Navigating Gum Disease Treatments

Gum disease, once diagnosed, offers several treatment pathways depending on the severity and specifics of your condition. We initiate treatments with the least invasive methods, primarily non-surgical. However, severe cases might necessitate surgical intervention.

Exploring Non-surgical Interventions

The foremost protective measure against gum disease is a specialized cleaning process termed “scaling and root planing.” This technique leverages ultrasonic cleaning tools to eradicate plaque and tartar from regions standard cleaning misses: beneath the gum line, on the tooth surface, and encircling the root. Subsequently, the tooth’s uneven surface and the root are smoothened (planed), facilitating the gum tissue’s reattachment to the tooth.

Addressing gum disease in its nascent stages often means that scaling and root planing could be the singular required treatment. But post-treatment care remains crucial. Maintaining healthy teeth and preventing gum disease recurrence necessitates daily brushing and flossing, a nutritious diet, eschewing tobacco, and routine dental visits. Even post a successful procedure, neglecting proper oral care can lead to gum disease’s resurgence.

Diving into Surgical Treatment Alternatives

For cases where the bone or tissue encasing your teeth is irreparably harmed, multiple surgical solutions are at hand to prevent extensive damage and rejuvenate your smile. We’ll advise the most fitting procedure based on your teeth and gum health. Here are prevalent periodontal surgeries:

  • Pocket Depth Reduction: In an unaffected mouth, teeth are enveloped by gum tissue and anchored sturdily by jawbones. Periodontal disease compromises these components, creating pockets or spaces around teeth. These enlarging pockets become breeding grounds for bacteria, accelerating damage. If unchecked, the foundational structure deteriorates till the tooth is lost or extracted. During the pocket reduction process (or “flap surgery”), we pull back the gum tissue, eradicate underlying bacteria and accumulated plaque, and tartar. Damaged tissues might also be removed. The cleansed area is then sutured back, allowing the gums to reattach.

  • Regeneration: Severe gum disease can lead to the loss of supporting bone and tissue. Regeneration procedures can revitalize these regions. Here, we retract the gum tissue, remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Depending on the extent of damage, a bone graft might be employed to stimulate bone regeneration, or specific proteins might be applied to encourage tissue growth.

  • Soft-Tissue Graft: Gum recession, often resulting from gum disease, exposes more of the tooth roots. This not only alters the tooth’s appearance, making it seem elongated but also elevates sensitivity to temperature variations. Exposed roots are susceptible to enhanced gum disease impacts. In a soft-tissue graft, tissue (sourced from the mouth’s roof or elsewhere) is stitched to the gum area, shielding the roots and reinstating the gum line to its original position. This procedure also caters to aesthetic enhancements.