If you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, managing the condition and taking the steps to get it under control is essential to having a healthy smile.
If you’ve recently had this type of procedure, don’t wait 12 months to see the dentist again. Almost immediately following a treatment, plaque and tartar begin to form again. Many patients don’t realize that periodontal maintenance is the only sure way to keep gum disease from returning.
Procedures such as scaling and root planing should be performed at regular intervals following any periodontal treatment. Suggested maintenance includes the continued removal of plaque and tartar, scaling and tooth planing, and polishing. Call our team for more information on periodontal maintenance.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a serious long-term infection of the gums that damages the soft and hard tissue around teeth and destroys the bone that supports them. The disease begins as plaque (virtually a bacterial culture) sits on the gum sulcus, where the tooth emerges, and hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it becomes a home for bacteria that attack the soft tissue at the base of the teeth. This detaches the gum from teeth, creating a pocket where more bacteria accumulate and fester, which causes even more detachment of the gum and the destruction of bone.
Since the disease generally causes no pain or obvious symptoms, the only defense is to have regular check-ups at your dentist.
Scientific research has shown links to gum disease and stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Pregnant women can be affected by gum disease because the body’s entire immune system is weakened.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis which can destroy the tissue surrounding your teeth, and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Inflamed, bleeding gums and bad breath are early warning signs that a patient may have gingivitis. The disease advances silently and often without pain.
Bacteria thrive and multiply when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth. Bacteria can cause gums to become inflamed and bleed, and those conditions become more noticeable when you eat or when you brush your teeth. Don’t wait to see your dentist if you think you might have gingivitis. The degenerative disease can cause significant tooth and gum deterioration if left untreated. If you do have gingivitis, treating the condition is relatively simple and can be performed by your hygienist or dentist.
Periodontal Treatment
Treating periodontal disease is essential to having a healthy smile and preserving your teeth. Although there is no cure for this disease, maintenance and diligent treatment are the only way to prevent further bone loss and progression, which ultimately leads to bone loss.
Once you have engaged in gum treatment it is imperative to see the dentist every three months. Almost immediately following a treatment, plaque and tartar begin to form again. Many patients don’t realize that periodontal maintenance is the only sure way to keep gum disease from progressing.
Procedures such as scaling and root planing should be performed initially to start the campaign of reducing periodontal pockets. Suggested maintenance includes the continued removal of plaque and tartar, scaling and root planing and polishing.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and planing is a non-surgical procedure that is administered with anesthesia. While the procedure is usually painless, advanced stages of gingivitis may make it necessary to numb the area. Deep scaling and root planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment. This allows for adequate healing time and reduces the time for each appointment.
If the disease is not treated early, the roots of the teeth will need root planing to remove the tartar that has accumulated on the root surfaces, causing the gum to detach. Patients might ask what is the difference between scaling and root planing? Regular scaling during routine prophylaxis is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surface. Scaling AND root planing is the process of removing plaque and tartar from the tooth root and planing is smoothing the root surfaces to remove the irregular spots where bacteria will gather.
ARESTIN
ARESTIN is an antibiotic a dental professional places directly into infected gum pockets after a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure. Arestin in conjunction with SRP will fight bacteria to help prevent the progression of periodontal disease.
GUM SURGERY
When the disease is advanced and/or the tissues do not respond to the initial conservative treatment, SRP, surgery will become the next treatment step. Periodontal surgery is performed to correct bone defects caused by periodontitis, remove diseased tissue and to allow better access for hygiene. There is regenerative surgery and resective surgery.
Resective and regenerative periodontal surgeries serve distinct purposes in managing periodontal disease and restoring oral health.
Resective surgery is primarily focused on eliminating diseased or excess tissue to create a healthier and more manageable environment for the patient. This type of surgery is often used when periodontal damage is severe and cannot be reversed. By removing deep pockets of infected tissue, recontouring irregular bone, or removing inflamed gum tissue, resective surgery reduces the risk of further infection and provides a stable foundation for oral hygiene and restorative treatments. Procedures such as gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, or osseous surgery fall under this category, aiming to reshape the periodontal structure for better functionality.
In contrast, regenerative periodontal surgery is designed to rebuild the tissues lost due to periodontal disease, including bone, periodontal ligament, and connective tissue attachment. This approach leverages advanced techniques like bone and or connective tissue grafts, guided tissue regeneration, or biologic agents to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Regenerative surgery is often indicated in cases where vertical bone defects are present, allowing for the restoration of the natural structure and function of the periodontium. While resective surgery focuses on removing the diseased tissue, regenerative surgery emphasizes healing and regeneration, providing patients with a more comprehensive and long-term solution to periodontal damage. Together, these approaches offer versatile options to address varying severities and manifestations of periodontal disease.
Call our team in Kissimmee, FL immediately to schedule an appointment if you think you have signs of gum disease.
