Maplewood, MO

Periodontal Treatment Maplewood, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Maplewood, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is a common condition. While it can cause anything from slight discomfort to significant dental issues, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If your gums have become irritated, daily tasks like eating lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like significant gaps between your teeth and gums, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in Maplewood, MO. Plaza Dental Center has an amazing team that treats everyone who walks through our doors as family in order to break down barriers that prevent many people from getting the dental care they need. For periodontal treatment in Maplewood, MO, or just a standard examination with a friendly dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Two Types of Periodontal Disease | Maplewood, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, periodontal disease affects almost half of adults over 30, and almost three-quarters of adults over 65 have it. Periodontal infections are classified in two different categories: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if it’s not treated:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque that contains bacteria and harmful toxins builds up. If you do not follow 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 not removed, the gingiva, or the part of the gums at the base of the teeth, it causes inflammation, 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 are dealing with any of the above symptoms, don’t wait to get gingivitis treatment, or it could lead to serious dental problems in the future.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a significant gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is allowed to persist. This causes your gums to recede and allows for bacteria to build up closer to your teeth roots. If you do not immediately seek periodontal therapy, 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
   • Wobbly 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 Maplewood, MO dentist for periodontal treatment ASAP, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental procedures you are losing teeth or about to lose a tooth.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

The onset of gingivitis and other periodontal disease is not arbitrary. We can make a decision to lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Not going to biannual dental examinations
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Old age
• Dry mouth
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Diseases that compromise immunity
• Specific medications
• DNA
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Teeth grinding

While we don’t have responsibility over every risk factor, good oral hygiene 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 catch gingivitis in its early stages.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Maplewood, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents gum disease, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has developed, your Maplewood, MO dentist may implement one or more of the following treatments:

• Antibiotics — When prevention fails, antibiotics are frequently the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be applied with antiseptics applied on your periodontal pockets or antiseptic mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres most strongly to tooth roots. In deep scaling, an ultrasonic scaler is used to scrape below gums and remove tartar. After deep scaling, your dentist will perform 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 to single out and remove damaged tissue and germs. Once the harmful tissue and bacteria is gone, your Maplewood, MO dentist will use use a different laser to connect gum tissue back to the root.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Also called oral surgery, some procedures may include osseous surgery, or pocket reduction surgery, to remove bacteria and diseased gum tissue, smooth any damaged bone, and stitches your gum back to the tooth. Other surgeries such as soft tissue grafts from either a donation or another part of your mouth to replace diseased gums, or a bone graft if the bone at the root of your teeth has been destroyed.
• Other methods — Other treatment options may be guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone damaged by periodontal disease. Your Maplewood, MO dentist may also implement a topical 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, your dentist can insert dental implants to permanently replace those teeth. Your Maplewood, 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.

Our lead dentist Dr. Joseph Cutrona was met with large, complex cases while pursuing his residency at the University of Michigan. This means he has extensive experience with all dental problems and procedures in Maplewood, MO. Nervous 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 back to optimum dental health.

See what other services we offer in Maplewood, 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

Maplewood, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, compassionate, and expert Maplewood, MO team will get you smiling as you walk out the door in no time. We want you to have a radiant smile and a healthy mouth that makes things like chewing and brushing comfortable. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Maplewood, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.