Periodontal disease, or what’s also known as gum disease, is when there is a serious gum infection that can damage the soft tissue and bones that support your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. As dentists, we always try to prevent periodontal disease from happening by telling patients to brush and floss every day. That’s why at Furumoto Dentistry, we strive to bring the best dental care that is preventative and restorative to patients’ oral health. If you do have gum disease, learn what our practice can do to help.
Treatment Options
There are a variety of treatment options patients can go through, depending on the severity of the gum disease and what your dentists recommend. This can include non-invasive (non-surgical) or surgical options.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Typically, dentists will try non-surgical and non-invasive procedures first before having to move to surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatments include:
- Scaling and Root Planing- In this procedure, an ultrasonic cleaning device is used to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth where regular cleaning devices can't reach. Then the rough surface of the tooth and the root are smoothed out (planed). This provides a clean surface for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth. It’s also important to note that after the procedure, you must keep your teeth in good shape to resist the further occurrence of gum disease.
- Antibiotics-Topical or oral antibiotics can help treat the bacterial infection of the gums. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or gels that you put on your teeth and gums or into pockets after deep cleaning. However, oral antibiotics may be necessary to completely eliminate the infection.
Surgical Treatments
If the tissue or bone surrounding your teeth is too damaged to be repaired with non-invasive treatments, several surgical procedures are an option to prevent further severe damage. Your dentists will recommend a procedure that is best suited to the condition of your teeth and gums. Surgical treatments include:
- Pocket Depth Reduction (Also Known as “Flap Surgery”)-In a healthy mouth, the teeth are firmly surrounded by gum tissue and securely supported by the bones of the jaw. Periodontal disease damages these tissues and bones, leaving open spaces around the teeth called pockets (this is where the bacterial infection develops). With “flap surgery”, your dentists will fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria, plaque, and tartar underneath. Then they sew the healthy tissue back into place, leaving your mouth restored.
- Regeneration-During this procedure, your dentist will begin by folding back the gum tissue and removing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Depending on your situation, they may then perform a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth or apply a special kind of protein that stimulates tissue growth to repair the areas that have been destroyed by the disease.
- Soft-Tissue Graft-Periodontal disease can include gum recession (also called gingival recession). This is when the gums recede and more of the roots are revealed. This increases damage as bacteria, plaque, and tartar attack the surface of the tooth and the root. During a soft-tissue graft, tissue from the top of your mouth or another source is sewed to the gum area, covering the roots and restoring the gum line to its original location.
Get Treated For Periodontal Disease Today!
Think you are suffering from periodontal disease? Contact Furumoto Dentistry today! We can help restore your mouth to its natural and healthy look. Schedule a consultation today. Our Diamond Bar, CA office can also answer any questions or concerns you have. We also offer a variety of treatments for everyone of all ages!