What type of dentist treats gum disease?
If a thorough examination by your dental professional determines that you need gum surgery, you will probably be referred to a periodontist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of gum disease. Gingival flap surgery is the type often used to treat gum disease. If you’re scheduled to undergo gingival flap surgery, here’s what to expect:
What are the different types of gum disease treatments?
There are a variety of treatments for gum disease depending on the stage of disease, how you may have responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health. Treatments range from nonsurgical therapies that control bacterial growth to surgery to restore supportive tissues.
Do you need gum surgery for gum disease?
There are several types of gum surgeries that your dentist might recommend if you’ve developed gum disease. The most common cause of gum disease is when excessive bacteria builds up in your mouth and creates excess plaque and your body is unable to fight the infection.
What is involved in gum surgery?
During the surgery The surgeon folds the gums back to form a flap in order to access the tissue below the gums. The infected tissue below and between the teeth is removed, and the surgeon then follows with tooth scaling and root planing to remove plaque and bacteria below the gum line.
Who specializes in the treatment of gums?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease. They also help you manage signs of advancing gum problems like oral inflammation.
What type of dentist does gum surgery?
Reasons for Gum Surgery Periodontitis usually requires a visit to a gum doctor, known as a periodontist, and treatment may involve gum surgery. Periodontal surgery can regrow damaged bones and tissues, prevent tooth loss, reduce gum gaps between the teeth, and reshape the jawbone to eliminate bacterial growth.
What is gum treatment called?
Gum Disease Treatments Patients whose gingivitis has progressed into periodontal disease will often need to undergo a dental procedure called deep cleaning (also known as root scaling and planning). In this procedure, the dentist will scrape away the plaque and tartar off the teeth above and below the gum line.
What type of service is a gum graft?
A gum graft is a type of dental surgery performed to correct the effects of gum recession. It is a quick and relatively simple surgery in which a periodontist removes healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and uses it to build the gum back up where it has receded.
What is an endodontist vs periodontist?
Endodontists specialize in managing tooth pain and infection coming from the inside of the tooth. Periodontists focus their extra training on gum inflammation, gum diseases, and treating these issues.
What is the difference between an oral surgeon and a periodontist?
The Difference The bottom line is that a periodontist focuses on implants and gum health, while an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can perform a wide variety of surgical procedures on the mouth, jaw, and face.
What procedures do periodontists perform?
Common Periodontic Procedures and TreatmentsNon-surgical Periodontal Treatment. Not all periodontal treatment involves a surgery of some sort. ... Scaling and Root Planing. ... Periodontics' Tray Delivery Systems. ... Dental Implants. ... Regeneration. ... Soft Tissue Grafting. ... Gingivectomy.
What is cosmetic gum surgery?
What Is Cosmetic Gum Surgery? It is a dental treatment that involves surgically modifying the gum tissue to improve the appearance of a smile. The procedure goes by different names, including gingival sculpting, gum contouring, or gingivoplasty.
When should I see a periodontist?
If you notice that your teeth seem to appear elongated or that your gums are receding at all, then you should schedule an appointment with a periodontist. Longer-looking and loose-feeling teeth can indicate recession of the gums and/or bone loss as a result of periodontal disease.
Is gum grafting covered by insurance?
Gum grafting is generally covered by insurance plan; however, every patient's plan will have different levels of coverage and out of pocket expenses.
Can a dentist do anything for receding gums?
In cases of gum recession, your dentist might suggest scaling and root planing. This is a two-part procedure done by your dentist. Firstly, all the plaque and hardened tartar above and below the gum line (where the gum meets the tooth) is removed.
Can a dentist reverse receding gums?
Unfortunately, gum recession cannot be reversed. The tissue will not grow back but there are specific steps to take to keep the recession from getting worse. Successful treatment ultimately depends on how your gum recession originated in the first place.
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.
What is the procedure to fill gums?
Soft tissue grafts. This procedure reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded. Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. Guided tissue regeneration.
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 ...
Why are gums placed around teeth?
