Innovative and Expanded Dental CarePhoto/Text by Donna Malloy
All in a Day’s Work, Blayne J. Gumm DDS, ABGD, MAGD, reviews a patient’s chart with Administrator Sandra Mitchell. Dr. Gumm began his dental practice in Belleair Bluffs in 1977 but, in a sense, has never left the university. His desire to learn all aspects of his profession led him to graduate work that he continues to this day, and teaching. He continues to be excited by new developments and techniques that offer real benefits to his patients. There have been many changes in dentistry over the last several years. A myriad of cosmetic procedures are available to enhance your smile. Tooth decay is now addressed not just by fillings, but also by biological infectious control measures. Conditions such as periodontal disease have been shown to interact with, and exacerbate systemic medical conditions. And an exciting new development is the use of tissue engineering in soft tissue preservation and bone grafting. One form of tissue engineering, known as PRP, uses the patient’s own concentrated platelets, rich in growth factors, to initiate repair in surgical sites. “It jump starts the healing process” states Dr. Gumm. Clinical data has shown that growth and wound healing factors may also enhance your body’s normal healing process. And, although this procedure is not widely available, Dr. Gumm has seen impressive results in his practice, and believes it will become a standard for dental surgical procedures. Dr. Gumm has also been actively involved in teaching and the organizational side of academics for some time. He is currently vice-president, president-elect, of the American Board of General Dentistry. This organization develops and administers the examination for post-graduate dental residents to become Board Certified. It is a demanding credential that only 800 dentists nationally have achieved, and signifies exceptional knowledge and expertise in all phases of dentistry. Dr. Gumm provides complete dental care including, cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, along with restorative dentistry, assisted by his caring staff. He believes that attention to detail and compassion for his patients is the key to successful treatment and results. Dr. Gumm’s practice is conveniently located at 490 N. Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs, Florida 33770. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 727-584-5693.
|