Gum Disease
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the buildup of plaque below the gum line, leading to inflammation. As the gum tissues become more swollen, they detach from the tooth and form a "pocket" between the tooth and gums. In a domino effect, the pockets encourage further plaque accumulation.
If left untreated the plaque bacteria may spread to into the jawbone area, causing structures to be destroyed. Once a person has periodontal disease they must have more frequent cleanings and treatments to prevent infection.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a plaque and bacteria build-up that happen on your teeth and in your gum line. The result of this build-up is inflamed gums that are tender and bleed when brushing or flossing.
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There is no irreversible damage in the early stages of gingivitis. If left untreated gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. Periodontal disease will lead to bone loss and further damage to your oral health.
Regular dental cleanings every six months will help reduce your risk of gingivitis. Good home hygiene habits are also vital in keeping gingivitis away.
Periodontal Maintenance
Scaling & Root Planing
Dr. Don Kim may recommend scaling and root planing therapy to treat the early stages of periodontal disease.
This treatment is especially effective for reducing periodontal pocket depths and improving the health of your smile. It is a nonsurgical treatment that involves using ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line. We often use Oraqix® needle-free anesthesia for patient comfort during this procedure.
Bone Grafting
This type of surgery is ideal for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease. Our goal is to create a clean environment on and around the tooth to reduce the depths of periodontal pockets. Bone surgery is typically recommended when other treatments have not succeeded. It is very effective at restoring your oral health after gum disease. The procedure involves numbing the area with local anesthesia, lifting away the gum tissue, and smoothing out the surfaces of the teeth and bone.
We can help prevent the progression of gum disease with periodontal maintenance therapy. This therapy is an important addition to the treatment plan of patients who suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance therapy may include re-treating areas of active infection as needed. These treatments take place during your maintenance cleanings scheduled every three to four months. This treatment plan helps ensure you are maintaining optimal oral health after gum disease.
