If you have ever had trouble with your gums, you may have seen a dentist with experience in periodontics. It is the treatment of disease that affects the gums and other structures around your teeth.
Dentists who study periodontics have comprehensive training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing gum disease. They spend three additional years in school beyond dental training.
A dentist who has completed additional training in periodontics can help you treat various conditions that affect your gums. You can also get treatment for problems that involve the ligaments and bones that support your teeth.
In the early stages, periodontal disease is called gingivitis. Early signs include inflammation and redness in the gums around your teeth. You may also notice bleeding, especially when you brush. Gingivitis can be treated if you catch it in time.
Gum disease in its more advanced stages is called periodontal disease. Poor oral care can lead to plaque and bacteria buildup. The biofilm that the bacteria produces can go below the gum line and cause infection. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth as they form pockets that become infected.
As periodontal disease advances, it destroys gum tissue and bone. Your gums begin to recede, and your teeth may become unusually sensitive. You may experience bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth that does not disappear. It may become painful to chew, and your teeth may begin to feel loose.
The practice of periodontics also includes cosmetic procedures that involve the gums. Patients with excessive gum tissue around their teeth may choose to have a dental crown lengthening procedure. This treatment involves reshaping the gum and bones to expose more of the tooth.
Dental crown lengthening can also be done to prepare for a restorative procedure. The tooth may need more crown exposure to complete the process, and dental crown lengthening prepares the area.
Receding gums may need grafting to cover exposed roots. A gum grafting procedure involves attaching tissue grafted from the roof of the mouth or a donor source. The exposed root is protected to prevent bone loss and further recession.
If you have lost one or more teeth, you may need dental implants to replace them. An implant consists of an artificial tooth root placed in or on the jawbone. A prosthetic tooth is placed on top of the artificial root.
Dental implants are sometimes used in place of dentures in patients with a healthy and adequate bone structure to hold the implant.
Dentists who study periodontics know the latest techniques to treat gum problems. They can use various procedures to treat patients.
In the early stages of gum disease, a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling removes plaque and toxins. The dentist uses special tools to remove tartar, plaque, and bacterial toxins above and below the gum line.
Root planing is the process of smoothing the tooth root to remove plaque and tartar. It also smooths rough surfaces that trap bacteria. Your teeth and gums can begin to heal from gum disease once the surfaces are clean.
Another option for treating periodontal disease is using lasers that clean the gums and roots. The dentist directs a laser at the affected area, using the correct wavelength and power for the treatment.
When bacteria and plaque cause the gum to pull away from the tooth and form pockets, the dental professional folds the damaged tissue back and removes the infection. The dentist may smooth the bones to remove areas where bacteria can hide. The gums are then fit around the tooth again.
When periodontal disease destroys the bone surrounding your teeth, your dentist may recommend a regenerative procedure. It involves grafting bone or using tissue-stimulating proteins to encourage the body to regenerate tissue and bone. If enough bone and tissue grow back, you may be a candidate for dental implants if necessary.
Severe gum disease may lead to so much bone loss that a tooth cannot be saved. In this case, the dentist removes the tooth.
The practice of periodontics can revitalize your oral health. It can also restore your smile with dental implants. Regular oral hygiene is a good way to prevent gum disease. However, a dentist trained in periodontics knows the latest treatments for gingivitis, advanced gum disease, and other gum problems.
Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Periodontics in Scottsdale, AZ.
Flossing can help patients take extra steps to keep their teeth clean and prevent infection.We offer treatment for the structures that are crucial to supporting and surrounding teeth. If these structures do not receive the proper level of care, then your teeth are more susceptible to infection.PeriodonticsAt Sonoran Desert Dentistry in Scottsdale, we work to…
There are many different types of dental specialists, but if you are looking for one that can help you with missing teeth, then what you need is an implant dentist. This particular type of dentist specializes in the installation of dental implants for missing teeth. Figuring out whether or not dental implants are right for…
Peri-implantitis is a painful condition that affects the dental implant site. If left untreated, the consequences are irreversible, so it is important to maintain a checkup schedule with an implant dentist. However, an implant dentist can save your implants, gum tissue, and jawbone without much hassle if caught in its early stages. This article will…
If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, you might want to talk with an implant dentist first about what getting implants entails, including aftercare for your implants. The dentist will be able to share with you how the procedure will work, what recovery looks like, and what you should be doing to…
Invisalign® has been around for a little more than two decades and, in that time, has corrected millions of smiles. As a result, dentists feel confident recommending Invisalign® for teens, which is precisely what it sounds like — a clear aligner system designed specifically for teens’ smiles. As a parent, you may have several concerns…
The teenage years can be awkward, especially for those who have to deal with crooked teeth. Invisalign® presents an alternative to traditional braces, and these clear aligners can have the same corrective impact with less discomfort both physically and socially for a self-conscious teen. The benefits of clear aligners and the ability to correct an…