Periodontal Care with Pinewood
Dentistry and Implants
What is periodontal care?
What to Expect During Your Deep Cleaning Appointment
Local anesthetic is administered so you feel nice and comfortable during your treatment. This is done since deep cleanings may cause more sensitivity for patients than ordinary dental cleanings.
Next, one of our hygienists will use special instruments to “scale” or scrape tartar and plaque from between each of your teeth and below the gum line. The goal is to remove amalgamated bacteria that cause periodontal disease.
The hygienist will “plane” or smooth out the roots of your teeth. This process eliminates and discourages the pockets that form below the tooth roots, where harmful bacteria can also gather.
Depending on your case, you may be given topical antibiotics that are to be applied to gums, a prescription rinse that you can use at home, or an antibiotic taken orally.
Deep Cleanings
Attending regular teeth cleanings will ensure that you have a healthy smile now and for years to come. We recommend scheduling appointments twice a year so our dental team can address any minor stains, plaque, or bacteria that may have formed since your last visit.
Alongside coming in for professional cleanings, having a diligent at-home hygiene routine is also important. Make sure you brush for a minimum of twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day to remove particles and other debris that can’t be removed with a toothbrush alone.
Gum Flap or Pocket Reduction Surgery
This type of surgery is typically required for more advanced cases of gum disease that cannot be treated with deep cleaning alone. In this procedure, your dentist will surgically pull your gums away from your teeth and fold them back to gain direct access to the roots. The area is cleaned and inflamed tissue is removed.
The underlying bone structure may also be adjusted to eliminate bone defects, if necessary.
Then, your gums will be reattached using sutures and given time to heal. A periodontal dressing may also be applied to help the gums heal properly.
Soft Tissue Grafts
Soft tissue grafts, also known as “gum grafts,” are used to help restore your gums after severe gum recession caused by gum disease. In this procedure, soft tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth, and is then sutured into place around the teeth. The tissue heals and bonds with the existing gum tissue, restoring your gum line and resolving negative effects of gum recession, such as tooth sensitivity.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting may be required if advanced periodontal disease has damaged your underlying jaw tissue. In this procedure, bone is taken from elsewhere in your body or from a donor, usually in the form of powder or small granules. Then, this bone matter is packed into the damaged bone area, and your natural bone heals around it, restoring your jaw.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is typically used alongside gum flap surgery. When this procedure is used, a specialized membrane is placed between the gum tissue and the bone before the gums are stitched and re-attached.
This membrane stops soft tissue (gum tissue) from growing into the gap between the teeth and gums. As it slowly dissolves, slower-growing bone tissue will grow into the area instead, which allows the jaw bone to regenerate itself.
Have questions about gum disease?
Find answers here.
Gum disease can be categorized into three different phases. The first is known as gingivitis. No permanent damage to your smile will occur, and you can completely reverse and eliminate the condition by practicing proper dental care. Common symptoms of gingivitis include inflamed and discolored gums, bleeding while brushing, and bad breath.
If it goes unaddressed, however, gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, which is stage two. This stage is irreversible, but can be halted and controlled to keep your smile functional. Lengthening of the teeth (or gum recession), oral sensitivity or soreness, excessive gum bleeding, and swollen or puffy gums are some common symptoms.
Advanced periodontitis, which leads permanent damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone, is the final stage. Symptoms entail pus forming between the teeth and gums, changes in your bite pattern, or the loosening of teeth. Surgical intervention is often required to treat this. Tooth extraction may be required in severe cases; dental implants or dentures will replace your missing teeth.
No, it is not contagious. Gum disease is caused by bacteria. In a healthy mouth, these bacteria don’t reproduce uncontrollably. When a patient has poor oral hygiene or is genetically predisposed to gum disease, this allows the bacteria to reproduce.
Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria flourishing in the mouth. This often arises due to poor oral hygiene. For example, failing to brush and floss properly gives the bacteria a chance to reproduce and form plaque and tartar. Over time, this bacteria start to attack and infect your soft tissues. Eventually, this infection will lead to permanent, irreversible damage to your smile unless you prioritize your dental health.
Genetics can also influence the likelihood of gum disease. If you have gum disease, your doctor can determine the cause and identify the best method to protect your smile.
Periodontal disease impacts more than just your dental health. It can contribute to inflammation in other parts of your body and increases the risk of general health problems like heart disease, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), and even stroke. For these reasons, it’s very important to get help for gum disease right away.