Olivette, MO

Periodontal Treatment Olivette, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Olivette, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is is a common, yet serious condition. While it can cause anything from slight redness to painful dental problems, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If your gums have become irritated, daily tasks like brushing your teeth are painful, or you are experiencing more serious issues like teeth falling out, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in Olivette, MO. Plaza Dental Center has an amazing team that treats every patient as family to they feel comfortable when getting the care they need. For periodontal treatment in Olivette, MO, or just a standard examination with a welcoming dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Stages of Gum Disease | Olivette, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under half of adults over 30 have some form of gum disease, and the vast majority of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are classified in two different stages: 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 the plaque is not removed through proper oral health care, it becomes tartar which collects and protects more bacteria. If the tartar is allowed to accumulate, the gingiva, or the the tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth, it causes irritation, redness, and swelling, signaling the onset of gingivitis. Warning signs include:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Bad Breath that won’t go away
   • Receding gums
   • Sensitive gums
   • Pain when eating
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Bleeding after brushing your teeth

   If you experience even one of those symptoms, don’t wait to get gingivitis treatment, or it could lead to major dental problems in the future.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a serious dental problem that occurs when even more tartar and bacteria build up. 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 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 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 Olivette, MO dentist for periodontal treatment right away, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental services if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

The onset of gingivitis and other periodontal conditions is not random. We can all make active decisions in our daily lives that lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Lack of regular professional dental care
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Insufficient nutrition
• Diseases that compromise immunity
• Specific prescription drugs
• Genetics
• 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 twice yearly cleanings and polishings can prevent the vast majority of cases. Regular dental examinations at a professional dentist office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Olivette, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents gum disease, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has developed, there are a variety of treatment options your Olivette, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:

• Antibiotics — When prevention fails, antibiotics are usually the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be applied with antiseptics applied where your teeth and gums or prescription mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks the most to the rough spots of our teeth. Deep scaling refers to a dentist removing plaque and tartar from the periodontal pocket 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, promoting proper healing.
• 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 Olivette, MO dentist will use the laser again 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. Your dentist may also perform soft tissue grafts from your palate 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 damaged by periodontal disease. Your Olivette, MO dentist may also use a topical gel on damaged roots that also encourages healthy tissue regeneration.
• Dental implants — If part of your periodontal treatment includes replacing lost teeth, your dentist implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.

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 Olivette, MO. Apprehensive 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 Olivette, 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

Olivette, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, empathetic, and capable Olivette, MO team will get you smiling as you walk out the door in no time. Everyone deserves a smile they feel confident with, and a healthy mouth that makes basic tasks comfortable. To schedule an appointment with the leaders of Olivette, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.