St. John, MO

Periodontal Treatment St. John, MO

Periodontal Treatment in St. John, MO. Periodontal disease, medically referred to as gum disease, is a condition that affects many Americans. While it can cause anything from mild redness to tooth and bone loss, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If your gums have become irritated, 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 St. John, 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 St. John, MO, or just a regular examination with a welcoming dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Stages of Periodontal Disease | St. John, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of adults over 30 suffer from some form of gum disease, and almost three-quarters of adults over 65 suffer from it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two different categories: gingivitis in its mild form, 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 collects and protects more bacteria. As more and more tartar builds up, the gingiva, or the the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and holds them in place, it causes irritation, redness, and swelling, leading to the gum disease known as gingivitis. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
   • Redness
   • Inflammation
   • Chronic bad breath
   • Receding gums
   • Sore gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Bleeding when brushing

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

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 periodontal therapy, 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 the way your teeth fit together when you bite

   If you show any symptoms of periodontitis, reach out to a St. John, MO dentist for periodontal treatment as soon as possible, and make an appointment for emergency dental services if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

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

• Poor oral hygiene
• Not going to twice yearly dental examinations
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Insufficient nutrition
• Conditions that compromise immunity
• Specific prescription drugs
• DNA
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Teeth grinding

While we don’t have responsibility over every risk factor, basic dental health habits such as brushing and flossing and consistent cleanings and polishings go a long way in preventing gum disease by removing harmful bacteria and plaque that cause it. Biannual dental examinations at a professional dental office will will diagnose and treat gingivitis before it develops into periodontitis.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in St. John, MO

While prevention and care often stave off periodontal conditions, sometimes it’s too little too late. Once gum disease has developed, there are a variety of treatment options your St. John, 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 on your periodontal pockets or antiseptic mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres the most to the hardest spots of the enamel on our teeth. 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, which prevents further buildup and reduces post-scaling irritation.
• 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 St. John, MO dentist will use the laser again to reduce the gap between your teeth and gums.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Also called oral surgery, this can include osseous surgery, or pocket reduction surgery, to remove bacteria and diseased gum tissue, smooth any damaged bone, and suture your gums in a way that reduces pocket depth. Your dentist may also perform soft tissue grafts from the roof of your mouth to replace damaged tissue, or a bone graft to restore lost bone.
• 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 St. John, 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 St. John, 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 the dental care you need.

See what other services we offer in St. John, 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. John, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re looking for periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers committed, friendly, and expert St. John, 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 basic tasks pain-free. To make an appointment with the leaders of St. John, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online form.