Maryland Heights, MO

Periodontal Treatment Maryland Heights, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Maryland Heights, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is a common condition. While it can cause anything from slight irritation to tooth and bone loss, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If your gums have become irritated, basic activities like eating lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like teeth falling out, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in Maryland Heights, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats every patient as if they were part of our family to ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in Maryland Heights, MO, or just a standard cleaning with an expert dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment online.

Stages of Gum Disease | Maryland Heights, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the CDC, periodontal disease affects 47.2% of adults over 30, and 70.1% of seniors have it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two distinct categories: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if the disease is allowed to progress:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis is a mild and common form of periodontal disease that is the result of plaque building up on your teeth. If you do not follow good oral health like brushing and flossing, 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 the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and holds them in place, it irritates your gums, leading to the development of gingivitis. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Bad Breath that won’t go away
   • Receding gums
   • Tender gums
   • Pain when eating
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Blood on your toothbrush

   If you are dealing with even one of those indicators, it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could result in significant dental problems down the line.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a serious dental problem that occurs when the bacteria which tartar collects and protects spreads deeper into your gums. 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 treatment, 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 in your periodontal pockets
   • Loose teeth
   • Teeth falling out
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   At the first sign of periodontitis, reach out to a Maryland Heights, 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

For the most part, it’s possible to prevent gingivitis and other periodontal disease ourselves. We can make a decision to lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Lack of regular professional dental care
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Dry mouth
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Conditions that decrease immunity
• Certain medications
• DNA
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Bruxism

While we don’t have responsibility over every risk factor, good oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing and biannually cleanings and polishings will usually not allow gingivitis to occur. Consistent dental examinations at a professional dentist office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Maryland Heights, MO

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

• Antibiotics — When prevention fails, antibiotics are usually the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be given with antiseptics applied between your teeth and gums or medicated mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres the most to tooth roots. 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, which prevents further buildup and reduces post-scaling irritation.
• 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 Maryland Heights, MO dentist will use use a different laser to connect gum tissue back to the root.
• 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 tissue, or a bone graft if the bone at the root of your teeth has been destroyed.
• Other treatment options — Other methods can include guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone destroyed by gum disease. Your Maryland Heights, MO dentist may also implement a topical 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 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 has extensive experience with all dental problems and procedures in Maryland Heights, MO. Apprehensive patients are of particular concern to us. If your gingivitis progressed partially because you were wary of the dentist’s chair, we’ll do everything possible to make you feel comfortable so you can get the dental care you need.

See what other services we offer in Maryland Heights, 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

Maryland Heights, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re seeking periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers committed, empathetic, and expert Maryland Heights, 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 basic tasks comfortable. For the highest quality periodontal treatment in Maryland Heights, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.