Riverview Gardens, MO

Periodontal Treatment Riverview Gardens, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Riverview Gardens, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is a condition that affects many Americans. While cases can range from slight irritation to painful dental issues, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If your gums have become irritated, daily activities 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 Riverview Gardens, 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 they feel comfortable when getting the care they need. For periodontal treatment in Riverview Gardens, MO, or just a regular examination with a friendly dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Two Types of Gum Disease | Riverview Gardens, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, periodontal disease affects just under half of adults over 30, and the vast majority of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are broken down into two different stages: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if the disease is allowed to progress:

1. Gingivitis — Gingivitis happens when plaque that contains bacteria and harmful toxins builds up. If the plaque is not removed through proper oral health care, 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 allowed to accumulate, the gingiva, or the part of the gums at the base of the teeth, it causes inflammation, the condition known as gingivitis. Warning signs include:
   • Redness
   • Inflammation
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sensitive gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
   • Bleeding after brushing your teeth

   If you experience even one of those symptoms, it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could result in serious dental problems down the line.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is a serious dental problem that occurs when even more tartar and bacteria build up. This creating pockets between your teeth and gums where more bacteria will collect. If still left untreated, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Symptoms include:
   • Deep red gums
   • Gums that bleed easily
   • Gaps between your teeth and gums
   • Pus between your teeth and gums
   • Wobbly teeth
   • Tooth loss
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   If you think you have periodontitis, find a qualified Riverview Gardens, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental services you are losing teeth or about to lose a tooth.

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 needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Not going to twice yearly dental examinations
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Conditions that decrease immunity
• Specific medications
• DNA
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Bruxism

While some risk factors are beyond our control, simple and practical steps such as brushing and flossing and regular cleanings and polishings go a long way in preventing gum disease by removing harmful bacteria and plaque that cause it. Consistent dental examinations at a professional dental office will will diagnose and treat gingivitis before it develops into periodontitis.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in Riverview Gardens, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents periodontal conditions, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has developed, your Riverview Gardens, MO dentist may implement one or more of the following treatment methods:

• Antibiotics — In gingivitis’s early stages, antibiotics are usually a first recourse for non-invasive procedures. Antibiotics can be applied with antiseptics applied where your teeth and gums or medicated mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar sticks the most to the hardest spots of the enamel on 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, promoting proper healing.
• LANAP or Laser Assisted Regeneration — LANAP is a dental technology which uses a laser to to single out and remove damaged tissue and germs. After exploding and removing damaged tissue, your Riverview Gardens, MO dentist will use the laser again to create a seal around the tooth which allows gum and bone tissue to regenerate.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Commonly known as oral surgery, this can 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 the roof of your mouth to replace diseased tissue, or a bone graft if your roots or jaw bone have been damaged.
• Other treatment options — Other methods can include guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone affected by periodontal disease. Your Riverview Gardens, MO dentist may also implement a special gel on damaged roots that stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
• Dental implants — If part of your periodontal treatment includes replacing lost teeth, the Plaza Dental Center team implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.

Plaza Dental Center’s Dr. Joseph Cutrona was met with substantial dental problems early on in his dental education. This means he has extensive experience with all dental problems and procedures in Riverview Gardens, 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 Riverview Gardens, 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

Riverview Gardens, 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 expert Riverview Gardens, 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 Riverview Gardens, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.