Additional Location:

• Crystal River Office
• 6175 W. Corporate Oaks Drive, Crystal River, Florida 34429
• Telephone: (352) 795-9000
• Office Hours:  Tuesday and Wednesday- 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Darby & Johnson, P.A. is a friendly periodontal group in Ocala, Florida, dedicated to giving you the finest and most attentive care possible. Periodontal disease is responsible for over 75% of all adult tooth loss in the United States. If you have been referred to our office by your general dentist, it is very likely that your periodontal infection has progressed beyond the mild stage.

On your first visit to our office, we will give you a thorough examination and discuss our findings. Our treatment recommendations tend to be conservative. We want you to be completely informed of your choices before proceeding with care.

Our goal is to work closely with your general dentist to help you maintain your natural teeth for a lifetime.  Delaying treatment can have serious consequences.

What is Periodontal Disease?

The word "periodontal" literally means "around the tooth". Periodontal Disease (also known as "gum disease" or "periodontal infection") is an ongoing bacterial infection in the gums and bone around your teeth. This infection leads to an inflammation under the gums, and if not treated, this inflammation can destroy the bone around your teeth. This results in tooth loss.

More importantly, research has associated periodontal infection to several serious medical problems; including heart disease, diabetes and stroke.  Oral health maintenance is essential. Periodontal health is a key component to a healthy body.

Periodontal disease is an ongoing infection in the pockets around your teeth.   You cannot fight off the infection alone, but with periodontal therapy, we are able to remove debris and bacteria from the site, allowing the gum to heal as your hand had.

75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal disease. When your gums and bone are damaged by periodontal infection, there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears, your teeth first become loose and then can be lost. When your dentist recommends periodontal treatment, it is important to get started right away.

If the periodontal inflammation continues, you can start to lose your teeth one at a time. These lost teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as:

• Bridges
• Dental implants
• Partial dentures
• Full dentures

In most cases the progress of periodontal infection can be stopped with prompt treatment. The gums and bone around your teeth can then be saved from further damage.

Patient Education

We find that patients are more comfortable when they know what to expect on each step of a proposed treatment. As learning is predominantly visual, we offer a three-dimensional animated presentation of all major periodontal and dental implant procedures. This computerized presentation (known as Consult Pro), has become a valuable aid in patient education.

Our goal is that you are completely informed concerning your condition and any treatment that will be performed.

Patient Safety

We adhere to the highest professional standards of cleanliness, sterilization, and radiation control. Our staff regularly attend safety seminars and are quite knowledgeable on the latest techniques.

Sterilization

We know that preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV, herpes, hepatitis and even the cold virus is critical. We use extensive sterilization procedures, going well beyond the guidelines recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control.

We use barrier techniques such as disposable masks and gloves and replace them with every new patient. Each piece of fixed operatory equipment is wiped-down with antibacterial solution prior to every clinical procedure. Sterile water delivery systems are utilized. We use autoclave sterilization for all instruments prior to dental examination and treatment. You can be assured that our staff have been specifically trained on sterilization procedures and their importance.

Pre-medication

Patients with certain medical conditions (e.g. valvular heart conditions and artificial joints) may be asked to pre-medicate with antibiotics prior to treatment. We do this with your safety in mind. Please inform us if you have a condition that might require pre-medication.

Post Treatment Instructions

After treatment, home care and medication instructions will be thoroughly explained. For your convenience, you will also be given printed instructions. Of course, we are always available for questions after treatment.

Patient Comfort

We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible during dental procedures.

In addition, for your convenience, we offer refreshments to our patients.

John F. Darby, Jr., D.D.S.

Dr. Darby is an honors graduate from the University of Florida. He obtained his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Emory University School of Dentistry where he also received the C.V. Mosby Award for Excellence in Operative Dentistry. Dr. Darby completed his specialty of Periodontics residency at the Medical College of Georgia in 1982.

In addition to full time periodontal and dental implant practice, Dr. Darby is a Courtesy Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontology at the University of Florida, College of Dentistry.

Timothy M. Johnson, D.M.D.

Timothy Johnson, D.M.D. received the American Academy of Periodontology’s Annual Student Award for scholarship upon graduation from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1987. Dr. Johnson then completed periodontal specialty training at the University of Alabama, one of the nation’s leading dental research institutions, with a joint appointment to the Veterans Administration Hospital.

Dr. Johnson is one of a handful of periodontists in the country who holds a degree in pharmacy. In addition to full time periodontal and dental implant practice, Dr. Johnson is a Courtesy Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontology at the University of Florida, College of Dentistry.

As periodontists, Drs. Darby and Johnson have received years of additional training in periodontics beyond their general dental degree. They have highly specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, options for cosmetic periodontal procedures and the placement of dental implants.

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