Periodontal Disease and Treatment

By maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular oral examinations and cleanings, people can can keet their natural teeth for life. However, it’s more than just brushing your teeth – it’s also ensuring the health around the teeth by providing attention to the gums and supporting bones.

There are times when bacterial infection threates the health of the oral ecosystem, and gum disease must be addressed with periodontl therapy. Periodonal therapy has any different forms, but the objective is to restore diseased tissue so that it is healthy and to keep it from spreading to the bones that support our teeth.

Different Types of Periodontal Therapies

Many therpies can b used to help restore diseased tissue, ranging from non-surgical techniques (such as scalings – a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tarter under the gums), to a surgical technique that can repair lost gum and bone.

Scaling and Root Planing

To combat gum disease, scaling and root planing are deep cleaning techniques where plaque and tarter are removed from under the gum using hand scalers and/or ultrasonic instruments.

Periodontal Laser Treatment

The two main gum diseases treated with lasers are gingivitis and periodontitist. Gingivitis (reversible) is inflamation and bleeing of the gums, reulting from the buildup of plaque. Gingivitis can spread through bacterial infection to become periodontitis (non-reversible), causing a loss of bone around theteeth. Using lasers, the diseased gum tissue is removed and the patient experiences less discomfort and shrinkage than  with other surgical procedures.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting, or gingival grafting, is a form of periodontal surgery. Tn areas wherethe gum tissue has been lost or receded, healthy gum tissue from one area of the mouth is move and grafted to where it is needed. A gingival graft, can reduce further recession and bone loss.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is done when a tooth need to be fixed. Somestimes not enough of the tooth sticks out above the gum to support a filling or a crown, so gum and/or bone tissue is circumferentially removed to increase the height of the tooth.

How to be PROACTIVE when it comes to Oral Health and Periodontal Health

Be PROACTIVE when it comes to periodontal health. Plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, so remove it every day by brushing and flossing. Be sure to have regular dental exams and professional cleanings, stay away from tobacco, and eat a diet low in sugar.