Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the gums surrounding your teeth. Gum disease is one of the top reasons for tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease can have subtle symptoms at first, many patients do not know they have the disease. During each regular checkup, your dentist will check for signs of gum disease by measuring the space between your teeth and gums. We provide periodontal disease treatment at Fusion Dental in Killeen, Harker Heights, Waco, and Bellmead, TX.
Periodontal disease treatment is one of the restorative dentistry treatments we provide to new and existing patients in our Waco Dental Office. Treating gum disease can prevent problems like gum recession and tooth loss.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can form on the teeth and gums. Proper flossing, brushing, and regular dental checkups can help remove this bacteria. If the plaque is not removed, it will continue to build up and create toxins that can damage the gums.
Gum disease forms just below the gum line and creates small pockets that separate the gums from the teeth. The stages of gum disease include:
- Gingivitis: Gum inflammation is the precursor to gum disease. You experience red, swollen, and bleeding gums when you develop gingivitis. Gum inflammation is treatable at this stage. We can usually treat gingivitis with routine cleanings and daily brushing and flossing.
- Mild Periodontitis: If left untreated, gingivitis will advance into periodontitis. In the early stages of gum disease, you can experience small gum pockets as the teeth pull away from the gums. Routine scaling and root planing can help manage your gum infection.
- Moderate Periodontitis: As gum disease progresses, bacteria spread beneath teeth gums, affecting your tooth roots. If you have moderate gum disease, you can encounter larger gum pockets, sensitive teeth, and bad breath. We may consider non-surgical and surgical gum treatments based on your specific symptoms.
- Advanced Periodontitis: This is the final stage of gum disease. It can cause loose teeth and irreversible gum and bone damage. Surgery is the best treatment for the most advanced stages of gum disease.
Gum Disease Symptoms and Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing gum disease, including:
- Smoking or using chewing tobacco
- Diabetes
- Certain types of medication (steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives)
- Bridges that no longer fit properly
- Crooked teeth
- Old dental fillings
- Pregnancy
While you can have periodontal disease and not know it, some symptoms can include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Loose permanent teeth
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Bellmead, TX
Treatments for gum disease can vary depending on the severity of each case. Typical gum disease treatments include:
Non-Surgical Treatments
The first line of defense against gum disease is a unique type of cleaning called “scaling and root planing.” In this procedure, an ultrasonic cleaning device removes plaque and tartar from your teeth where regular cleaning devices can’t reach: under the gum line, on the tooth, and around the root.
Then, we smooth (plane) the rough surface of the tooth and the root. This provides a healthy, clean surface that makes it easier for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth.
If you address your gum disease before it becomes severe, scaling and root planing may be the only treatment you need. However, as with any dental procedure, after-care is vital.
There are multiple things you can do to keep your teeth in good shape and resist future occurrences of gum disease:
- Brush and floss daily
- Eat a healthy diet
- Avoid tobacco use
- Have regular dental checkups
Even after a successful scaling and root planing, you can develop gum disease again if you don’t attend to your teeth properly.
Periodontal Surgery
We will recommend surgery if we cannot repair the tissue or bone surrounding your teeth with non-surgical treatment. Several surgical procedures are available to prevent severe damage and restore a healthy smile.
Our office will recommend the procedure best suited to the condition of your teeth and gums. Following is a list of common types of periodontal surgery:
Pocket Depth Reduction
In a healthy mouth, the teeth are firmly surrounded by gum tissue and securely supported by the jaw bones. Periodontal disease damages these tissues and bones, leaving open spaces around the teeth that we call pockets.
The larger these pockets are, the easier bacteria can collect inside them, leading to more damage over time. Eventually, the supportive structure degrades, so the tooth either falls out or requires removal.
We fold back the gum tissue during pocket reduction procedures (or “flap surgery”). Then, we remove the bacteria hiding underneath and the hardened plaque and tartar. We may also remove any tissue that is too damaged to survive.
To complete this treatment, we sew the healthy tissue back into place. Now that the tooth and root are free of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, and the pockets have been reduced, the gums can reattach to the teeth.
Tissue Regeneration
We can restore lost bone and tissue with tissue regeneration. During this process, we fold the gum tissue and remove the bacteria, plaque, and tartar.
Depending on your situation, we may perform a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth. We may also apply a special protein that stimulates tissue growth to repair the areas destroyed by the disease.
Soft-Tissue Grafting
Gum recession (also called gingival recession) is a common symptom of gum disease. As the gums recede, more of the roots are revealed. This can make teeth appear longer and create sensitivity to hot or cold liquids or food. It also exposes the tooth to increased damage from gum disease. As a result, plaque and tartar attack the surface of the tooth and the root.
During a soft-tissue graft, tissue from the top of your mouth or another source is sewn to the gum area. This covers the tooth roots and restores the gum line to its original, healthy location. We can also provide this procedure for cosmetic reasons.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations help maintain your oral health. You don’t have to lose teeth to gum disease. Practicing good oral hygiene at home can significantly reduce your chances of getting gum disease. Remember to brush, floss, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits. Thorough cleaning can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
If you notice gum problems, call Fusion Dental today. We offer periodontal disease treatment in Harker Heights, Waco, Killeen, and Bellmead, TX. Please let us know if you have questions about gum disease treatment at any of our locations.