Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gums, which in its most severe stages, can attack the jaw bone and cause tooth loss. Contrary to popular belief, gum disease is an extremely common dental condition, so much so, that most individuals will require some form of gum disease treatment at some stage of their life.
Fortunately, our professional dental team at Prime Dentistry in North-East Philadelphia offers a variety of periodontal treatments that help ensure the health and wellbeing of your gums and consequently other soft and hard tissues of your mouth.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF GUM DISEASE?
Our dental team at Prime Dentistry will have you know that gum disease comes in two major stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is characterized by the initial inflammation of the gums that manifest as bleeding, reddening, swelling, and tender gums. The good news is that if caught early, gum disease is completely reversible.
Unfortunately for many, easy symptoms of gum disease are often swept under the carpet, and without proper care and attention, the disease quickly progresses into its later stages. Periodontitis occurs when the infection is so widespread that it attacks the jawbone and surrounding tissues. You may eventually even lose your teeth if proper dental care is not given.
WHAT ARE SOME PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS THAT WE OFFER?
Gum health is one of the most significant, but easily neglectable pillars of overall holistic wellbeing. At Prime Dentistry, we make sure that your oral health is always taken care of by providing you with an array of brilliant periodontal treatments, depending on your unique gum needs.
- Professional cleaning
In the early stages of periodontal disease, a single session of professional cleaning from our dental team is enough to ensure proper recovery and a better prognosis. We recommend you schedule an appointment with us for a professional cleaning every six months to guarantee superior gingival and oral health.
- Scaling and root planing
In cases where your gum disease has progressed beyond the realm of gingivitis, the first step in the treatment process of your periodontal disease involves scaling and root planing. Plaque accumulation is the primary cause of gum disease. Our dental team begins by removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your tooth and below the gum line.
Then, the root surfaces of your teeth are smoothened, or planed to allow the gingival tissue to heal better and reattach to the teeth. Our professionals may recommend certain medications to help control infection and aid in healing.
- Periodontal laser therapy
Periodontal laser treatment is a procedure used to access and remove inflamed gum tissue around your tooth’s root by means of a laser. Once the inflamed or infected tissue is excavated, our dental team proceeds to remove the tartar and plaque accumulated below and around your gum line. Following laser therapy, your mouth will require some time to properly heal and regenerate.
- Periodontal surgery
In cases where the gum disease has advanced to its later stages, scaling and root planing may not be enough to terminate the spread of infection. If your periodontal pockets do not heal as expected even after scaling and root planing, gum surgery may be needed. In our dental clinic in Philadelphia, our experienced dental surgeons make it possible for your acutely infected gums to heal and your pockets to shrink all with the help of periodontal surgery.
- Gingival grafting procedure for the treatment of receding gums
Gum disease can ultimately result in the inflammation of gums and the pulling back of them, a condition known as gum recession, whereby gums seem to have shortened. In gum grafts, our periodontist will first remove a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth or any nearby healthy gum tissue and attach it to the area where your gums have worn away.
- Osseous bone surgery
Another common symptom of advanced gum disease is the formation of deep gingival pockets that lodge food debris and promote further infection. Osseous surgery is conducted in order to eliminate these gum pockets by trimming away the infected gum tissue and diseased bone. Our dental professional will make a small incision along your gum line and fold back your gums to remove the bacteria and smooth down areas where the bone is damaged.
- Crown lengthening
Crown lengthening is a dental procedure whereby excess gum tissue is removed to help get rid of a gummy smile. A person with a gummy smile typically appears to have short unsightly teeth. Our dental professionals help glorify your smile by lengthening your crown!
If you’re experiencing bleeding or reddening gums, it may be time to come in for an oral checkup. Our professional dental team at Prime Dentistry in North-East Philadelphia strives to deliver the most reliable periodontal treatments to all our patients. Contact us today and save your mouth from the clutches of gum disease. Let your gums breathe!
