Central West End, MO

Periodontal Treatment Central West End, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Central West End, MO. Periodontal disease, medically referred to as gum disease, is a condition that affects many Americans. While it can cause anything from mild swelling to tooth and bone loss, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If you notice gums becoming more tender, basic activities like eating are painful, or you are experiencing more serious issues like significant gaps between your teeth and gums, you need periodontal treatment in Central West End, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats everyone who walks through our doors as if they were part of our family in order to break down barriers that prevent many people from getting the dental care they need. For periodontal treatment in Central West End, 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 Gum Disease | Central West End, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to the CDC, just under half of adults older than 30 have some form of gum disease, and almost three-quarters of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are classified in two distinct categories: gingivitis in its mild form, and periodontitis if the disease is allowed to progress:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis is a mild and common form of periodontal disease that is the result of plaque building up on your teeth. If the plaque is not removed through proper oral health care, it becomes tartar which can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. As more and more tartar builds up, the gingiva, or the part of the gums at the base of the teeth, it causes inflammation, the condition known as gingivitis. Warning signs include:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sensitive gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Blood on your toothbrush

   If you are dealing with any of the above symptoms, it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could lead to serious dental problems in the future.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is allowed to persist. 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:
   • Deep red gums
   • Gums that bleed easily
   • Gaps between your teeth and gums
   • Pus between your teeth and gums
   • Loose teeth
   • Tooth loss
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   At the first sign of periodontitis, find a qualified Central West End, MO dentist for periodontal treatment as soon as possible, and schedule an appointment for emergency dental procedures if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

The development of gingivitis and other periodontal disease is not arbitrary. We can all practice good oral health that will lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Not going to biannual dental examinations
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Old age
• Dry mouth
• Insufficient nutrition
• Conditions that compromise immunity
• Specific medications
• Genetics
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Bruxism

While some risk factors are beyond our control, simple and practical steps such as brushing and flossing and biannually cleanings and polishings go a long way in preventing gum disease by removing harmful bacteria and plaque that cause it. Regular dental examinations at a professional dental office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Central West End, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents periodontal conditions, sometimes it’s too little too late. Once gum disease has developed, your Central West End, MO dentist may implement one or more of the following treatment methods:

• Antibiotics — When prevention fails, antibiotics are often the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be applied with antiseptics applied where your teeth and gums or antiseptic mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks most strongly to the hardest spots of the enamel on our teeth. Deep scaling refers to a dentist removing plaque and tartar from the pockets between the teeth and gums 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, 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. After exploding and removing damaged tissue, your Central West End, MO dentist will use the laser again to reduce the gap between your teeth and gums.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Commonly known as oral surgery, some procedures may include osseous surgery, a procedure that removes damages tissue and connects the gingiva 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 encourage the body’s natural healing process. Your Central West End, MO dentist may also implement a topical 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 can insert dental implants to permanently replace those teeth. Your Central West End, 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.

Plaza Dental Center’s Dr. Joseph Cutrona had the unique opportunity to deal with large, complex cases early on in his dental education. This means he has extensive experience with all dental problems and procedures in Central West End, MO. We are especially interested in patients are nervous about having dental work done. If your gingivitis progressed partially because you were wary of the dentist’s chair, we’ll do everything possible to make you feel comfortable so you can get back to optimum dental health.

See what other services we offer in Central West End, 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

Central West End, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re in need of periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers committed, compassionate, and expert Central West End, 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. To make an appointment with the leaders of Central West End, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.