Bridgeton, MO

Periodontal Treatment Bridgeton, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Bridgeton, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is a condition that affects many Americans. While cases can range from mild discomfort 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 are painful, or you are experiencing more serious issues like significant gaps between your teeth and gums, it is time to seek periodontal treatment in Bridgeton, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats everyone who walks through our doors as family to they feel comfortable when getting the care they need. For periodontal treatment in Bridgeton, MO, or just a regular cleaning with a friendly dentist, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment online.

Two Types of Gum Disease | Bridgeton, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data compiled by the CDC, periodontal disease affects 47.2% of adults older than 30, and 70.1% of adults over 65 have it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two distinct stages: gingivitis in its mild form, and periodontitis if it’s not treated:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque builds up on your teeth and where your teeth meet your gums. If you do not follow 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. 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, leading to the gum disease known as gingivitis. You may have gingivitis if you experience:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Tender gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
   • Blood on your toothbrush

   If you are dealing with even one of those warning signs, you need to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could result in major dental problems down the line.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a significant gum disease that occurs when the bacteria which tartar collects and protects spreads deeper into your gums. This creates gaps between your teeth and gums, called periodontal pockets, which becomes a safe have for more bacteria to collect and grow. If still left untreated, periodontitis can damage surrounding tissue, including bone and tooth loss. Symptoms include:
   • Purplish 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 are worried you might have periodontitis, reach out to a Bridgeton, MO dentist for periodontal treatment ASAP, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental procedures you are losing teeth or about to lose a tooth.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

For the most part, we can prevent gingivitis and other periodontal conditions ourselves. 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
• Dry mouth
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Diseases that decrease immunity
• Specific medications
• DNA
• 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 consistent cleanings and polishings go a long way in preventing gum disease by removing harmful bacteria and plaque that cause it. Biannual dental examinations at a professional dentist office will will diagnose and treat gingivitis before it develops into periodontitis.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Bridgeton, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents gingivitis and periodontitis, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has developed, there are a variety of treatment options your Bridgeton, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:

• Antibiotics — In gum disease’s early stages, antibiotics are usually a first recourse for non-invasive procedures. Antibiotics can be given with antiseptics applied on your periodontal pockets or antiseptic mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks most strongly to the hardest spots of the enamel on 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 target and remove diseased tissue and kill germs while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Once the harmful tissue and bacteria is gone, your Bridgeton, 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, a procedure that removes damages tissue and encloses the gum back around the tooth. Other surgeries such as soft tissue grafts from your palate to replace diseased tissue, or a bone graft if the bone at the root of your teeth has been destroyed.
• Other treatment options — Other treatment options 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 Bridgeton, MO dentist may also use a topical gel on damaged roots 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 implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.

Our lead dentist Dr. Joseph Cutrona was met with substantial dental problems while pursuing his residency at the University of Michigan. This means he is capable of treating anything from mild gingivitis to significant bone loss in his periodontal treatment in Bridgeton, MO. We are especially interested in patients are nervous about having dental work done. If you have serious gum disease partially caused by anxiety sitting in the dentist’s chair, we’ll ensure you feel calm, confident, and comfortable so you can get back to optimum dental health.

See what other services we offer in Bridgeton, 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

Bridgeton, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment to relieve irritation and prevent further buildup, or need to completely restore your smile, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, empathetic, and expert Bridgeton, 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 basic tasks comfortable. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Bridgeton, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.