Hanley Hills, MO

Periodontal Treatment Hanley Hills, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Hanley Hills, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is is a common, yet serious condition. While cases can range from mild irritation to painful dental issues, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If you notice any redness, daily activities like brushing your teeth are painful, or you are experiencing more serious issues like loose teeth, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in Hanley Hills, 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 Hanley Hills, MO, or just a standard cleaning with a friendly dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Two Types of Periodontal Disease | Hanley Hills, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the CDC, periodontal disease affects just under half of adults over 30, and 70.1% of adults over 65 have it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two different stages: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if you don’t seek treatment in a timely fashion:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque that contains bacteria and harmful toxins builds up. If you do not practice good oral health like brushing and flossing, it becomes tartar which collects and protects more bacteria. If the tartar is not removed, the gingiva, or the the tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth, it causes irritation, redness, and swelling, the condition known as gingivitis. You may have gingivitis if you notice:
   • Redness
   • Inflammation
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sensitive gums
   • Painful chewing
   • 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 significant 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 cause tooth loss and even damage to your jaw bone. Symptoms include:
   • Deep red gums
   • Gums that bleed easily
   • Gaps between your teeth and gums
   • Pus between your teeth and gums
   • Wobbly teeth
   • Teeth falling out
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   At the first sign of periodontitis, find a qualified Hanley Hills, MO dentist for periodontal treatment as soon as possible, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental services 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 all practice good oral health that will lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Lack of regular professional dental care
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Dry mouth
• Insufficient nutrition
• Diseases that decrease immunity
• Specific medications
• DNA
• 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 twice yearly cleanings and polishings will usually not allow gingivitis to occur. Twice yearly dental examinations at a professional dental office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Hanley Hills, MO

While prevention and care often stave off periodontal conditions, sometimes it’s too little too late. Once gum disease has developed, your Hanley Hills, MO dentist may implement one or more of the following treatments:

• Antibiotics — In gum disease’s early stages, antibiotics are often the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be applied with antiseptics applied on your periodontal pockets or medicated mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres most strongly to the rough spots of 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, preventing further buildup.
• 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 Hanley Hills, MO dentist will use the laser again to reduce the gap between your teeth and gums.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Also called 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 damaged gums, or a bone graft to restore lost bone.
• Other methods — 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 to allow it to grow back naturally. Your Hanley Hills, MO dentist may also use a topical gel on a diseased tooth root that also encourages healthy tissue regeneration.
• Dental implants — If part of your periodontal treatment includes replacing lost teeth, the Plaza Dental Center team can insert dental implants to permanently replace those teeth. Your Hanley Hills, 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 was met with substantial dental problems early on in his dental education. This means he can help Hanley Hills, MO residents with mild to severe dental problems. Nervous 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 back to optimum dental health.

See what other services we offer in Hanley Hills, 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

Hanley Hills, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re seeking periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, empathetic, and expert Hanley Hills, 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 pain-free. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Hanley Hills, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.