General Info

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Bacteria found in plaque produce toxins or poisons, which irritate the gums. They may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. Dr. Felthousen received his postgraduate training in the specialty of periodontics at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1990. While there, he also completed and received his Masters of Science degree with emphasis on bone regeneration. He received the award for most outstanding postdoctoral research from the American College of Dentists for his work in this field. This training was centered upon the use of regenerative grafting procedures, and the use of surgical dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dr. Felthousen became a Board Certified Diplomate with the American Board of Periodontology in 1994. Since the, he has continued to modify and further improve the clinical aspects of surgical treatment. Courses in microsurgery culminated in equipping the office with a surgical microscope in 2000. The introduction of computer assisted implant placement techniques has been in place since 2005. Dr. Felthousen was one of the first one hundred doctors in the world to be certified in these procedures.