Periodontal Care
Our gums are important. If you think of your teeth as beautiful art pieces hanging on the wall, then your gums are the frames that surround them. As such, a damaged frame can take away from the overall aesthetic and quality of the entire piece.
Our gums support our teeth and help keep them healthy. They are just as important to clean and care for as our teeth are, and failing to do so can result in a variety of painful periodontal diseases. In fact, it’s estimated that around 70% of adults over the age of 40 deal with some sort of periodontal issue. But with proper care, it’s treatable!
Chester Dental Arts provides complete periodontal therapy, using the most advanced technology to make your treatment as comfortable and effective as possible.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is the infection of the gums and jawbone by bacteria in built-up plaque that corrodes over time. The infection most often begins with gingivitis, which weakens gum tissue, followed by periodontitis, which is a full recession of the gums and the formation of periodontal pockets around the tooth. If left untreated for too long, it will not only be painful but can result in the loss of one or many of your teeth.
If you are experiencing red, swollen, or puffy gums, bleeding of the gums, loose teeth, bad breath, or noticeable changes in bite, you may be suffering from periodontal disease. Luckily, this is most effectively treated the earlier it is caught.
Gingival recession (gum recession) is extremely common, and often is brought about by periodontal disease or from a variety of other potential causes. Receding gums are characterized by the loss over time of gum tissue around surrounding teeth, resulting in a lower position of gums along the teeth. It may not be noticeable at first, but it can cause pain as the condition continues. It can eventually progress to the point where tooth roots can be seen and teeth can be lost completely.
Gum Recession
Periodontal Treatment Options
Though every effort should be made to prevent periodontal disease, complete treatment is available for when it does develop. These treatments, short of surgery, are designed to help alleviate the issue depending on how far it has progressed.
This is the removal of accumulated tartar from your gums to prevent future buildup. Under anesthesia, scaling involves the removal of plaque from below the gumline. Planing smooths the root of the tooth, which makes it difficult for the bacteria to continue to stick to the surface. Together, these techniques allow for a full cleanse of the infected area.
Antibiotics may be administered following scaling and root planing depending on the severity of the infection. Arestin® is specifically used for gum disease, and is considered highly effective at fighting that bacteria. It is a powdered antibiotic, and applied to periodontal pockets directly.
Eliminating diseased gum tissue may be an effective way to promote healing in some situations. This is performed via laser dentistry, which makes this type of treatment incredibly easy and comfortable. Use of a diode laser instead of a scalpel lessens pain and bleeding, and promotes quicker healing.
If you have a “gummy smile,” that is, gums that are too prominent along the teeth and making those teeth look shorter, gum lifting may be an option for you. This involves a recontouring and reshaping of the gums, revealing more of the teeth and creating a more symmetrical look to your smile. This is also effective for restoring gum appearance after an implant has been placed, or after the removal of metal braces.
Severe infections and gum recession pose big risks to your underlying bone structure, and need to be addressed in any way possible. When gum surgery is needed, we refer you to a gum grafting specialist. This procedure involved the use of donor tissue, often from the roof of your mouth, that is applied to the areas affected by severe gum recession. Over time, the grafts will accept their new placement and seal themselves to the gums to cover any exposed roots and lead to a healthier looking smile.
