Jennings, MO

Periodontal Treatment Jennings, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Jennings, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is is a common, yet serious condition. While cases can range from slight irritation to significant dental issues, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If you notice your gums receding, daily tasks like eating lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like teeth falling out, it is time to seek periodontal treatment in Jennings, 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 to ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in Jennings, 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 | Jennings, 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 suffer from it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two distinct categories: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if you don’t seek treatment in a timely fashion:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque builds up on your teeth and where your teeth meet your gums. 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. 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, signaling the onset of gingivitis. Warning signs include:
   • Redness
   • Inflammation
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sore gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Bleeding when brushing

   If you experience any of the above symptoms, don’t wait to get gingivitis treatment, or it could result in significant dental problems down the line.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a significant dental problem that occurs when the bacteria which tartar collects and protects spreads deeper into your gums. This creating pockets between your teeth and gums where more bacteria will collect. If still left untreated, periodontitis can cause tooth loss and even damage to your jaw bone. Symptoms include:
   • Purplish gums
   • Gums that bleed easily
   • Gaps between your teeth and gums
   • Pus in your periodontal pockets
   • Loose teeth
   • Teeth falling out
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   If you think you have periodontitis, find a qualified Jennings, 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 onset of gingivitis and other periodontal disease is not arbitrary. We can all make active decisions in our daily lives that lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Not going to twice yearly dental examinations
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Old age
• Dry mouth
• Poor nutrition
• Diseases that decrease immunity
• Certain medications
• Genetics
• 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 will usually not allow gingivitis to occur. Regular dental examinations at a professional dental office will catch gingivitis in its early stages.

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

• Antibiotics — In gingivitis’s early stages, antibiotics are often the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be given with topical gels applied between your teeth and gums or medicated mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres the most to tooth roots. Deep scaling refers to a dentist removing plaque and tartar from the pockets between the teeth and gums with a laser or ultrasonic scaler. After deep scaling, your dentist will perform 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 destroy damaged tissue and germs. After exploding and removing damaged tissue, your Jennings, MO dentist will use use a different laser to create a seal around the tooth which allows healthy tissue to grow back undisturbed.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Also called oral surgery, this can include osseous surgery, a procedure that removes damages tissue and encloses the gum back around the tooth. Your dentist may also perform soft tissue grafts from the roof of your mouth to replace damaged tissue, or a bone graft to restore lost bone.
• 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 Jennings, 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, we implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.

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 can help Jennings, MO residents with mild to severe dental problems. Anxious patients are of particular concern to us. 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 the dental care you need.

See what other services we offer in Jennings, 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

Jennings, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re seeking periodontal treatment to relieve redness and swelling and prevent further buildup, or need to completely restore your smile, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, empathetic, and expert Jennings, MO team will get you smiling as you leave our office as soon as humanly possible. 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 Jennings, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.