Our Periodontist Can Preserve Your Gum Health

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a process that starts out as gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums. If this condition progresses, it becomes periodontitis, and the gums separate from the teeth, allowing bacteria to invade. Damaging bone loss can occur in this stage, and if not treated, the only cure is extraction.

Symptoms of periodontal disease

• Swollen gums
• Bright red or purplish gums
• Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
• New spaces developing between your teeth
• Loose teeth

Periodontal (gum disease) treatment

• Periodontal Therapy
• Laser Therapy (Gingivectomy)
• Scaling & Root Planing
• Osseous Surgery

Periodontal Therapy

The root surfaces of the teeth are cleansed of all deposits allowing inflammation to decrease and arrest bone destruction. A local anesthetic may be used.

Laser Therapy (Gingivectomy)

A gingivectomy refers to the surgical removal of gum tissue or gingiva. Excess gum tissue may occur as a side effect of some medications. A gingivectomy is mostly used to treat conditions such as gingivitis. You can also use it to remove excess gum tissue to make a smile more attractive.

This procedure or esthetic crown lengthening may be used to help the orthodontist see the teeth. Removing extra thick gum tissue also makes it for the orthodontist to move teeth. Thick tissue can act like a spring and make it more difficult to move teeth with braces.

The VersaWave Laser may be used with gingivectomy/ gingivoplasty procedures.

Scaling & Root Planing

The treatment of mild periodontal disease and gingivitis is usually a thorough special “deep,” “non-surgical,” or “periodontal” cleaning that may include scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar (calculus) deposits beneath the gum line. This smoothes the root surface allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth root reducing the pocket. Treatment usually involves one or more visits. If needed, sedation can be used to keep you comfortable and relaxed.

Osseous (Pocket Reduction) Surgery

Osseous or pocket reduction surgery is a method to get rid of bacteria that have been living in your pockets. The surgeon will cut your gums and remove the bacteria. He also repairs any broken bones.

Osseous surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures to treat periodontal disease. Incisions are made around the teeth, and the gum tissue is pulled back slightly. This provides access to remove all plaque and calculus (tartar) thoroughly. Irregularities of the bone caused by the disease are smoothed over, and the tissue is placed closer to the bone to reduce the pockets. Sutures are used to complete the procedure. A protective dressing often is placed around the necks of the teeth to cover the surgical area and to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship.