St. Ann, MO

Periodontal Treatment St. Ann, MO

Periodontal Treatment in St. Ann, MO. Periodontal disease, the technical term for gum disease, is is a common, yet serious condition. While cases can range from slight irritation to tooth and bone loss, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If you notice gums becoming more tender, basic activities like eating lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like loose teeth, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in St. Ann, 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 St. Ann, MO, or just a regular cleaning with a friendly dentist, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Two Types of Periodontal Disease | St. Ann, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the CDC, periodontal disease affects almost half of adults older than 30, and almost three-quarters of adults over 65 have it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two different stages: gingivitis as it first starts, and periodontitis if it’s not treated:

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 not removed, the gingiva, or the the tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth, it causes inflammation, signaling the onset of gingivitis. You may have gingivitis if you notice:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Bad Breath that won’t go away
   • Receding gums
   • Sore gums
   • Pain when eating
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Blood on your toothbrush

   If you are dealing with any of the above warning signs, don’t wait to get gingivitis treatment, or it could result in major dental problems in the future.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that occurs when even more tartar and bacteria build up. 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 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
   • Wobbly teeth
   • Teeth falling out
   • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   If you are worried you might have periodontitis, find a qualified St. Ann, MO dentist for periodontal treatment ASAP, and schedule an appointment for emergency dental procedures you are losing teeth or about to lose a tooth.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

For the most part, it’s possible to prevent gingivitis and other periodontal conditions ourselves. We can make a decision to lower the risk of having to seek out periodontal treatment. Known risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Not going to regular dental cleanings
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Diseases that decrease immunity
• Specific prescription drugs
• DNA
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Bruxism

While some risk factors are beyond our control, basic dental health habits such as brushing and flossing and biannually cleanings and polishings can prevent the vast majority of cases. Biannual dental examinations at a professional dentist office will spot early warning signs and treat gingivitis before it worsens.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in St. Ann, MO

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

• Antibiotics — In gingivitis’s early stages, antibiotics are frequently 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 most strongly 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, 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. Once the harmful tissue and bacteria is gone, your St. Ann, MO dentist will use use a different laser to connect gum tissue back to the root.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Commonly known as 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 damaged gums, or a bone graft if your roots or jaw bone have been damaged.
• Other methods — Other methods may be guided tissue regeneration, which places an artificial membrane between the bone and tooth to prevent diseased tissue from touching the tooth and to allow it to grow back naturally. Your St. Ann, MO dentist may also use a special gel on a diseased tooth root that also encourages healthy tissue regeneration.
• Dental implants — If you’re seeking periodontal treatment because you’ve already lost a tooth, the Plaza Dental Center team implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.

Our lead dentist Dr. Joseph Cutrona had the unique opportunity to deal with substantial dental problems early on in his dental education. This means he is capable of treating anything from mild gingivitis to significant bone loss in his periodontal treatment in St. Ann, MO. Nervous 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 back to optimum dental health.

See what other services we offer in St. Ann, 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

St. Ann, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment to relieve inflammation and remove tartar, or need to completely restore your smile, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, compassionate, and expert St. Ann, 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 things like chewing and brushing comfortable. To make an appointment with the leaders of St. Ann, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.