The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby decreasing the areas where harmful bacteria can grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease. Bone grafts.
Can a periodontist perform a dental procedure?
Your dentist or periodontist is able to perform most procedures in their office. The time needed to perform the procedure, your degree of discomfort, and time needed to heal will vary from patient to patient depending on the type and extent of the procedure and your overall health.
How is gum disease treated?
Gum (periodontal) diseases are treated in a variety of ways depending on the stage of disease, how you may have responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health. After a thorough periodontal evaluation, recommendations for treatment range from non-surgical therapies to surgical procedures.
How to treat gum disease?
What are non-surgical treatments for gum disease? 1 Professional dental cleaning: During a typical checkup, your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar that build up and harden on the tooth surface. (Plaque is the ‘film' that covers teeth, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Tartar is the hard, yellowish deep deposit on teeth,) When plaque and tartar reach this level of build up, they can only be removed with professional cleaning. Cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line of all your teeth. If you have some signs of gum disease, your dentist may recommend professional dental cleaning more than twice a year. 2 Scaling and root planing: This is a deep-cleaning, non-surgical procedure that is done under local anesthesia. Hardened plaque and tartar (also called calculus) are scraped away (scaling) from above and below the gum line. Also, any rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. 3 Customized: Sometimes control of plaque and inflammation of gum tissue can be done without surgery. Antibiotics, with products like minocycline HCl (Arrestin®) or chlorhexidine (PerioChip®), can be placed in the mouth in the space between the gums and teeth (the periodontal pocket).
Why are the gums placed around the tooth?
The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. Reducing the space between the gum and tooth also limits the areas where harmful bacteria can grow.
What is the name of the antibiotic that is used to treat gingivitis?
Chlorhexidine (Peridex®, PerioChip®, PerioGard® and other over-the-counter trade names) is an antibiotic used to control plaque and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) in the mouth or in periodontal pockets (the space between the gums and teeth).
Can a dentist perform a periodontal procedure?
Your dentist or periodontist can perform most procedures in the office. The time needed to perform the procedures, your degree of discomfort, and time needed to heal vary from patient to patient. Other factors are the type and extent of the procedure and your overall health.
Can you smooth out a rough spot on your gums?
Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Customized: Sometimes control of plaque and inflammation of gum tissue can be done without surgery.
What is gum therapy?
Although gum therapy might sound like something you get after an especially sticky or sugary meal; it’s actually a professional procedure performed by a dental hygienist. Here’s what goes into gum therapy, along with information on why you might need it.
What is the treatment for gum disease?
Also known as scaling and root planing or a deep cleaning, gum therapy treats the area beneath the gumline when signs of gum disease are present. According to the American Dental Association, gum disease commonly affects patients who don’t do a good enough job eliminating plaque from their teeth.
How to prevent gum disease after gum therapy?
After your gum therapy cleaning, it’s important to prevent recurrence by brushing your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush or a soft-bristled toothbrush. You will also want to floss regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. You should also avoid tobacco products and limit your use of alcohol. It’s important to maintain regular checkups with your dentist to keep your teeth clean and to watch for potential signs of new pocket formation. This is especially important since early intervention can help you avoid having to get more gum therapy in the future.
Why is it important to have regular checkups with your dentist?
It’s important to maintain regular checkups with your dentist to keep your teeth clean and to watch for potential signs of new pocket formation. This is especially important since early intervention can help you avoid having to get more gum therapy in the future.
What is the procedure for deep cleaning?
The hygienist will perform the deep cleaning using manual scaling tools and/or electric or ultrasonic instruments. The hygienist will also perform a root planing procedure, which involves smoothing out your teeth roots to encourage your gums to reaffix to your teeth.
Can periodontal disease cause bone loss?
If left untreated, these pockets can lead to progressive periodontal disease that can ultimately cause tooth and bone loss. If minor gum disease is caught in time, a professional teeth cleaning may be enough to keep it from damaging structures below the gum line.
What is the procedure called when you have gum disease?
