Periodontal Treatment

Gum disease, also known as Periodontitis, is a common infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth/teeth. The name Periodontitis means “inflammation around the tooth.” Without treatment, the alveolar bone around the tooth is slowly and progressively lost. Bacteria stick to the surface of the tooth and in the pockets surrounding the tooth and they multiply. As the immune system reacts and toxins are released, inflammation occurs.

Periodontitis is not only a concern for dental health but it may also contribute to heart disease, diabetes, premature birth, low birth rate and other chronic health conditions. Left untreated, Periodontitis will eventually result in loss of teeth.

Plaque is the most common cause of periodontal disease. Plaque is a sticky, colorless bacterium that develops over the surface of teeth. If plaque it not removed, it can harden to form tartar, or calculus. Even with the best home care, preventative dental visits are extremely important for preventing gum disease and detecting problems in early stages.

Periodontitis is known as a “silent disease” because most patients don’t experience symptoms until the condition has progressed. Some of the common signs of gum disease include, but are not limited to the following:

• Red, swollen or sore gums

• Bleeding gums

• Receding gums

• Loose teeth

• Sensitive teeth

• Persistent mouth sores

• Persistent bad breath

In many cases, gum disease can be prevented through consistent home care, routine dental cleanings, and biannual visits to the dentist office. If you already have Periodontitis, treatment includes professionally cleaning the pockets around the teeth to prevent damage to the surrounding bone. This is called periodontal scaling and root planning and it is the standard treatment for periodontal disease. Scaling is a deep cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus from below the gum line. Root planning includes smoothing the root of the tooth to remove bacterial toxins. Periodontal scaling and root planning is usually completed in two visits.

Most patients do not require any further active treatment following scaling and root planning; however, most patients will require a solid oral hygiene plan for at home and ongoing maintenance therapy at the dentist office. Additionally, sometimes a prescription-strength antimicrobial mouthwash is recommended to help reduce bacteria in those hard-to-reach areas.

For more advanced cases of Periodontitis where good oral hygiene and non-surgical treatments are ineffective, a surgical method of treatment may be recommended. There are several different periodontal surgeries available depending on your needs:

• Soft tissue graft

  • When excessive gum recession is present, soft tissue graft surgery can repair the exposed tooth root(s) and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss. During surgery, the dentist will take gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root(s). This will even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.

• Regenerative procedures (aka Guided Tissue Regeneration)

  • A regenerative procedure may be recommended when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed from Periodontitis. Procedures that regenerate lost bone and tissue supporting your teeth can reverse some of the damage cause by periodontal disease. During the procedure, the gum tissue is folded back and the disease-causing bacteria are removed. Membranes, bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. By eliminating the existing bacteria, pocket depth is reduced and damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease can be repaired.

• Pocket reduction or Flap surgery

  • This procedure is recommended when the pocket depth is too deep to be sufficiently cleaned. During the pocket depth reduction procedure, the gum tissue is folded back and the disease-causing bacteria are removed before securing the gum flap back into place in a position that reduces pocket depth. Reducing pocket depth and eliminating the bacteria are important for preventing damage caused by the progression of Periodontitis.

• Dental crown lengthening

  • When teeth appear “short” or your smile is “gummy”, too much gum tissue is covering them. This can be resolved with a dental crown lengthening procedure. During the procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth or teeth. If you have a decayed tooth or a tooth that is broken below the gum line or had insufficient tooth structure for a restoration (such as a crown or bridge), crown lengthening adjust the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth or teeth for restorations.

• Laser therapy

  • This is a newer therapy less commonly used. Laser therapy is used in conjunction with other traditional therapies. A laser is used to remove inflamed gum tissue from around the tooth’s root. Once the inflamed tissue is removed with the laser, tartar and plaque is removed from below and around your gum line. Next, a different tool is used to smooth out any rough spots that may be present above and below the gum line. Removing the rough spots lessens the chance that your teeth and gums will attract more bacteria and cause future infections.

• Dental Implants

  • Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. You can read more about dental implants here.

We perform many periodontal treatments in our Pasadena, MD office, focusing on the prevention and treatment of gum disease. The type of treatment you receive will depend on the stage and severity of gum disease, as well as your overall dental health. After a thorough examination, Dr. Gary S Barker will recommend the most appropriate solution for you. Call our office today at 410-647-6453 to get started with a comprehensive examination.