Northwoods, MO

Periodontal Treatment Northwoods, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Northwoods, MO. Periodontal disease, medically referred to as gum disease, is a common condition. While it can cause anything from mild redness to serious dental issues, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If you notice any redness, daily tasks like eating are painful, or you are experiencing more serious issues like teeth falling out, it is time to seek periodontal treatment in Northwoods, 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 ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in Northwoods, MO, or just a standard cleaning with a welcoming dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Two Types of Gum Disease | Northwoods, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, periodontal disease affects almost half of adults older than 30, and almost three-quarters of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two different 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 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. As more and more tartar builds up, the gingiva, or the part of the gums at the base of the teeth, it irritates your gums, leading to the gum disease known as gingivitis. Warning signs include:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Tender gums
   • Pain when eating
   • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
   • Bleeding when brushing

   If you are dealing with even one of those warning signs, it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could lead to serious dental problems in the future.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced dental problem that occurs when gingivitis is not treated. This creates gaps between your teeth and gums, called periodontal pockets, which becomes a safe have for more bacteria to collect and grow. If you do not immediately seek treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Symptoms include:
   • Purplish gums
   • Gums that bleed easily
   • Gaps between your teeth and gums
   • Pus in your periodontal pockets
   • Loose teeth
   • Tooth loss
   • A change in in your bite marks

   If you are worried you might have periodontitis, reach out to a Northwoods, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and schedule an appointment for emergency dental procedures if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

For the most part, we can prevent gingivitis and other periodontal conditions ourselves. We can all make active decisions in our daily lives that lower the risk of having to seek out periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Lack of regular professional dental care
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Diseases that compromise immunity
• Certain medications
• DNA
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Teeth grinding

While some risk factors are beyond our control, good oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing and twice yearly cleanings and polishings stop the development of gum disease. Consistent dental examinations at a professional dental office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Northwoods, MO

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

• Antibiotics — When prevention fails, antibiotics are often a first recourse for non-invasive procedures. Antibiotics can be applied with topical gels applied where your teeth and gums or prescription mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks 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 Northwoods, MO dentist will use the laser again to create a seal around the tooth which allows healthy tissue to grow back undisturbed.
• 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. Other surgeries such as 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 methods — Other treatment options can include guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone destroyed by gum disease. Your Northwoods, 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 can insert dental implants to permanently replace those teeth. Your Northwoods, 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 had the unique opportunity to deal with large, complex cases while doing his residency at the University of Michigan. This means he is capable of treating anything from mild gingivitis to significant bone loss in his periodontal treatment in Northwoods, MO. Anxious 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 Northwoods, 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

Northwoods, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re in need of periodontal treatment to relieve redness and swelling and prevent further buildup, or need serious dental work done, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, empathetic, and expert Northwoods, 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 comfortable. To schedule an appointment with the leaders of Northwoods, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.