Periodontics
Periodontics
Periodontics focuses on the inflammatory disease that destroys the gums and other supporting structures around the teeth. A periodontist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease as well as the placement of dental implants.
Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted
The first indication you could be suffering from periodontal disease is red, swollen gums. As it progresses it will result in gingival recession, bone loss, bad breath, and eventual tooth loss.
Periodontal disease affects millions of people. The cause is the bacteria in plaque that can inflame the gums. Plaque should be removed from your teeth and gums on a regular basis. Make sure you not only brush your teeth and floss twice a day, but also get routine cleanings at lease every 6 months.
If gum disease is caught early, scaling and root planing can be done to help reduce the symptoms and start creating healthier gums. This can also help repair the damaged bone caused by the gum disease. By flossing and brushing, you can help reverse and eliminate gum disease problems. Schedule a cleaning to help remove plaque buildup today.
Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can affect your ability to eat and speak. It can even affect your confidence. Dental implants provide a strong, stable replacement for missing teeth and are now the treatment of choice. A dental implant is made of titanium. It’s placed in the jawbone and integrates with the bone over the course of about three months, after which time it’s ready to be restored.
Dental implants can be used for a variety of purposes. They can hold abutments with crowns that appear and function like natural teeth. They can also support traditional dentures, both partial and full, eliminating discomfort and providing a firm anchor with no need for adhesives.
Other options are available, but choosing an implant comes with several distinct advantages. For example, with an implant there’s no need to prep or shave down the adjacent teeth as there would be with a fixed bridge. An implant also preserves the jawbone and maintains the facial contours as compared to the typical shrinking of the bone that occurs once a tooth has been extracted.
The final restoration of an implant will feel and function as if it were a natural tooth, allowing for easy maintenance.
Digital Imaging
Digital x-rays and Cone Beam CT Scans are used to give the most accurate picture of what is occurring with your dental health. This allows the periodontist to have a 3D image of your teeth and bone in order to accurately assess, diagnose, and plan the treatment for a patient’s specific needs.
Digital imaging is interactive and so helps a patient better understand their condition and how treatments such as implants are performed. It’s a great tool for planning procedures to ensure the best results.
Gum Disease Treatment
The goal of periodontal treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth to remove all of the plaque and tarter. This is done by performing a procedure called scaling and root planing. Removing the plaque and calculus will prevent further damage to the surrounding bone. Patients are then given oral care instructions to maintain the cleanliness of the teeth and gum tissue. 3 months later the patient is brought in for a periodontal maintenance cleaning and to re-evaluate the need for further treatment, which may include:
Osseous surgery: reshaping the alveolar bone removing deformities and pockets creating a smooth boney architecture for long term success.
Gingivectomy: Removal of excess inflamed gum tissue therefore allowing the patient easier access for home care.
You have the best chance for successful treatment when you also adopt a daily routine of good oral care, manage health conditions that may impact dental health and stop tobacco use.
Connective Tissue Graft
This is the most common method used to treat root exposure. Root exposure can occur several different ways including : periodontal disease, grinding or clenching your teeth, and over zealous brushing. Root exposure can lead to further bone loss, cavities, temperature hypersensitivity, and tooth abrasion.
During the procedure, a flap of skin is harvested at the roof of your mouth (palate). This tissue is made of dense collagen tissue and is attached to the exposed root creating a thick layer of protection while improving aesthetics.
Questions about Periodontal (Gum) Disease:
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What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that effects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in the plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed. Gingivitis is the mildest form of the disease. In this stage, the gums redden, swell, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort.
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What causes gum disease?
As mentioned, plaque is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. If plaque isn’t removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus (also known as tartar). Toxins produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets that fill with even more toxins and bacteria. Eventually, severe infection may develop with pain and swelling. The tooth may loosen and later require removal.
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Are some people at higher risk?
There are other factors, too. Smokers and tobacco users are at higher risk of developing gum disease. Changing hormone levels in pubescent teenagers and women who are pregnant also can increase the risk of gum disease. Stress, clenching or grinding your teeth, an unhealthy diet, and diabetes can increase your chances of developing gum disease as well. And, in some cases, it’s in your genetics! Nearly 30 percent of the human population is genetically predisposed to gum disease.
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How is it treated?
In the early stages of gum disease, most treatment involves a special cleaning called a scaling and root planing, which removes plaque and tartar around the tooth and smooths the root surfaces. Antibiotics or antimicrobials may be used to supplement the effects of scaling and root planing. In most cases of early gum disease, scaling and root planing and proper daily cleaning will help. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums — sometimes with the assistance of a laser — to remove the hardened plaque build-up and then recontouring the damaged bone. The procedure may be performed by your general dentist or by a specialist, like a periodontist.
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How can I maintain treatment at home?
Sticking to a maintenance program is crucial for patients who want to sustain the results of periodontal therapy. You should visit the dentist every three to four months (or more frequently, depending on the patient) for spot scaling and root planing and overall exam. Between visits, brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
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How can I prevent gum disease?
Removing plaque through daily brushing and flossing and professional cleaning is the best way to minimize your risk. You should try to reduce the activities mentioned above (smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, grinding your teeth, and so forth). Talk to your dentist and he or she can design a personized program for home oral care to meet your needs.
