Gum Disease Treatment
When people hear about gum disease, they think of gingivitis, the mild form of the disease. Many people don't take it seriously, not knowing that it can destroy gum and bone tissue and, eventually, lead to the loss of all teeth. Once gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, the damage has been done. Brushing and flossing won't fix it. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help control gum disease and keep your smile healthy
Non-Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease
Professional Dental Cleaning
Although you should brush and floss daily, removing all tartar and stains on your own is impossible. Professional dental cleaning or prophylaxis is a thorough tooth cleaning performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. If you have healthy teeth and gums and good oral hygiene, prophylaxis is enough to prevent gum disease.
This simple method is also recommended if you have gingivitis. All the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth will be cleaned, including between your teeth and your gum line. This cleaning is important because it helps remove hardened plaque from your teeth, which is the leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
Although you should brush and floss daily, removing all tartar and stains on your own is impossible. Professional dental cleaning or prophylaxis is a thorough tooth cleaning performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. If you have healthy teeth and gums and good oral hygiene, prophylaxis is enough to prevent gum disease.
This simple method is also recommended if you have gingivitis. All the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth will be cleaned, including between your teeth and your gum line. This cleaning is important because it helps remove hardened plaque from your teeth, which is the leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
Scaling: Plaque and tartar are scraped from your teeth using a hand-held scraper or ultrasonic device.
Root Planing: Using the same tools, the roots of the teeth are smoothed out.
Smoothing out the roots of your teeth helps control gum disease. Here's how it works: sugar sticks to your teeth when you eat or drink anything sugary, especially if you have any cracks or crevices. The sugar then breaks down into acids, which can help build plaque and tartar. However, if the roots are smooth, there is nowhere for the sugar to stick. This means it washes away easily when you brush and floss and doesn't have a chance to turn into harmful acids.
Oral Antibiotics
Antimicrobial Mouthwash
Enzyme Suppressant
Antibiotic Microsphere
Antiseptic Chip
Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease
Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery
In patients with advanced gum disease, the dentist or periodontist may recommend a surgical procedure called pocket reduction surgery. The goal is to reduce pocket depth, remove tartar deposits, and smooth irregularities on the root surfaces to prevent future accumulation of plaque and tartar. The dentist makes small incisions in your gums, lifts back the gum tissue, cleans the tooth roots, and then places the gum tissue back in its original position. Pocket reduction surgery reduces the depth of the gum pockets around your teeth and makes it easier to keep them clean
Bone Grafts
Bone grafting can help restore the bone structure in the jaw and repair gum disease. There are several types of bone grafts, and the type used will depend on the extent of the damage and the individual patient's needs. A bone graft can help provide sufficient bone material to support dental implants. There are two types of bone grafts: autogenous and allogeneic. Autogenous bone grafts are taken from the patient's body, while allogeneic bone grafts are taken from a donor. Autogenic bone grafts are more commonly used in dental procedures because they are less likely to be rejected by the body.
Gum Grafts
Using soft tissue grafts is a great way to reverse the damage caused by gum disease. It can prevent further erosion of the gums and teeth and may even prevent infections. The process is fairly straightforward. The doctor will numb the area with an anesthetic and remove a flap of skin from the roof of the mouth. This tissue will then be stitched over the gums, covering the exposed root surface. The goals of a gum graft are to protect the exposed tooth root from further damage and improve the smile's aesthetics.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Guided tissue regeneration can be a great way to restore lost bone and gum tissue. This minimally invasive procedure involves placing a special mesh-like membrane between the bone and soft tissue. The membrane blocks the gum tissue from entering the pocket and allows the faster bone and connective tissue growth that support the teeth. It is combined with flap surgery and can also be performed on patients with missing teeth.
Bone Surgery
Osseous surgery involves removing diseased tissue and bone from around the teeth. The surgeon then smooths out the bone to promote proper healing. This also helps reduce pocket depths, improve gums' attachment to the teeth, and reduce inflammation. Bone surgery may also involve grafting bone or tissue to the area.
If you are suffering from bleeding gums, bad breath, tooth pain, or elongated or loose teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Samani. After a thorough assessment, he can determine the severity of your condition and recommend the best course of treatment. Your treatment plan may involve non-surgical and surgical procedures. The key is to act fast. The longer you wait to be treated, the more difficult and expensive your treatment will be.
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