Kirkwood, MO

Periodontal Treatment Kirkwood, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Kirkwood, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is is a common, yet serious condition. While cases can range from slight swelling to painful dental issues, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If you notice your gums receding, daily activities like eating are painful, or you are experiencing more serious issues like teeth falling out, it is time to seek periodontal treatment in Kirkwood, MO. Plaza Dental Center has an amazing team that treats everyone who walks through our doors as if they were part of our family to they feel comfortable when getting the care they need. For periodontal treatment in Kirkwood, MO, or just a standard cleaning with an expert dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Two Types of Periodontal Disease | Kirkwood, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of adults older than 30 have some form of gum disease, and 70.1% of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two distinct categories: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if it’s not treated:

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 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 development of gingivitis. You may have gingivitis if you experience:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sore gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
   • Bleeding after brushing your teeth

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

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is allowed to persist. This creating pockets between your teeth and gums where more bacteria will collect. 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
   • Teeth falling out
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   If you show any warning signs of periodontitis, find a qualified Kirkwood, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and call Plaza Dental Center 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 random. We can make a decision to lower the risk of having to seek out periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Not going to twice yearly dental examinations
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Inadequate nutrition
• Conditions that decrease immunity
• Certain prescription drugs
• Genetics
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Teeth grinding

While we don’t have responsibility over every risk factor, simple and practical steps such as brushing and flossing and consistent cleanings and polishings can prevent the vast majority of cases. Twice yearly dental examinations at a professional dentist office will catch gingivitis in its early stages.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Kirkwood, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents periodontal conditions, sometimes it’s too little too late. Once gum disease has developed, there are a variety of treatment options your Kirkwood, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:

• Antibiotics — In gingivitis’s early stages, antibiotics are often a first recourse for non-invasive procedures. Antibiotics can be given with topical gels applied between your teeth and gums or antiseptic mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks the most to the rough spots of our teeth. Deep scaling involves using a laser 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, preventing further buildup.
• LANAP or Laser Assisted Regeneration — LANAP is a dental technology which uses a laser to to single out and remove damaged tissue and germs. Once the harmful tissue and bacteria is gone, your Kirkwood, 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 connects the gingiva back to the tooth. Your dentist may also perform soft tissue grafts from the roof of your mouth to replace diseased tissue, or a bone graft if your roots or jaw bone have been damaged.
• Other methods — Other treatment options can include guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone destroyed by gum disease. Your Kirkwood, MO dentist may also use a special gel on a diseased tooth root that stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
• Dental implants — If part of your periodontal treatment includes replacing lost teeth, 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 is capable of treating anything from mild gingivitis to significant bone loss in his periodontal treatment in Kirkwood, MO. 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 do everything possible to make you feel comfortable so you can get back to optimum dental health.

See what other services we offer in Kirkwood, 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

Kirkwood, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re seeking periodontal treatment to relieve irritation and remove tartar, or need to completely restore your smile, Plaza Dental Centers committed, friendly, and capable Kirkwood, MO team will get you smiling as you leave our office in no time. Everyone deserves a smile they feel confident with, and a healthy mouth that makes things like chewing and brushing comfortable. To make an appointment with the leaders of Kirkwood, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.