Periodontal Treatment Most symptoms of periodontal disease, which is also known as gum disease, are attributed to poor oral hygiene. Whether simply not brushing or flossing enough or simply not getting routine dental exams, all of these decisions can compound and complicate the oral cavity's natural pathology.When given enough time, bacteria can wreak havoc when not properly cleaned from teeth. It will turn to plaque and then to tartar. While plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, tartar cannot. It has to be removed by a dental professional during a routine cleaning. It is important for the patient to understand the importance of daily maintenance, and cleaning and exams. If you neglect these, you may develop gum disease. Please contact us today at Wildhorse Dental to talk about ways to battle gum disease. AssessmentIt is important that patients adopt self-evaluation practices at home. While brushing and flossing, take a moment to look at your teeth and gums. Look for, and identify any change in gum color, loose or shifting teeth, or odd-colored discharge around or near the gumline. We will also look for these anomalies while performing a cleaning and an exam. Our team will also take x-rays to determine if any bone loss has occurred before making a recommendation regarding treatment. Non-Surgical Gum Disease TreatmentsWhile many people think there are only surgical treatments for gum disease, there are actually a few non-surgical ones too. An antibiotic can be prescribed to combat the bacterial infection. This is the simplest and sometimes the easiest to put into practice. It may come in pill form or as a cream to be rubbed in the affected area. Another non-surgical option is scaling which is used to clean the teeth both above and below the gum line. Planing is one more non-surgical procedure that involves smoothing the uneven sections of a tooth's surface to ensure bacteria cannot get a foothold on the surface. Surgical Treatments for Gum DiseaseThere are a few different surgical options available to treat and help slow the progression of gum disease. A gingivectomy is a common surgery performed to slow the progression of the disease. It removes a section of the diseased gum tissue by using either a scalpel or soft tissue laser. Pockets can develop along the gum line where the teeth and gums meet. Pocket reduction surgery strives to minimize the size of these pockets, so the gums remain supportive of the patient's teeth. It folds gum tissue back to allow for a more thorough cleaning before being put back in place. Bone grafting procedures are often used if the patient's jawbone has deteriorated significantly and needs to be restored. It can help to not only strengthen the existing bone, but allow for regrowth of new bone tissue. This helps to support the patient's natural teeth with a strong, underlying framework. If you have questions or concerns regarding any of these procedures, please do not hesitate to contact our Wildhorse Dental office. We are also available by phone at 636-537-0447 to discuss periodontal treatment and to schedule your next appointment. |
Office HoursMonday: 8:00am-5:00pm Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Wednesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Thursday: 7:30am-3:00pm Fri‑Sun: Closed |
