Periodontal Diseases and Treatment

Most adults have some degree of periodontal (gum) disease and may not even know it. There are different stages of gum disease that range from simple gum inflammations to serious conditions that may result in soft- tissue and bone damage. The disease normally occurs when the bone beneath the gum becomes infected or inflamed with the more serious cases resulting in tooth loss. Thankfully, periodontal diseases can be controlled by taking good care of your teeth and gums. The common symptoms of periodontal or gum disease includes:

• Sensitive teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Swelling and redness of the gums
• Bleeding gums
• Receding gums
• Feeling pain when chewing

Treating Periodontal Diseases

The best approach for treating periodontal diseases is controlling the infection. Periodontal treatment varies depending on the extent of damage and patient’s response to treatment. Treatment ranges from surgical operation to nonsurgical therapies to restore supportive tissues and stem the spread of bacteria respectively.

Non-surgical Treatment Procedures for Periodontal Diseases

• Dental cleaning – professional dental cleaning is performed during checkup by our dental hygienist. The cleaning process involves the removal of plaque and tartar. We always recommend regular dental visits of at least twice a year to ensure any signs of periodontal diseases are caught early.
• Scaling and root planning –cleans tartar and bacterial biofilm from infected root surfaces above and below the gums allowing your body’s healing capacity to restore the infected tissues to health.

Surgical Treatment procedures for Periodontal Disease

The procedures include:

• Bone grafts – this surgical procedure involves the use of bone fragments or synthetic bone to replace damaged bone.
• Flap surgery – this procedure also referred to as pocket reduction surgery is performed by removing tartar beneath the gum. This operation may involve gum restoration and leveling of damaged bones.
• LANAP-In some cases, periodontal disease may require laser-assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP. LANAP surgery is performed by your trained and certified dentist, Dr. Seaberg, to effectively treat the disease. The LANAP procedure involves no cutting or sewing of the gum, which allows patients to experience a faster, easier recovery with minimal post-operative pain, bleeding, and swelling. LANAP is a wonderful alternative to traditional gum surgery. Read more about this advanced procedure here (link to blog)

The other surgical treatment procedures include bone surgery and guided tissue regeneration. It is important to note that surgical treatments are only carried out when the tissue around the teeth becomes un-repairable or unhealthy. You can seek both non-surgical and surgical periodontal treatments at Cardinal Dental Group, which is a renowned private practice based in Dayton, TX.