Periodontitis, better known as gum disease, is a relatively common dental problem. It can begin at any age, and can lead to swollen and bleeding gums, receding gums and tooth loss if it is left untreated. There is however an umbrella term known as periodontal therapy which offers an array of treatments for this particular problem. At Dasilva Family Dentistry, this is something that is offered, to halt the deterioration of the gums and teeth caused by periodontitis. The benefits are: slower progression of the disease, healthier gums and prevention against tooth loss.
Whether the disease is aggressive or chronic, generalized or localized, severe or beginning, all periodontal treatment begins with the same box: the initial therapy. Even though each patient is different, and has different requirements and imperatives, the same therapeutic protocol must always be observed. There are certain treatments that can assist in the management of periodontitis:
Deep Cleaning During a professional dental cleaning, the dentist or dental hygienist thoroughly cleans all surfaces of the teeth. Cleaning and polishing the surfaces of the roots colonized by bacteria below the gum line is particularly important in the treatment of periodontitis. This first treatment is non-surgical. The dentist also removes all the obstacles that can hinder optimal oral hygiene at home. It is particularly tartar deposits above the gums, and it removes or improves crown boundaries or protruding edges of fillings (caries care) that hold dental plaque. A complete treatment can rarely be done in one session. For patients with advanced periodontitis, it is common for several appointments to be scheduled.
Plaque and tartar are removed by your dentist who performs scaling, root planing, polishing and subgingival irrigation using antiseptics. Your dentist will use both an ultrasonic scaler, periodontal curettes and an air polisher to allow debridement of periodontal pockets.
Periodontal Surgery If residual periodontal pockets of 6 mm or more are still detected after the first non-surgical periodontal treatment, tartar deposits often still present at this location can be better removed with a surgical approach. In addition, the contours of the gum tissue can be corrected and in some cases one can even attempt to reconstruct the lost tissue using what are called biomaterials (tissue regeneration). The most complex periodontal treatments often take more than a year and the maintenance is lifelong.
Your dentist may be able to assist you in finding certain medicines that could assist, such as medicated mouthwashes, antibiotic gels as well as advising on the best toothpastes to use. Gum disease is not reversible but it can be maintained for long periods if impeccable hygiene is maintained and you take regular visits to your dentist. If you have any type of gum disease, then periodontal therapy will greatly assist and can contribute to healthier gums and stave off the possibility of tooth loss in the future. The important factor is to start sooner rather than later.
If you are looking for more information on how Dasilva Family Dentistry can assist with your periodontal issues, please call for more information.
