A periodontist offers different forms of treatment for periodontal disease, also called gum disease. The condition, which affects millions of adults in the United States, is the leading cause of tooth loss. However, prompt treatment can stop the disease in its tracks and even reverse the damages. This article covers treatment options offered by a periodontist for gum disease.
The periodontist can treat this gum condition with any of the following options.
The first line of treatment for patients with periodontal disease is the conservative technique called scaling and root planing. The treatment involves scraping and cleaning plaque and tartar off the teeth and root surfaces using specialized dental tools. Afterward, they will smooth any roughness around the root surfaces to prevent easy bacteria accumulation. The treatment can take more than one dental appointment.
The dentist will administer a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, the gums will begin to heal and reattach to the teeth's surfaces. After a few weeks, patients will visit the dental office so the dental professional can assess healing progress and determine if additional intervention is required.
In a case of severe periodontitis, treatment typically involves cleaning the teeth and correcting loose teeth. It may be hard to clean the deep pockets of the gums. The periodontist may then recommend a periodontal pocket reduction or flap surgery. The dental professional will fold back the gum tissue to remove infectious bacteria and smoothen parts of the damaged bone. This will enable the gum tissue to reattach to healthy bone.
If the tooth roots are exposed because of gum recession (caused by gum disease), the periodontist may recommend gum grafts to cover them. The dentist will transfer tissue from the palate or another area to cover the tooth roots. This procedure reduces sensitivity and shields the roots from infection. It also prevents further gum deterioration and bone loss.
If the bone supporting the teeth has been damaged by gum disease, the dental professional will recommend tissue regeneration to stimulate the regrowth of bone and gum tissues. It is completed with flap surgery and entails placing a tiny mesh-like fabric between the gum tissue and the bone. This guides the growth of bone and gum tissues after inserting natural or synthetic bone in areas of bone loss. Tissue-stimulating proteins are also used to ensure successful regrowth.
The dentist will usually perform a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth surfaces. This is often effective for treating early gum disease, called gingivitis. Tartar is a hardened plaque that accumulates on the teeth and causes gum inflammation. The cleaning is usually done during a biannual dental checkup, but the dentist might recommend more regular cleaning appointments for patients who show signs of gum disease.
Seeking prompt treatment from the periodontist is important to prevent complications caused by periodontal disease. It also ensures that you can be treated with minimally invasive techniques.
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