In simple terms, periodontitis is an infection in the gums. Periodontal Disease is caused by bacteria that have been piling up on teeth and gums. As periodontitis advances, your bones and teeth can be damaged. However, if periodontitis is treated early then the damage can be stopped.
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to comprehensively clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to the surrounding bone. The treatment of periodontal disease can either be done by surgical or non-surgical methods.
Nonsurgical Treatments
If periodontitis isn’t advanced, treatment may involve less invasive routine. The major two are mentioned below-
- Scaling
Scaling eliminates tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and beneath your gums. It may be performed via laser or an ultrasonic device. It also discourages the further accumulation of tartar and bacteria and removes byproducts that contribute to inflammation of the gum.
- Antibiotics
Topical or oral antibiotics can help in controlling bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or gels containing antibiotics in the space between your teeth and gums. However oral antibiotics are important to completely remove infection-causing bacteria.
Surgical Treatments
If you have advanced periodontitis then it may require immediate attention from the professional. Some options of surgeries are listed below-
- Flap surgery
Tiny incisions are made in your gums so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, revealing the roots for more effective scaling. After you restore to health, it’s effortless to clean these areas and maintain healthy gum tissue.
- Soft tissue grafts
When you lose gum tissue, your gum line withdraws. You may need to have some of the damaged soft tissue fortified. This is usually done by removing a tiny amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth or another donor source and fixing it to the affected site. This can help reduce further gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth a better appearance.
- Bone grafting
This procedure is performed when periodontitis has ruined the bone surrounding your tooth root. The graft is made up of small fragments of your own bone. The bone graft helps to prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also serves as a base for the regrowth of natural bone.
- Guided tissue regeneration
This allows the regrowth of bone that was destructed by bacteria. Usually, your dentist places a special piece of biocompatible fabric between existing bone and tooth. The material prevents unwanted tissue from entering the healing area which allows the bone to grow back.
- Tissue-stimulating proteins
Another method involves applying a special gel to a diseased tooth root. This gel contains the same proteins found in developing tooth enamel and stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue. Getting this done might take several visits to your dental clinic.
We, at Periodontal Specialists, monitor your periodontal health with frequent checkups and cleaning appointments. You might come with a dental problem/issue but we make sure that you only leave with great satisfaction and an ear to ear smile.
