Gum Disease Matters

Severe periodontal (gum) disease should not be ignored.

It’s an inflammation and infection of the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. The chronic inflammation of periodontal disease (periodontitis) can result in lost teeth. Untreated periodontal disease is also closely linked to the onset and progression of a long list of seemingly unrelated conditions including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and respiratory disease.

The good news is that improving your oral health by treating severe gum disease now can reduce the amount of inflammation from the disease that enters the bloodstream, the inflammation that’s linked to these other serious conditions.

Many Ways of Treating Gum Disease

Individuals with very early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) may be able to reverse the condition all together.

For patients with more advanced cases of gum disease, we can manage the disease with a variety of medications and treatments (and often a combination of them) that will also depend on your oral and overall health.

These solutions include:

• Scaling and root planning: A much deeper form of dental cleaning, this non-surgical procedure includes removing plaque and tartar from under the gum line and smoothing your root surfaces. The process, performed with local anesthesia, helps keep bacteria from reattaching.
• Pocket reduction surgery: Your periodontist creates a tiny flap that lets him/her clean your tooth roots and then reposition the gums.
• LANAP® – This minimally invasive handheld laser targets diseased gum tissue but leaves healthy tissue intact.
• Pinhole for Gum Recession: No sutures or scalpels are required for this minimally invasive alternative to traditional gum grafting used to cover exposed recessed areas.
• And More: Bone and tissue grafting, guided tissue regeneration, regenerative endoscopic procedure and other treatments clean tooth roots, replace jawbone material or soft tissue lost to gum disease, stimulate regeneration and, overall, remove bacteria and help create healthy bone and gum tissue.

Take the Next Steps

If you suspect you have gum disease or have been told you indeed have gum disease and finally want to take the first step to protect your gums and teeth, contact usfor an evaluation by one of our six specialists.

We’ll review options with you to find the best way to move forward toward saving your smile.

Referrals are always welcomed but are not required.