What Is the Treatment for Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease involves the gums becoming inflamed and bleeding. If not adequately treated in time, periodontal disease can cause the gums to separate from the teeth and destroy the gum tissue and bone. Treating periodontal disease as soon as possible is essential in preserving your teeth and oral health in general.This blog discusses treatment options for periodontal disease, including deep cleaning, pocket reduction surgery, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and gum graft surgery.
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Evaluating Your Gum Health
Most people want to be healthy in all aspects of life, and gum health is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile. Healthy gums are typically a light pink color and fit firmly around the teeth. Some people’s gums vary in color; dark pink or brown gums can also be perfectly healthy.
When checking your gum health, it’s important to examine the color and how the gums feel. Swollen gums that feel tender to the touch can be symptoms of periodontal disease. Be on the lookout for any bleeding in the gums, especially after brushing or flossing teeth. Check to see if the gums appear to be receding from and not fitting tightly around the teeth. Perpetual bad breath can also be a warning sign.
If you’re concerned about your gum health, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a periodontist to get a professional evaluation. Dr. Afshin Salamati is an experienced periodontist in Los Angeles who specializes in periodontics and is passionate about helping patients restore healthy gums.
What Are Your Periodontal Disease Treatment Options?
The best treatment option for each patient will vary based on their oral health and what stage of periodontal disease they have. Early stages of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis, may be treated with a simple deep cleaning from your dentist. However, more advanced stages may require more extensive treatment. During a consultation, Dr. Salamati can recommend which options would best suit your unique situation.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
For patients with advanced periodontal disease, pocket reduction surgery can be a great option. This procedure involves lifting the gums from the teeth, allowing Dr. Salamati to remove infected gum tissue, deep cleaning the teeth to remove bacteria, and reshaping the bone before positioning the gums back in place around the teeth.
Regenerative Procedures
Some patients may be good candidates for regenerative procedures, which stimulate gum tissue growth. Regenerative procedures involve removing bacteria from the gums and inserting a resorbable membrane to increase bone and gum tissue growth.
Crown Lengthening
For those who want to eliminate the appearance of a gummy smile, crown lengthening can be performed to create a proportional balance between the teeth and the gums. Small incisions are made to separate the gum from the tooth and a portion of excess tissue and bone is removed.
Gum Graft Surgery
Patients with significant gum receding may be a good fit for gum graft surgery, also known as a gingival graft. This procedure takes a thin piece of healthy gum tissue and moves it to an area with exposed tooth roots. Gum graft surgery is best for those with advanced periodontal disease who are at risk of tooth loss.
Schedule Your Periodontal Disease Treatment Consultation in Los Angeles, CA
To prevent periodontal disease from occurring, be sure to gently brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and attend professional dental cleanings at your dentist biannually (or more frequently if you’ve been advised to do so). If you’re experiencing symptoms of periodontal disease, seek treatment as soon as possible. To learn about your periodontal treatment options or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Salamati in Los Angeles, CA, call (310) 275-1090 or fill out our online message form today.