loose teeth.
- 03
Step 3: We look closer
X-rays and photos when she needs them. If your dentist has recent X-rays, we can ask for those instead.
- 04
Step 4: You get a written plan
What she found, each way to treat it, what happens if you wait, and the fee for each stage.
The laser, said plainly
What we use, and what we don't claim for it
Dr. Montes uses a soft-tissue dental laser for some gum work and traditional instruments for the rest. The make of the laser, what the FDA has cleared it for and her training with it are listed on request, so you can check them.
A laser is one tool, not a different treatment. Traditional surgery stays an option at every visit.
The device and what it's cleared for, in writing on request
Traditional surgery offered at every visit
The tool is named in your written estimate
What we treat
Four kinds of gum care
Each page walks through the steps, the comfort measures, the risks and how it's billed.
The people
A small office, the same three faces
Dr. Montes treats every patient herself, with Ivette beside her and Humberto at the front desk.
Ivette Olivares
Dental hygienist, RDH
- Registered dental hygienist license (RDH) · CA License no. 000000
Ivette does the cleanings and the follow-up visits, and shows you how to care for your gums at home.
Humberto Lagunas
Patient coordinator
Humberto schedules visits, checks your benefits and writes your estimate. He speaks Spanish and English.
Training and license
What Dr. Montes has completed
The owner replaces the sample number with the real one and names the program.
Licenses
Dentist license (DDS)
CA License no. 000000 · Dental Board of California
This license allows Dr. Montes to practice dentistry in California. Her specialty training is listed separately. The owner enters the real number.
Specialty training
Residency in periodontics
A specialty program of at least two years in periodontics. The owner names the program and the body that accredits it.
American Board of Periodontology
The owner states whether Dr. Montes is certified by the American Board of Periodontology, and the year.
For dentists
Sending a patient our way?
Refer through our secure form. We send your patient's findings and plan back to you, with the patient's permission.
Questions before you come
Is the laser better than traditional surgery?
Studies don't show that either is better for every patient. Dr. Montes explains which she would choose for your gums and why, and the choice is yours.
Do I need a referral?
No. Many patients come because their dentist or hygienist suggested a gum check. Some plans ask for a referral, so check with yours.
Will it hurt?
We numb the area before gum treatment and check that it's numb before we begin. You'll feel pressure and movement. Raise a hand and we stop. How sore you are afterward varies, and Dr. Montes tells you what to expect.
Do you take my insurance?
We file claims for PPO dental plans. How fees work lists what we do for each kind of plan.
Ask for a visit
Send a request and Humberto will call, text or email you back with a time. Please leave out health details; for anything urgent, call us.
Phone(805) 555-0100
Hours
- Monday – ThursdayToday
- 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- FridayToday
- 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Saturday and SundayToday
- Closed