Medication
There are a variety of ways periodontists can treat periodontal disease. Following dental school, periodontists receive up to three additional years of specialized training in both surgical and non-surgical periodontal procedures to treat gum disease. Periodontists are also experts in replacing missing teeth with dental implants. Surgical Treatment.
Procedures
Mar 21, 2018 · If your periodontal disease has caused a loss of bone or gum tissue, your dentist may recommend bone or tissue grafts in addition to surgical pocket reduction. This will help regenerate bone or...
Self-care
Periodontists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and may provide you with treatment options that are not offered by your dentist. Back to top Treatment The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease.
Nutrition
Scaling and root planing is the standard treatment for periodontal disease. This non-surgical deep cleaning removes tartar, plaque (biofilm), and bacteria from the tooth at and below the gumline and its roots. It also promotes your gum tissue's regeneration to …
How to reverse periodontal disease naturally?
Here are some of the more common treatments for periodontal disease: Scaling and root planing - In order to preserve the health of the gum tissue, the bacteria and calculus (tartar) which initially caused the infection, must be removed. The gum pockets will be cleaned and treated with antibiotics as necessary to help alleviate the infection.
What to expect from periodontal treatment?
Mar 19, 2022 · Your dentist or periodontist may prescribe you antibiotic gel to apply to your gums twice daily after brushing, flossing, and irrigation. This gel kills bacteria, and will help get your periodontal infection under control. [10] 6 Take all oral antibiotics that were prescribed by your dentist or periodontist.
How to cure periodontitis naturally?
This is a deep-cleaning, nonsurgical procedure, done under a local anesthetic, whereby plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away …
Is it possible to cure periodontal disease?
What does periodontal treatment involve?
Initial periodontal therapy Scaling and root planing is the thorough cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque, calculus (tartar) and bacteria. It also involves the smoothing of root surfaces to prevent recurring build up and allow for reattachment of the gingiva (gum tissues).
Is periodontal treatment worth it?
Periodontal treatment is very important. It does prevent tooth loss, which can be caused by periodontitis. This treatment also prevents other issues caused by periodontitis, like heart attack risks. You should talk to your dentist if you suspect periodontitis.Oct 1, 2020
How long does periodontal treatment take?
Most gum surgery procedures take around 2 hours to complete. In some cases, the surgery will require a person to be asleep or partially asleep during the procedure. Other times, the surgery only involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the gums.Mar 10, 2018
Can periodontal be cured?
Periodontitis can only be treated but cannot be cured. Gingivitis, on the other hand, can be prevented by maintaining proper oral hygiene practices and visiting the dentist for checkups and exams.
Will I lose my teeth if I have periodontal disease?
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.Feb 14, 2020
Can I keep my teeth with periodontal disease?
Saving teeth from periodontal disease is possible if you detect the signs and symptoms early or regularly visit your dentist for cleanings and exams. Let the condition progress unhindered, and tooth loss should be considered as an eventuality.Jan 1, 2021
What is the main cause of periodontal disease?
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.
How much does periodontal treatment cost?
Periodontal Disease treatment cost ranges from $1,700 - $8,000, and teeth extractions average $200.00-$300.00 per tooth. The first treatment option is root scaling and planning. If this is not effective, surgery is needed, potentially using pocket reduction and bone grafting.Jan 20, 2021
What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. When you don't brush your teeth and clean in hard-to-reach places in your mouth, the following happens: The bacteria in your mouth multiply and form a substance known as dental plaque.
What does periodontal pain feel like?
They cause a dull, gnawing, localized pain but are not painful to percussion. The discomfort ranges from low intensity aches to severe acute pain. Periodontal abscesses may be tender to lateral periodontal pressure and the pain in the tooth adjacent to the injury usually worsens with chewing.
Can gum grow back?
Unfortunately, no, your gums can't grow back. Once they've receded, they'll stay receded. This is why it's important to prevent gum recession before it occurs.
Do I need periodontal maintenance forever?
Instead, you will require special ongoing gum and bone care procedures, known as Periodontal Maintenance Therapy, to keep the disease under control and keep your mouth healthy. In most cases, Periodontal Disease is a lifelong disease that never goes away.
What is the procedure for periodontitis?
If you have advanced periodontitis, treatment may require dental surgery, such as: Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery). Your periodontist makes tiny incisions in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing.
What is the goal of periodontitis treatment?
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to surrounding bone. You have the best chance for successful treatment when you also adopt a daily routine of good oral care, manage health conditions that may impact dental health and stop tobacco use.
How to tell if you have periodontitis?
To determine whether you have periodontitis and how severe it is, your dentist may: Review your medical history to identify any factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, such as smoking or taking certain medications that cause dry mouth. Examine your mouth to look for plaque and tartar buildup and check for easy bleeding.
How to measure pocket depth?
Measure the pocket depth of the groove between your gums and teeth by placing a dental probe beside your tooth beneath your gumline, usually at several sites throughout your mouth. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). Pockets deeper than 4 mm may indicate periodontitis.
