Our gums act as frames for our smile, and they help keep our teeth firmly in place. Which means good gum health is essential for a beautiful and stable smile. Which is why we offer periodontics, treatment to prevent or manage periodontal disease, keeping your smile strong. In today’s blog, your Brooklyn, NY, periodontists and implant experts look at how we keep your smile whole and your gums healthy.
The Causes and Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
The issue starts with gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis. Without treatment, the inflammation will grow in severity until the tissues pull away from the teeth and form pockets. You then develop periodontal disease once certain bacteria enter these exposed pockets. While gingivitis can be reversed, periodontal disease cannot, but treatment to manage the disease can prevent the periodontist stages linked to tooth loss. Factors behind inflammation include a family history of the disease, a diet high in sugar and starch, infrequent brushing and flossing or professional cleanings, tobacco use, and inflammatory illnesses.
Symptoms will vary in type and severity, but be sure to let us know if you notice your gums appear red, feel sore and bleed easily, swell, or even recede from the teeth, making them appear longer. These are all common symptoms of serious inflammation or even the early or advanced stages of periodontal disease.
The Link to Tooth Loss
When the disease reaches the periodontitis stage, this could destroy the tissues that connect your teeth and gums, causing tooth loss. In fact, this is the most common form of adult tooth loss, and why you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms we discussed in the section above. Reach out right away so we can examine your smile and find out if you need treatment, and plan the approach with precision!
Digital X-Rays and CT Scans
We want to not only identify the presence of inflammation or disease, but also assess the damage done to your smile. Periodontal disease can cause attachment loss between the teeth and gums, and weaken jawbone structure too. With digital x-rays and CT scans, we can obtain detailed images of your smile above and beneath the gums, and these are available instantly chairside, using a fraction of the radiation that traditional x-rays require. We then make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, and plan the best solution so you can maintain a bright, beautiful, and whole smile.
Scaling and Root Planing
In the early stages, we can conduct a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, to bring the disease into a more manageable state with preventive care moving forward. The deep cleaning involves the use of an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove all buildup for the teeth and the roots as we. We also remove buildup and destroy pockets of bacteria beneath the gums. The procedure is more involved than a cleaning, and we will numb the smile to keep you comfortable. This could take one visit or several, depending on the severity of your buildup. We complete the process by polishing your smile, which makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar buildup to become severe before your next cleaning visit.
Laser Dentistry
If you have a more advanced case of periodontal disease, then we can employ advanced dental lasers. With this technology, we can gently and carefully remove diseased tissues and in the process, reshape the gum line. Lasers target the areas with precision to prevent damage to healthy gums, and provide attachment of healthy tissues to the teeth. The lasers limit the risk of bleeding, infection, and swelling, and the treatment rarely requires the use of anesthesia. The treated area heals quickly, with most people returning to normal activities 24 to 48 hours. No scalpels or sutures needed at all!
Treating Tooth Loss
What if you have already lost teeth due to the disease? In addition to treatments to manage the disease and protect the rest of your natural teeth, we can offer replacement options to fill the gaps in your smile. For example, with dental implants we can secure replacement for one tooth or several, with results that look and function like natural teeth, lasting for decades to come with proper care and attention. If you have any questions about how we manage and treat issues like periodontal disease to keep your smile whole, or about options for filling the gaps in your smile, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule Your Next Periodontic Visit With Your Brooklyn, NY, Periodontist
Our team wants to help you maintain good gum health and a full smile for years to come. To schedule an appointment, contact your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist by calling (718) 444-3800.
