Periodontal Treatment Glendale, MO
Periodontal Treatment in Glendale, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is a common condition. While cases can range from mild swelling to tooth and bone loss, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If you notice your gums receding, basic tasks like eating lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like loose teeth, it is time to seek periodontal treatment in Glendale, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats every patient as family to ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in Glendale, 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.
Stages of Gum Disease | Glendale, MO Periodontal Treatment
According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under half of adults over 30 have some form of gum disease, and almost three-quarters of adults over 65 have it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two distinct categories: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if it’s not treated:
- Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque builds up on your teeth and where your teeth meet your gums. 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. 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, leading to the gum disease known as gingivitis. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Chronic bad breath
- Receding gums
- Tender gums
- Painful chewing
- New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Blood on your toothbrush
If you are dealing with even one of those indicators, you need to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could lead to major dental problems in the future.
- Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced dental problem that occurs when gingivitis is not treated. 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 destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Symptoms include:
- Purplish gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Gaps between your teeth and gums
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Wobbly teeth
- Tooth loss
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
If you are worried you might have periodontitis, find a qualified Glendale, MO dentist for periodontal treatment as soon as possible, and schedule an appointment for emergency dental services if a tooth is loose or falls out.
Periodontitis Risk Factors
The development of gingivitis and other periodontal disease is not random. We can all practice good oral health that will lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:
- Poor oral care habits
- Not going to biannual dental cleanings
- Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
- Old age
- Dry mouth
- Poor nutrition
- Diseases that compromise immunity
- Certain medications
- DNA
- Certain viral or fungal infections
- Stress
- Bruxism
While some risk factors are beyond our control, basic dental health habits such as brushing and flossing and twice yearly cleanings and polishings stop the development of gum disease. Twice yearly dental examinations at a professional dentist office will will diagnose and treat gingivitis before it develops into periodontitis.
Periodontal Treatment Methods in Glendale, MO
While prevention and care usually prevents gingivitis and periodontitis, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has begins, there are a variety of treatment options your Glendale, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:
- Antibiotics — When prevention fails, antibiotics are usually the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be given with topical gels applied on your periodontal pockets or antiseptic mouthwash.
- Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks the most to tooth roots. 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, promoting proper healing.
- LANAP or Laser Assisted Regeneration — LANAP is a dental technology which uses a laser to to single out and remove damaged tissue and germs. After exploding and removing damaged tissue, your Glendale, MO dentist will use the laser again to reduce the gap between your teeth and gums.
- Maxillofacial surgery — Also called oral surgery, this can 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 to restore lost bone.
- Other treatment options — Other treatment options may be guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone affected by periodontal disease. Your Glendale, MO dentist may also use a special gel on damaged roots 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 Glendale, 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 substantial dental problems early on in his dental education. This means he can help Glendale, 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 Glendale, 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
Glendale, 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 Glendale, MO team will get you smiling as you leave our office as soon as humanly possible. We want you to have a radiant smile and a healthy mouth that makes basic tasks pain-free. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Glendale, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.