If you’ve developed gum disease severe enough to require surgery, your dentist may discuss some of these types of gum surgery as ways to treat the problem: Pocket reduction (also known as gingival flap surgery) In this procedure, your surgeon folds back the gums and removes bacteria. The periodontist (gum specialist) secures ...
How to treat gum disease?
If you’ve developed gum disease severe enough to require surgery, your dentist may discuss some of these types of gum surgery as ways to treat the problem: 1 Pocket reduction (also known as gingival flap surgery)#N#In this procedure, your surgeon folds back the gums and removes bacteria. The periodontist (gum specialist) secures the gum tissue against your teeth, rather than allowing it to grow back on its own. 2 Regeneration#N#In this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gums and removes disease-causing bacteria, then inserts bone grafts, membranes, or tissue-stimulating proteins (or any combination of the three) to encourage your gum tissues to regenerate and fit snugly around the teeth again. 3 Crown lengthening#N#In this procedure, your periodontist removes an overgrowth of gum tissue from your teeth, making your teeth appear longer. This procedure is used for cosmetic effects as well as to treat gum disease. 4 Soft tissue graft#N#In this procedure, your periodontist takes sample tissue from elsewhere in your mouth and attaches it to your gums to replace gum tissue that has receded or has been removed due to gum disease. This procedure is often used for cosmetic purposes as well as to treat gum disease because it covers areas where the root is becoming exposed and improves the appearance of the teeth.
What is the procedure to get gums back?
Regeneration. In this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gums and removes disease-causing bacteria, then inserts bone grafts, membranes, or tissue-stimulating proteins (or any combination of the three) to encourage your gum tissues to regenerate and fit snugly around the teeth again. Crown lengthening.
What does a periodontist do?
Also, your periodontist (or dental hygienist) will clean your teeth. You should expect your periodontist to ask about any medications and chronic health conditions that may impact the surgery. During the surgery. The surgeon folds the gums back to form a flap in order to access the tissue below the gums. The infected tissue below and between the ...
What is the procedure to remove plaque and bacteria from the gum line?
The infected tissue below and between the teeth is removed, and the surgeon then follows with tooth scaling and root planing to remove plaque and bacteria below the gum line. The scaling and planing will also smooth rough spots on the tooth roots that could promote recurrence of the gum disease. After the surgery.
How long does it take for gums to heal after gum surgery?
The stitches may be dissolvable, or you may have to have them removed when you return for a surgery follow-up visit in seven to 10 days. The surgeon may also place a special surgical dressing called a periodontal pack, over the affected area.
What kind of doctor do you see for gum surgery?
If a thorough examination by your dental professional determines that you need gum surgery, you will probably be referred to a periodontist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.
How to treat a swollen gum?
avoiding flossing or brushing at the treatment site. using a special mouthwash which controls plaque build up. taking antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. avoiding strenuous exercise. avoiding foods that are hard to eat. eating soft, cool foods, for example, ice cream, pasta, eggs, yogurt, and soft cheese.
What is the procedure to remove gum tissue from the gum around the tooth?
Pedicle (lateral) grafts. This is the preferred method for people who have lots of gum tissue growing near the exposed tooth. In this procedure the periodontist: grafts tissue from the gum around or near the tooth requiring treatment. only partially cuts away this tissue, keeping one edge attached.
What is gum graft surgery?
Gum graft surgery is a procedure that helps to restore gums that have worn down, can help protect teeth, and improve the appearance of a person’s smile. There are different types of gum graft surgery available. All are relatively straightforward procedures with minimal risk of any complications.
What is gum graft?
Takeaway. A gum graft is a type of dental surgery performed to correct the effects of gum recession. It is a quick and relatively simple surgery in which a periodontist removes healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and uses it to build the gum back up where it has receded. Gum recession occurs when gum tissue wears away, ...
How to remove tissue from the roof of the mouth?
removes tissue from the roof of the mouth by making a flap and taking tissue from underneath the top layer. stitches the tissue onto the existing gum tissue to cover the exposed tooth root. stitches the flap on the roof of the mouth from where they took the tissue.
