Periodontics
Periodontics deals in all structures that support and surround your teeth. These structures include the gum, connective tissues, and bone. Periodontics can diagnose and treat issues involving these structures around your teeth.
Periodontal disease or gum disease does not happen overnight. It takes several stages and first of which is gingivitis. When not treated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis and consequently, advanced periodontitis.
Early signs of gum disease may be hard to spot as they are usually painless. Hence, it pays knowing the common symptoms. Here are few examples:
- Swollen, bleeding gums
- Receding gums, loose teeth
- Persistent foul breath
Various factors could trigger gum diseases. Crooked or misaligned teeth, poor fitting dentures, and harmful habits, such as smoking, could all contribute to gum disease. When gum disease worsens, the roots and supporting bone of the teeth suffer damage which can then result in tooth loss.
Periodontal diseases can be treated and are preventable too. The key is observing good oral hygiene habits and dental visits.
Gum Disease Treatments
Dentists use various treatments depending on the severity of the gum problem. Here’s an overview of available gum treatments for patients:
- Deep cleaning. This treatment includes scaling and root planing. The goal in deep cleaning is to get rid of bacteria and plaque below the gum line and stop them from spreading.
- Pocket reduction surgery. Gum tissues normally fit snugly on your teeth. However, when you have gum disease, these tissues get damaged and loosen. Hence the creation of pockets where bacteria thrive. During pocket reduction surgery, dentists fold back the gum tissue and reduce the pocket size to keep bacteria out.
- Gum graft. In gum graft treatments, dentists save receding gums by treating exposed teeth root areas. It’s hard to notice if your gums are receding because this is a gradual process. Your dentist can check whether you need a gum graft.
There are various types of gum grafts. First is the connective tissue graft. Here, dentists collect tissue from a flap of skin located at the roof of the mouth. After which, they stitch back the flap of skin and sew the extracted tissue on the area in need of repair.
Another is the free gingival grafts which is very similar to connective tissue grafts. However, the flap of skin is not cut this time. Instead, the tissue is directly removed from the roof of the mouth.
Lastly is the pedicle grafts.
On this procedure, tissue is taken from the gum around or near the affected tooth. The tissue is then sewn to cover the exposed tooth root.
Protect the gums that protect your teeth. If you’re interested in having your gums checked, please contact our office.
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