Periodontal simply means "the tissue around the teeth". Periodontists specialize in the treatment and surgery of this area, which is often characterized by gum disease. Plaque is the most common element causing gum disease.
Unfortunately, periodontal-related problems are often discovered after they have persisted for an extended period of time. Proper oral hygiene, daily dental care and regular dental checkups will minimize the risk of gum disease. Gum disease ranges from mild (gingivitis) to moderate (periodintitis) to the severe (periodontitis). Treatments are available for every case of gum disease.
Common problems associated with gum disease:
- "Long" teeth (receding gum lines expose the root portions of your teeth)
- Discolored or deteriorating tooth structure
- Infected gum line (discoloration or inflammation of the gum tissue)
- Tooth loss or tooth movement
The effects of gum disease can be damaging to your dental health. However, through proper preventive care and oral hygiene, you can avoid problems associated with gum disease.
Non-surgical Services
Even when periodontal disease is in a fairly advanced stage, it is possible to improve or even reverse the condition with non-surgical procedures. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, one of these approaches may be suggested by your doctor.
Scaling
This process can be done above or below the gum line and involves the scraping and removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth. Scaling done at regular teeth cleanings usually involves the crown of the tooth. However, in more extreme circumstances, it is necessary to go further below the gum line to thoroughly remove disease-causing bacteria and its by-products on the root surface. In very advanced cases, flap surgery or gingivectomy may be necessary to allow the doctor free access to the infected tooth root.
Planing
After the thorough cleaning of the tooth surface has been completed above and below the gum line, the root of the tooth undergoes a process called planing. This is a process of smoothing the root of the tooth so that any remaining tartar is removed. This also serves two other purposes: it clears away any rough areas that bacteria below the gum line thrive in, and it makes it much easier for the gingival (gum) tissue to re-attach itself to the tooth, effectively reducing the size of the pockets that the plaque and bacteria hide in. This re-growth of tissue is key in stopping a recurrence of gum disease and happens very quickly once the calculus has been removed.
With either of these procedures, your dentist may prescribe you either local or systemic antibiotics and a specially indicated mouth rinse.
Surgical Services
If you’re not happy with the appearance of your smile, your dentist can suggest a number of options to correct the aesthetics of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic surgery has become more popular than ever before, and now periodontal cosmetic surgery has also jumped on this upward trend.
Are you unhappy with your smile? Many procedures now exist that can give you the smile you’ve always dreamed about. For patients with teeth that look too short or have the "gummy smile," crown lengthening might be your solution. Excess gum tissue is removed, exposing more of the tooth. The gum line is then evenly sculpted to develop your new, broad smile.
Another problem patients want to repair is gum recession, which causes the tooth root to be exposed. Periodontal disease is one cause for receding gums, which make your teeth look long. Left untreated, your exposed roots are prone to bacteria and at risk for developing cavities. Root coverage procedures, including soft tissue grafts, are performed to cover the exposed tooth roots to protect them from decay and further recession.
Other popular cosmetic procedures include implants to restore missing teeth and ridge augmentation to repair indentations in the jawbone and gums.
Ask your dentist today about the different cosmetic procedures that we can offer you.
Watch video to learn more about periodontal services.
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