When you develop a serious concern like periodontal disease, you are not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, half of adults over the age of 30 suffer from some stage of the disease, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. But we can offer treatment! In today’s blog, your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist and implant expert talks about how we treat periodontal disease.
The Causes of Periodontal Troubles
What causes issues like gingivitis and periodontal disease to develop? The trouble starts when the gums become inflamed. This could be due to factors like poor brushing and flossing habits or a diet high in sugar and starch. These factors allow plaque and tartar buildup to occur, which then irritates and inflames the gums. Other factors include a family history of the disease, lack of professional cleanings, the use of certain medications, and the presence of inflammatory illnesses. As part of your treatment, we will carefully examine your smile to assess the case and severity of your periodontal concerns.
The Warning Signs and Dangers
What warning signs should you be aware of? You should consider an appointment for a diagnosis if you have sore and red gums, or if they bleed easily when you brush or floss. If you have swelling in your gums, or recession that makes teeth appear longer, then you should let us know. Otherwise, the disease will increase in severity until you reach a state known as periodontitis, at which point you could suffer from adult tooth loss!
Examining Your Smile
Our team will use digital x-rays and CT scanning to take a close look at our smile. These systems use a fraction of the radiation that traditional x-rays require, and the images are available instantly on a chairside monitor. Our team will be able to assess the presence and severity of the disease, and also identify any damage to the connective tissues and underlying bone structure, which we may need to repair as part of your treatment. With these detailed exams, we can plan treatment with precision to help preserve your smile and manage the disease to keep tooth loss at bay.
Managing Early Stages
If we see you in the early stages, then our team could offer treatment to manage the issue. For example, we could conduct a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, to remove buildup for the teeth, roots, and beneath the gum line. This is more involved than a traditional cleaning and could take one visit or as many as two or four. Once we remove the buildup, we can then control it with cleanings every three to four months. This helps keep your smile healthy and strong!
Laser Treatment
If you have a more advanced state of the disease, then we could offer help with a dental laser. With laser dentistry, our team will use advanced technology to remove the diseased portions of the tissues so healthy structures can attach to the teeth and keep the smile healthy and strong. Lasers target areas with precision and prevent damage to healthy gums. At the same time, they prevent swelling, infection, and bleeding, and you can usually return to your normal routine in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The procedure is comfortable and rarely requires the use of anesthesia or sedation!
Healing and Management
To help the treated area heal quickly and to help heal any damage to underlying tissues and bone structure, we could offer options like Platelet Rich Plasma, a special autoplasm we inject in the smile to facilitate healing. This can also help if you have received dental implants to counter your tooth loss. We can also offer holistic and preventive treatments to better control buildup and manage the disease, including options like cleanings, Ozone Therapy, and antimicrobial medications.
If you have any questions about how our periodontic care can manage the issue and offer you a stronger and healthier smile, then contact our team today to learn more and get started. Why not start 2025 on the path to a full and beautiful smile, with help from our team of periodontic and dental implant experts.
Schedule An Appointment For Periodontic Care
We want to offer care to help your gums stay strong, so your smile remains whole and healthy. To learn more about our periodontal treatment options, contact your Brooklyn, NY, periodontists today at (718) 444-3800. You deserve a full and beautiful smile, and now is a great time to start that process with our team, so reach or today to learn more!