What is the best treatment for bacterial infection?
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection.
How to fix gum recession?
This is usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth (palate) or using tissue from another donor source and attaching it to the affected site. This can help reduce further gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth a more pleasing appearance. Bone grafting.
What is guided tissue regeneration?
Guided tissue regeneration. This allows the regrowth of bone that was destroyed by bacteria. In one approach, your dentist places a special piece of biocompatible fabric between existing bone and your tooth. The material prevents unwanted tissue from entering the healing area, allowing bone to grow back instead.
What are the different types of periodontal disease?
There are different forms of periodontal disease, but the following are the most common: 1 Chronic gingivitis. A reversible, milder form of periodontal disease, marked by inflammation, redness, and bleeding gums. There is no bone loss with gingivitis, and as noted, it is easily preventable! 2 Aggressive periodontitis. A rapid loss of gum attachment and bone destruction in a short period. 3 Chronic periodontitis. The most common form of periodontitis. It progresses slowly. 4 Necrotizing periodontal disease. An infection resulting from the death of gum tissue surrounding the tooth and connecting bone. Its common symptoms are a foul odor and painful bleeding gums.
What is the sign of gum disease?
Gingivitis to Periodontitis. A significant indicator of gum disease is inflammation, which is the body's way of shielding, guarding, and protecting itself from infection. Think of it as a blowfish puffing up to scare away predators!
Why do teeth get loose?
Toxins from this buildup of bacterial plaque affect your gum tissue and the bone and ligaments that support your teeth. As the infection causes periodontitis to spread to the bone and supporting tissues, your teeth may become loose and need removal. But even advanced cases of periodontal disease don't have to progress to this point.
What is scaling and root planing?
Your first step in periodontal disease treatment is a conservative, non-surgical approach called scaling and root planing (SRP). A dentist or dental hygienist provides this treatment by scraping and removing the plaque and tartar from your teeth and root surfaces with instruments designed for this purpose.
What does it mean when your gums are red?
A periodontal abscess can sometimes occur from advanced gum disease. This abscess appears as a red, swollen lesion on the gumline. If you suddenly feel a sharp pain in your gums, it's best to see a dentist quickly, as the sooner an abscess gets treatment, the better!
Is laser therapy better than other dental treatments?
There are a few apparent benefits of this novel therapy. They include the laser's ability to target the disease precisely, in a less invasive nature, and shorter recovery time. There is insufficient evidence demonstrating that laser therapy is better than other gum disease therapy forms. It would help if you spoke with your dentist about all available therapy options. It's always best to err on the side of caution with dental decisions.
Is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure?
When dealing with periodontal disease, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.". This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.
What is the best treatment for periodontal disease?
Bone and tissue grafts. If your periodontal disease has caused a loss of bone or gum tissue, your dentist may recommend bone or tissue grafts in addition to surgical pocket reduction. This will help regenerate bone or tissue lost.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal diseases are infections in the structures around the teeth, but not in the actual teeth themselves. These structures include the: It can progress from gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease and only affects the gums, to the other structures. Periodontal diseases are caused most often by a combination ...
What are the risks of gum disease?
Gum disease should be treated as soon as possible because it’s linked to increased risk factors for conditions like: 1 stroke 2 heart disease 3 diabetes 4 respiratory disease
How to get rid of bacteria in teeth?
Your dentist will carefully detail the oral hygiene practices you need to follow, including brushing your teeth properly and flossing daily. Clean your teeth carefully, making sure not to miss any of the hard-to-reach spots, and use mouthwash to help kill off any leftover bacteria.
What is scaling in dental?
Procedures called “scaling” and “root planing” will also happen during this stage, where the dentist will clean your teeth deeply and remove plaque and calculus. Medications may also be prescribed.
How much does a deep cleaning cost?
Deep cleaning may cost between $140 and $300, depending on your location and your dentist. Your insurance may or may not cover it.
Can periodontal disease cause tooth extraction?
Periodontal disease can increase your risk for conditions like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Untreated, it can also result in tooth extraction. It’s exceptionally important to treat it. If you start early, it can even save you from needing more invasive treatments in the long run.
What is the procedure to remove gum tissue?
This could be due to the severity of your gum infection. The NIDCR notes that a common surgical option, known as gum flap surgery, entails a surgical cut in the gum tissue. It's then pulled back to allow deep cleaning around the roots underneath. Your gum tissue is then sutured back into place to heal.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the supporting tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. It's an advanced stage of infection in your gums. If discovered while still in the stage known as gingivitis, it can be reversed with a rigorous oral care routine. But periodontal disease requires professional intervention. The condition mainly affects adults in their 30s and 40s, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NICDR). The risk factors for periodontal disease include: 1 Poor oral hygiene 2 Smoking 3 Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes 4 Certain medications 5 Genetic susceptibility
What is gum disease?
Understanding Periodontal Disease. Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the supporting tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. It's an advanced stage of infection in your gums. If discovered while still in the stage known as gingivitis, it can be reversed with a rigorous oral care routine.