Why do people get gum grafts?
Some people choose to have a gum graft for cosmetic reasons, such as to have a better smile; while for others, a gum graft is necessary to protect the exposed tooth from damage and repair any damage already done .
How long does it take for a periodontist to heal?
If they remove the tissue from the roof of the mouth a person may feel pain for a few days. The healing process is often quick, taking 1 to 2 weeks for the mouth to heal fully but may take longer.
What is gum grafting?
Gum grafting. Gum grafting is a surgical option that can prevent bone loss and gum recession from progressing. It can also help to protect roots that have been exposed to infection from decay. There are three types of gum graft surgery: connective tissue graft, free gingival graft, and pedicle (lateral) grafts.
What to do if you need a periodontist?
If you find yourself in need of a periodontist, you can call and ask your local dentist's office for a referral to a local gum specialist. You can also check with your local health departments about affordable or and discounted dental services near you.
What are the treatments for tooth decay?
These treatments can include root canal, gum grafting, teeth scaling, jawbone grafting, and dental implants.
How do you know if you have a periodontal infection?
You may need to find a periodontist near you if your dentist refers you to one or if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: Bleeding while brushing your teeth or eating – Unexplained bleeding while eating and brushing point to a deeper problem. This is one of the most common symptoms of a periodontal infection.
Why do dentists do scaling?
Teeth scaling. Teeth scaling is a common cleaning procedure. Most dentists use this treatment in routine visits in order to help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Teeth scaling removes tartar buildup and helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
What is a dental probe?
Dental probes can measure pocket depth and help diagnose gum disease. A thorough review of your dental and medical history that may be contributing to your symptoms. An examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth to find signs of plaque and inflammation, indicating infection.
Why do you need a root removal?
A root removal procedure is usually necessary if you have untreated tooth decay, faulty crowns or fillings, a broken tooth, have had repeated dental work on the tooth, or there is physical trauma. Once the root system has been treated, the tooth will be filled in to preserve the rest of the tooth.
What is the role of a periodontist?
But did you know there's a whole specialty related to the care of the structures surrounding your teeth? Periodontists study and treat conditions that affect the teeth's stability. The bone, gum tissue, and ligaments in your mouth all play vital roles in holding your teeth in place, so they must be protected. When you get gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, it can advance to a stage that requires surgery. That's where periodontists come in! They also complete root planing and scaling procedures and manage dental implants, as noted by the American Academy of Periodontology.
What is an oral surgeon?
Oral surgeons are tooth extraction specialists. While this may not be your favorite specialist to visit, they perform vital functions! They focus on implants and facial surgeries, devise treatment plans, and create prostheses for patients who lose parts of their mouth, head, neck, or jaw.
What is the role of dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists are often your first line of defense for fighting tooth decay and gum disease! They remove plaque (biofilm) at your bi-annual appointments and provide the essential knowledge of teaching you how to take care of your oral care at home. They offer a wide range of services that vary from state to state.
What is the primary provider for dental care?
Your general dentist and dental hygienist are the primary care providers for your basic dental needs. These include bi-annual checkups and routine cleanings. But, sometimes, you need specific dental treatments that require the attention of a specialist.
What is pediatric dentist?
Pediatric Dentists. These dentists research, advocate for and promote oral health for children. They specialize in working with children and teens below 18 and people with special needs. They're like general dentists in that they provide the same type of services, like checkups and cleanings, but for kids.
What doctor can diagnose a lump in the jaw?
For example, if your general dental finds a lump or bump in your mouth or jaw, they may refer you to an oral pathologist. The pathologist will then meet with you for an assessment and further testing. Oral radiologists interpret dental X-rays to diagnose specific head and neck conditions.
What is periodontal disease?
The bone, gum tissue, and ligaments in your mouth all play vital roles in holding your teeth in place, so they must be protected. When you get gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, it can advance to a stage that requires surgery.
