Periodontal Disease

Periodontal diseases are caused due to infection of the tissues of the gums that hold your teeth in place. It's mainly caused by inadequate brushing and flossing habits that allow the plaque to accumulate on the teeth and harden. In advanced phases of periodontal disease, you can experience bleeding gums, painful chewing problems, and even tooth loss.

How are some Periodontal Diseases treated?

Scaling and Root planing: It is deep cleaning in areas below the gum line and is used to treat gum disease. Gum disease is caused by a gluey film of bacteria called plaque. The bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed if they aren't cleaned properly. This gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss if left untreated. If gum disease is diagnosed too late when the bacteria has already accumulated in the pockets between your gums and teeth too deeply, then scaling and root planing may be needed.

This deep cleaning is performed in two parts, namely scaling and root planing. In scaling, the dentist removes all the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line as well as the bottom of the pocket. Then root planing is carried out to smoothen your teeth roots to enable your gums to reattach to your teeth. Scaling and root planing may need more than one visit to accomplish and may require a local anesthetic.

Gumline Re-Contouring: Gums that are too high and make your teeth appear long are most often caused due to the recession of the gums, a condition in which gum tissue pulls back from a tooth, thus exposing the tooth's root. Gum recession will not only make your teeth appear too long, but it can also lead to severe periodontal diseases, which cause the deterioration of the supporting structures of the teeth. A gum line re-contouring procedure involves cutting away the excessive gum tissue to re-establish gum tissue that has receded and is revealing too much of your teeth.

Gingival Grafting:Your dentist may recommend a gum tissue graft if your gums are receding. Gum recession uncovers the roots of your teeth, thus making them more susceptible to decay, as well as more sensitive and predisposed to abrasion.

A gum graft, also called a gingival graft, can rectify the receding gums. In a gum graft procedure, your periodontist first removes a piece of tissue from the top of your mouth or from the nearby healthy gum tissue. These extracted gum tissues are then attached to the area where your gums have worn away. This procedure is relatively quick, though there is some pain and discomfort for some time.

Periodontal Plastic Surgery: These surgeries are performed to correct or prevent traumatic or plaque disease-induced issues of alveolar, bone, mucosa, and gingiva. Periodontal surgeries are also done to correct the anatomical development of the mouth. Some of the common surgeries are as follows:

• Bone grafting: When a gum disease causes damage to the surrounding tooth root, a bone graft can be done to replace the damaged tooth roots. A bone graft is created by taking small bits of your own bone or a synthetic bone in this procedure. This procedure helps in boosting natural bone regrowth and prevents any future tooth loss.
• Flap surgery:In this surgery, the surgeon will lift a unit of tissue by making minor cuts in the gum. After that, tartar and bacteria are extracted from the tooth and under the gum. And then, the gums are stitched back to help tissue fit perfectly around the tooth.
• Soft tissue grafts: This surgery helps in restoring some of the issues that have been lost previously. A small unit of tissue is removed from the roof of your mouth or donor tissue and attached to the areas where the tissues are missing. 

Call us at Eldridge Dental or schedule an online appointment to know more about Periodontal Disease