Periodontal Disease
Meaning “around the tooth,” periodontal disease effects the gums and bone structure that support teeth. Also known as gum disease, the first stage – gingivitis – begins with a build-up of a sticky film called plaque. If plaque isn’t removed it can become calculus (tartar), which destroys gums and bone. Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are all signs of periodontal disease.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Many people have periodontal disease and don’t even know it. Catching periodontal issues early is key, as problems can be reversed before they advance.
There are a variety of treatments we offer for periodontal disease, including:
- Bone grafting: A versatile and predictable procedure, grafting can help replace lost bone tissue and encourage natural bone growth
- Crown lengthening: This procedure exposes more of a patient’s natural teeth by recontouring bone and gum tissue. Crown lengthening can be used to correct a “gummy” smile, as well as prepare patients for further restorative or cosmetic treatments.
- Gum grafting: The opposite of crown lengthening, gum grafting cover exposed tooth surface and can help reduce tooth sensitive, improve gum health, and improve the look of your smile by fighting gum recession and inflammation.
- Scaling and root planning: This treatment can help fight the cause of gum inflammation by removing dental plaque and tartar. Scaling and root planning is nonsurgical and can help prevent disease, protect teeth, and fight bad breath.
