Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Periodontal Treatment Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is a common condition. While it can cause anything from slight irritation to significant dental issues, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If your gums have become irritated, daily activities like brushing your teeth lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like teeth falling out, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Plaza Dental Center has an amazing team that treats everyone who walks through our doors as family to ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO, or just a regular cleaning with an expert dentist, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Two Types of Periodontal Disease | Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data compiled by the CDC, periodontal disease affects 47.2% of adults older than 30, and 70.1% of seniors have it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two different stages: gingivitis in its mild form, and periodontitis if you don’t seek treatment in a timely fashion:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis is a mild and common form of periodontal disease that is the result of plaque building up on your teeth. If you do not practice good oral health and remove the plaque, it becomes tartar which is a hard calcified deposit that contributes to decay, and can only be removed by a dentist. As more and more tartar builds up, the gingiva, or the the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and holds them in place, it causes irritation, redness, and swelling, signaling the onset of gingivitis. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sensitive gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
   • Blood on your toothbrush

   If you experience even one of those symptoms, it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could lead to serious dental problems down the line.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that occurs when even more tartar and bacteria build up. This creates gaps between your teeth and gums, called periodontal pockets, which becomes a safe have for more bacteria to collect and grow. If you do not immediately seek periodontal therapy, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Symptoms include:
   • Purplish gums
   • Gums that bleed easily
   • Gaps between your teeth and gums
   • Pus in your periodontal pockets
   • Wobbly teeth
   • Tooth loss
   • A change in in your bite marks

   If you are worried you might have periodontitis, find a qualified Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental procedures if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

For the most part, we can prevent gingivitis and other periodontal disease ourselves. We can all practice good oral health that will lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Lack of regular professional dental care
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Old age
• Dry mouth
• Poor nutrition
• Conditions that decrease immunity
• Specific medications
• 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 regular cleanings and polishings go a long way in preventing gum disease by removing harmful bacteria and plaque that cause it. Consistent dental examinations at a professional dental office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:

• Antibiotics — In gingivitis’s early stages, antibiotics are frequently the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be applied with antiseptics applied where your teeth and gums or medicated mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres most strongly to tooth roots. Deep scaling refers to a dentist removing plaque and tartar from the periodontal pocket with a laser or ultrasonic scaler. Scaling can leave the tooth surface rough, so it is usually followed by root planning, which smooths tooth surfaces, preventing further buildup.
• 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO dentist will use the laser again to create a seal around the tooth which allows gum and bone tissue to regenerate.
• 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 stitches your gum back to the tooth. Other surgeries such as soft tissue grafts from your palate to replace diseased gums, or a bone graft if the bone at the root of your teeth has been destroyed.
• Other treatment options — Other methods may be guided tissue regeneration, which places a special fabric between the bone and tooth to prevent diseased tissue from touching the tooth and to allow it to grow back naturally. Your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO dentist may also use a topical gel on a diseased tooth root that stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
• Dental implants — If you’re seeking periodontal treatment because you’ve already lost a tooth, your dentist can insert dental implants to permanently replace those teeth. Your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO dentist will insert a titanium screw into your gums and jaw bone to act as an artificial tooth root, and then cap it with a tooth-colored porcelain crown.

Our lead dentist Dr. Joseph Cutrona had the unique opportunity to deal with large, complex cases while pursuing his residency at the University of Michigan. This means he can help Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO residents with mild to severe dental problems. Anxious patients are of particular concern to us. If your gingivitis progressed partially because you were wary of the dentist’s chair, we’ll ensure you feel calm, confident, and comfortable so you can get the dental care you need.

See what other services we offer in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO by clicking on the links below:

• Dental Emergency
• Gum Contouring
• Broken Tooth Repair
• Invisalign®
• Tooth Pain Relief
• Composite Fillings
• Tooth Pain
• Gingivitis Treatment
• Dentist Near Me

Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers committed, compassionate, and capable Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO team will get you smiling as you walk down the street in no time. Everyone deserves a smile they feel confident with, and a healthy mouth that makes things like chewing and brushing comfortable. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.