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Bel-Nor, MO

Periodontal Treatment Bel-Nor, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Bel-Nor, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is is a common, yet serious condition. While it can cause anything from slight irritation to painful dental issues, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If your gums have become irritated, daily tasks like brushing your teeth lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like loose teeth, it is time to seek periodontal treatment in Bel-Nor, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats every patient as family to they feel comfortable when getting the care they need. For periodontal treatment in Bel-Nor, MO, or just a regular examination with an expert dentist, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment online.

Periodontal Treatment Bel-Nor, MO | Gingivitis Treatment | Dental Office Near Bel-Nor | Plaza Dental Center

Stages of Gum Disease | Bel-Nor, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under half of adults older than 30 suffer from some form of gum disease, and 70.1% of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two distinct stages: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if the disease is allowed to progress:

  1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque that contains bacteria and harmful toxins builds up. If the plaque is not removed through proper oral health care, it becomes tartar which is a hard calcified deposit that contributes to decay, and can only be removed by a dentist. If the tartar is allowed to accumulate, the gingiva, or the the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and holds them in place, it irritates your gums, the condition known as gingivitis. You may have gingivitis if you experience:
    • Redness
    • Inflammation
    • Bad Breath that won’t go away
    • Receding gums
    • Tender gums
    • Pain when eating
    • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
    • Bleeding after brushing your teeth

    If you are dealing with even one of those symptoms, don’t wait to get gingivitis treatment, or it could lead to major dental problems in the future.

  2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a significant gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is allowed to persist. This causes your gums to recede and allows for bacteria to build up closer to your teeth roots. If still left untreated, periodontitis can damage surrounding tissue, including bone and tooth loss. Symptoms include:
    • Deep red gums
    • Gums that bleed easily
    • Gaps between your teeth and gums
    • Pus in your periodontal pockets
    • Loose teeth
    • Tooth loss
    • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

    If you show any symptoms of periodontitis, find a qualified Bel-Nor, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental services if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontal Treatment Bel-Nor, MO | Gingivitis Treatment | Dental Office Near Bel-Nor

Periodontitis Risk Factors

The development of gingivitis and other periodontal disease is not random. We can make a decision to lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Not going to twice yearly dental cleanings
  • Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
  • Old age
  • Xerostomia
  • Vitamin C deficiency
  • Diseases that compromise immunity
  • Certain prescription drugs
  • Genetics
  • Certain viral or fungal infections
  • Stress
  • Bruxism

While we don’t have responsibility over every risk factor, basic dental health habits such as brushing and flossing and biannually cleanings and polishings stop the development of gum disease. Consistent dental examinations at a professional dentist office will catch gingivitis in its early stages.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Bel-Nor, MO

While prevention and care often stave off gingivitis and periodontitis, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has begins, there are a variety of treatment options your Bel-Nor, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:

  • Antibiotics — In gum disease’s early stages, antibiotics are often the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be given with topical gels applied between your teeth and gums or prescription mouthwash.
  • Deep scaling and root planning Tartar sticks most strongly to the rough spots of our teeth. In deep scaling, an ultrasonic scaler is used to scrape below gums and remove tartar. Scaling can leave the tooth surface rough, so it is usually followed by root planning, which smooths tooth surfaces, which prevents further buildup and reduces post-scaling irritation.
  • LANAP or Laser Assisted Regeneration LANAP is a dental technology which uses a laser to to single out and remove damaged tissue and germs. Once the harmful tissue and bacteria is gone, your Bel-Nor, MO dentist will use the laser again to connect gum tissue back to the root.
  • Maxillofacial surgery The technical term for oral surgery, some procedures may include osseous surgery, or pocket reduction surgery, to remove bacteria and diseased gum tissue, smooth any damaged bone, and suture your gums in a way that reduces pocket depth. Your dentist may also perform soft tissue grafts from the roof of your mouth to replace diseased gums, or a bone graft if your roots or jaw bone have been damaged.
  • Other treatment options — Other methods can include guided tissue regeneration, which places a special fabric between the bone and tooth to prevent diseased tissue from touching the tooth and encourage the body’s natural healing process. Your Bel-Nor, MO dentist may also implement a special gel on a diseased tooth root that also encourages healthy tissue regeneration.
  • Dental implants If you’re seeking periodontal treatment because you’ve already lost a tooth, we implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.


Our lead dentist Dr. Joseph Cutrona was met with substantial dental problems early on in his dental education. This means he has extensive experience with all dental problems and procedures in Bel-Nor, MO. Apprehensive patients are of particular concern to us. If you have serious gum disease partially caused by anxiety sitting in the dentist’s chair, we’ll do everything possible to make you feel comfortable so you can get the dental care you need.

See what other services we offer in Bel-Nor, MO by clicking on the links below:

Bel-Nor, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers committed, compassionate, and expert Bel-Nor, MO team will get you smiling as you leave our office in no time. We want you to have a radiant smile and a healthy mouth that makes things like chewing and brushing comfortable. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Bel-Nor, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.