What are the risk factors for periodontal disease?
The risk factors for periodontal disease include: Poor oral hygiene. Smoking.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is the standard treatment for periodontal disease. This non-surgical deep cleaning removes tartar, plaque (biofilm), and bacteria from the tooth at and below the gumline and its roots. It also promotes your gum tissue's regeneration to grow back snug around your tooth.
How does laser therapy work?
How Laser Therapy Works. Laser therapy is not a standalone treatment but works in conjunction with traditional therapies. In periodontal laser therapy, your periodontist uses a laser to access and remove the inflamed gum tissue from around your tooth's root. They then remove the tartar and plaque built up below and around your gumline.
Do dentists use lasers?
Note that not all dental professionals use laser therapy. Those who decide to treat patients with this therapy undergo training on using lasers. This ensures they have the proper technique and understand how to use different wavelengths correctly.
What is the best way to treat periodontal disease?
Your dentist or periodontist may determine that antibiotics are necessary to treat your periodontal disease. After root planing, he may insert antibiotic chips in the gum pockets that will slowly dissolve and release medication to kill bacteria in a small area without influencing your entire body.
How to clean gums and teeth?
2. Brush your teeth two or three times a day with a soft tooth brush. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes per session, and pay special attention to cleaning the gum line. Any toothbrush will do, but electric toothbrushes are especially effective. Also be sure to use a toothpaste containing fluoride.
What happens if you leave periodontal disease untreated?
Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection of the gums that, if left untreated, will eventually destroy the gums, ligaments and bones supporting your teeth, leading to tooth loss.
How to diagnose periodontal disease?
1. Visit your dentist for an exam. Your dentists will examine your teeth and gums, take x-rays, and assess the extent of your gum disease by measuring the depth of periodontal pocket. She will then have you schedule a deep cleaning and give you instructions on oral hygiene and home care leading up to that appointment.
Who is Pradeep Adatrow?
This article was medically reviewed by Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS. Dr. Pradeep Adatrow is the only board certified Dentist, Periodontist, and Prosthodontist in the southern United States. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Adatrow specializes in dental implants, TMJ treatments, periodontal plastic surgery, surgical and non-surgical periodontics, bone regeneration, laser treatments, and soft tissue and gum graft procedures. He received a BS in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Alabama and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Dr. Adatrow then completed a three-year postgraduate program in periodontics and implantology at Indiana University and went on to complete another three-year postdoctoral program in advanced prosthodontics from the University of Tennessee. He also serves as a full-time professor and the Director of Surgical Prosthodontics at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Adatrow received the Dean's Junior Faculty Award and the John Diggs Faculty Award, and he was inducted into the Deans Odontological Society. He is board certified by the American Board of Periodontology and is a Fellow of the prestigious International College of Dentistry – a feat that only 10,000 others worldwide can claim. This article has been viewed 294,326 times.
How to remove tartar from gums?
Get a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums. During deep cleaning, tartar is removed through scaling and root planing. Scaling removes tartar from your teeth and below the gum line where aggressive bacteria forms. This can be done with instruments, laser, or ultrasound.
How to floss your teeth?
Floss your teeth at least once a day. Begin with an 18-inch piece of floss. Wrap it around your two middle fingers leaving a gap of 1 to 2 inches in between. Then slide the floss between two teeth, and wiggle it up and down and back and forth, several times. Keep in mind that plaque and food can get stuck under the gum line, so this is what you want to target with the floss. Be sure to wrap the floss around each tooth, and floss all the way to your gums, extending as far as you can without causing discomfort. Then repeat the process on the next tooth, moving to a new section of the floss, as it becomes soiled or frayed. Make sure that once you have placed the floss between two teeth you are flossing two surfaces. Once you have this down, the entire process should only take two or three minutes per day.
How to treat gum disease?
Some treatments for gum disease are surgical. Some examples are: Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. During this procedure the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide.
How long does it take for a tooth to heal from root planing?
The medication is available as a mouth rinse or as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in pockets after root planing and releases the medication slowly over about 7 days. Other antibiotics, including doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline (Arestin) may also be used to treat gum disease, as determined by your dentist.
Why is the bone around the tooth reshaped after flap surgery?
Smoothes shallow craters in the bone due to moderate and advanced bone loss. Following flap surgery, the bone around the tooth is reshaped to decrease the craters. This makes it harder for bacteria to collect and grow.
What is the purpose of scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus (hardened plaque, also called tartar) under the gums that needs to be removed.
What is bone graft?
Bone grafts. This procedure involves using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace bone destroyed by gum disease. The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which restores stability to teeth. New technology, called tissue engineering, encourages your own body to regenerate bone ...
What is grafted tissue?
Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. Guided tissue regeneration. Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth.
Does toothpaste contain fluoride?
Some nonprescription toothpastes that are marked as antibacterial may contain fluoride and an antibiotic called triclosan to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Lasers. Check the Academy of Laser Dentistry for information.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Preparing For Your Appointment