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Overland, MO

Periodontal Treatment Overland, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Overland, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is a condition that affects many Americans. While it can cause anything from mild discomfort to tooth and bone loss, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If you notice any redness, basic tasks like eating lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like significant gaps between your teeth and gums, you need periodontal treatment in Overland, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats every patient as family in order to break down barriers for apprehensive patients. For periodontal treatment in Overland, MO, or just a regular examination with a friendly dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Periodontal Treatment Overland, MO | Gingivitis Treatment | Dental Office Near Overland | Plaza Dental Center

Stages of Gum Disease | Overland, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the CDC, periodontal disease affects 47.2% of adults over 30, and almost three-quarters of seniors have it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two different stages: gingivitis in its mild form, and periodontitis if you don’t seek treatment in a timely fashion:

  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 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. As more and more tartar builds up, the gingiva, or the the tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth, it causes inflammation, leading to the gum disease known as gingivitis. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
    • Redness
    • Swelling
    • Chronic bad breath
    • Receding gums
    • Tender gums
    • Painful chewing
    • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
    • Blood on your toothbrush

    If you are dealing with even one of those warning signs, you need to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could lead to major dental problems down the line.

  2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a significant 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 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

    At the first sign of periodontitis, find a qualified Overland, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental procedures you are losing teeth or about to lose a tooth.

Periodontal Treatment Overland, MO | Gingivitis Treatment | Dental Office Near Overland

Periodontitis Risk Factors

The onset of gingivitis and other periodontal disease is not random. We can all practice good oral health that will lower the risk of having to seek out periodontal treatment. Known risk factors include:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Lack of regular professional dental care
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Old age
  • Xerostomia
  • Poor nutrition
  • Conditions that compromise immunity
  • Certain medications
  • Genetics
  • 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 consistent cleanings and polishings will usually not allow gingivitis to occur. Biannual dental examinations at a professional dentist office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Overland, MO

While prevention and care often stave off gum disease, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has progressed, there are a variety of treatment options your Overland, MO dentist can pursue depending on the severity of the disease:

  • Antibiotics — In gingivitis’s early stages, antibiotics are usually a first recourse for non-invasive procedures. Antibiotics can be given with antiseptics applied where your teeth and gums or prescription mouthwash.
  • Deep scaling and root planning Tartar sticks most strongly to tooth roots. Deep scaling refers to a dentist removing plaque and tartar below the gum line with a laser or ultrasonic scaler. After deep scaling, your dentist will perform 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 Overland, MO dentist will use the laser again to create a seal around the tooth which allows gum and bone tissue to regenerate.
  • 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 treatment options — Other treatment options can include guided tissue regeneration, which places a special fabric between the bone and tooth to prevent diseased tissue from touching the tooth and to allow it to grow back naturally. Your Overland, MO dentist may also implement a topical gel on damaged roots that stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
  • Dental implants If you’re seeking periodontal treatment because you’ve already lost a tooth, we can insert dental implants to permanently replace those teeth. Your Overland, 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 substantial dental problems 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 Overland, MO. We are especially interested in patients are nervous about having dental work done. 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 Overland, MO by clicking on the links below:

Overland, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re in need of periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers committed, compassionate, and capable Overland, MO team will get you smiling as you walk out the door as soon as humanly possible. We want you to have a radiant smile and a healthy mouth that makes things like chewing and brushing comfortable. To make an appointment with the leaders of Overland, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.