Surgical Treatment Options (Gingivectomy, Pocket Reduction Surgery, Bone Grafting) Like it or not, the root cause of most gum disease is simple: poor oral hygiene. Your parents were right when they said you can get cavities if you are not brushing and flossing regularly. It is the same for developing periodontal disease. Those patients who fail to brush and floss with regularity and do not go to regular professional cleanings can compromise their oral health in a way that may be permanent. If it sounds extreme that is because it is.The naturally occurring bacteria we all have in our mouths can become problematic when not properly cleaned. These bacteria will rapidly transform into tartar and eventually plaque. Without properly removing these bacteria, patients are simply setting themselves up for costly procedures and potential pain and discomfort. Come see us today for a cleaning or to discuss your options. Our location is Periodontal Health Professionals. Come see us at your earliest convenience. Proper AssessmentFor some patients, it is perfectly natural for them to look in their mouths while they are brushing and flossing while for others it is not. These self-examinations are very important and can lead to the early detection of many problems. Patients should make note of any gum discoloration, odd places on the tongue or roof of the mouth, or any odd discharge from the gumline. Once noted, we can provide a professional examination identifying any concerning anomalies. This can be done during a professional examination at which time x-rays can be employed to determine if any boss loss has occurred. Non-Surgical Treatments for Gum DiseaseWhile it is true that in many cases, surgical intervention is necessary to treat periodontal disease, there are also a number of non-surgical treatments which can be employed before moving to the more invasive ones. The first is the use of antibiotics. Due to the fact gum disease is bacterial in nature, the use of antibiotics can be utilized in the earliest stages. This may come in either an oral medication or as a topical substance to be applied to the affected area. Scaling is another widely used non-surgical technique which is the cleaning of the tooth both above and below the gumline. It scrapes the root to remove bacteria, tartar, and plaque. Another procedure, known as planing, smooths out the uneven sections of the tooth below the gumline to make it more difficult for bacteria to find purchase. Surgical Treatments for Gum DiseaseAvailable surgical options can treat the symptoms and slow the overall progress of this devastating oral disease. One of the simplest and least invasive is a gingivectomy. This involves the removal of a diseased portion of gum tissue. Another option is pocket reduction surgery which shrinks the size of the pockets where the gums have pulled away from the base of the teeth. This involves folding the gum tissue away from the teeth so a deeper cleaning procedure can occur. For those patients struggling with what to do about possible gum disease treatment, please come to see us at Periodontal Health Professionals. We are available to provide you with an assessment or answers to your questions. Please call us at (856) 702-4340. |
