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St. Louis County, MO

Periodontal Treatment St. Louis County, MO

Periodontal Treatment in St. Louis County, 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 serious dental issues, it can affect our daily lives and limit how much we want to smile. If you notice gums becoming more tender, daily 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. Louis County, MO. Plaza Dental Center has an amazing team that treats every patient as if they were part of our family to ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in St. Louis County, MO, or just a regular cleaning with a welcoming dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

Periodontal Treatment St. Louis County, MO | Gingivitis Treatment | Dental Office Near St. Louis County | Plaza Dental Center

Stages of Gum Disease | St. Louis County, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the CDC, almost half of adults over 30 suffer from periodontal disease, and 70.1% of seniors suffer from it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two distinct 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 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 gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and holds them in place, it causes inflammation, leading to the development of gingivitis. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
    • Redness
    • Inflammation
    • Chronic bad breath
    • Receding gums
    • Sore 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, it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away, or it could result in significant dental problems in the future.

  2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced 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 therapy, periodontitis can damage surrounding tissue, including bone and tooth loss. Symptoms include:
    • Deep red 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 in your bite marks

    If you show any warning signs of periodontitis, reach out to a St. Louis County, MO dentist for periodontal treatment immediately, and call Plaza Dental Center for emergency dental services if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontal Treatment St. Louis County, MO | Gingivitis Treatment | Dental Office Near St. Louis County

Periodontitis Risk Factors

For the most part, we can prevent gingivitis and other periodontal disease ourselves. We can make a decision to lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Certain risk factors include:

  • Poor oral care habits
  • Lack of regular professional dental care
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Old age
  • Xerostomia
  • Insufficient nutrition
  • Conditions that compromise immunity
  • Certain medications
  • DNA
  • Certain viral or fungal infections
  • Stress
  • Bruxism

While we don’t have responsibility over every risk factor, simple and practical steps such as brushing and flossing and biannually 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 catch gingivitis in its early stages.

Periodontal Treatment Methods in St. Louis County, MO

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

  • Antibiotics — In gum disease’s early stages, antibiotics are usually a first recourse for non-invasive procedures. Antibiotics can be given with antiseptics applied between your teeth and gums or prescription mouthwash.
  • Deep scaling and root planning Tartar sticks the most 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, 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. Once the harmful tissue and bacteria is gone, your St. Louis County, MO dentist will use the laser again to create a seal around the tooth which allows healthy tissue to grow back undisturbed.
  • Maxillofacial surgery The technical term for oral surgery, some procedures may include osseous surgery, a procedure that removes damages tissue and encloses the gum back around the tooth. Other surgeries such as 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 gum disease. Your St. Louis County, MO dentist may also implement 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, we implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.


Our lead dentist Dr. Joseph Cutrona was met with serious dental problems early on in his dental education. This means he can help St. Louis County, MO residents with mild to severe dental problems. Nervous 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 St. Louis County, MO by clicking on the links below:

St. Louis County, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

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