Treatment

EARLY STAGES

For the early stages of gingivitis, regular dental cleanings will suffice. Patients will also receive detailed instructions for improving your daily dental hygiene.

• Professional Dental Cleaning

On a typical checkup to the dentist, the dental expert will get rid of the plaque and tartar all over the gum line of your teeth. If you show signs of periodontitis, he will recommend more than the standard twice-a-year cleaning. Professional dental cleanings don’t necessarily cure active gingivitis. However, they are a vital preventive measure to prevent further development.

PERIODONTAL STAGE

If the disease has advanced to a more severe stage, dentists will recommend a unique periodontal cleaning.

• Scaling and Root Planing

This periodontal disease treatment is a deep-cleaning procedure. It is nonsurgical but is performed under a local anesthetic. The process will scrape away (scaling) the plaque and tartar surrounding thegum line. It will even out (planing) the irregular spots on the root of the tooth. Through planing, the microbes are eradicated to provide a clean, smooth surface. Theevened-outspot is necessary so the gumline can be appropriately reattached to the teeth.

This treatment is carried out if your dental practitioner discovers plaque and tartar under your gums that should be taken out. Prescription drugs, a special mouthwash, and an electric toothbrush are needed for your homecare routine to prevent further infection.

SURGICAL TREATMENTS

If the scaling and root planing treatment doesn’t heal the pockets, the next option in line is surgery. This is necessary to lessen pocket depth and to make dental hygiene easier. Periodontists perform the surgery.

• Flap Surgery or Pocket Reduction Surgery

For this surgical treatment, the gums are flipped to remove the tartar. Sometimes, the rough spots of the affected bone are flattened. This is done to relieve surfaces where bad microorganisms can get into. After, the gums are meticulously put back so the tissue would fit neatly around the tooth.

This procedure minimizes the size of the space between the tooth and the gum. In so doing, it limits the areas where unwanted bacteria can grow. It also lowers the risk of severe health issues related to periodontal disease.

• Soft Tissue/Gum Grafts

This periodontal disease treatment reinforces gums that have receded. Exposed roots caused by gum recession are covered through gum grafts. The gum tissue is extracted either from the palate or another resource. It is then applied to cover up the roots of the damaged tooth. Masking exposed roots efficiently lessen sensitivity and prevent them from rotting away. More importantly, the surgery stops any more gum recession as well as bone loss.

• Guided Tissue Regeneration

This treatment is done when the bone that holds up the teeth deteriorated or has been destroyed. It induces tissue growth on both bones and gums. Guided tissue regeneration is often incorporated in flap surgery. A tiny bit of mesh-like material is placed between the bone and the gum tissue. The material will prevent the tissue from growing into the bone area. This enables the bone and the gum tissue to regrow correctly.

In most patients, a nonsurgical periodontal treatment is all that is necessary to treat the disease. Surgery is only required if the tissue around the teeth is no longer viable for the nonsurgical alternatives.

If you see signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease, seek professional help. Don’t rely on DIY treatments or natural remedies. The best – and proper – way to prevent the disease from advancing is to see a dentist or a periodontist. Our office specializes in a variety of periodontal disease treatments, feel free to contact us for more information or to book an appointment.