Sunset Hills, MO

Periodontal Treatment Sunset Hills, MO

Periodontal Treatment in Sunset Hills, MO. Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is a condition that affects many Americans. While it can cause anything from slight irritation to serious dental problems, it can affect the smile, comfort, and confidence of anyone who has it. If you notice any redness, basic activities like brushing your teeth lead to bleeding, or you are experiencing more serious issues like loose teeth, do not wait to get periodontal treatment in Sunset Hills, MO. Plaza Dental Center is comprised of a caring and friendly staff that treats everyone who walks through our doors as if they were part of our family to ensure a positive experience. For periodontal treatment in Sunset Hills, MO, or just a regular cleaning with a welcoming dentist, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Two Types of Periodontal Disease | Sunset Hills, MO Periodontal Treatment

According to data from the CDC, 47.2% of adults older than 30 have periodontal disease, and almost three-quarters of seniors have it. Periodontal infections are viewed through two distinct stages: gingivitis as it first starts, 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 and remove the plaque, 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. You may have gingivitis if you notice:
   • Redness
   • Inflammation
   • Bad Breath that won’t go away
   • Receding gums
   • Sore gums
   • Painful chewing
   • New teeth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
   • Bleeding after brushing your teeth

   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 serious dental problems in the future.

2. Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that occurs when the bacteria which tartar collects and protects spreads deeper into your gums. This causes your gums to recede and allows for bacteria to build up closer to your teeth roots. If still left untreated, periodontitis can cause tooth loss and even damage to your jaw bone. 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

   At the first sign of periodontitis, reach out to a Sunset Hills, MO dentist for periodontal treatment right away, and make an appointment for emergency dental procedures if a tooth is loose or falls out.

Periodontitis Risk Factors

For the most part, it’s possible to prevent gingivitis and other periodontal conditions ourselves. We can all practice good oral health that will lower the risk of needing periodontal treatment. Associated risk factors include:

• Poor oral care habits
• Lack of regular professional dental care
• Smoking or otherwise using tobacco
• Old age
• Xerostomia
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Conditions that compromise immunity
• Certain prescription drugs
• Genetics
• Certain viral or fungal infections
• Stress
• Bruxism

While some risk factors are beyond our control, good oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing and biannually cleanings and polishings will usually not allow gingivitis to occur. Regular dental examinations at a professional dentist office will catch gingivitis in its early stages.

Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Sunset Hills, MO

While prevention and care usually prevents gingivitis and periodontitis, sometimes something happens beyond our control. Once gum disease has progressed, your Sunset Hills, MO dentist may implement one or more of the following treatments:

• Antibiotics — In gum disease’s early stages, antibiotics are often the easiest and least invasive approach. Antibiotics can be given with topical gels applied on your periodontal pockets or medicated mouthwash.
• Deep scaling and root planning — Tartar adheres most strongly to tooth roots. Deep scaling involves using a laser to scrape below gums and remove tartar. 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 Sunset Hills, MO dentist will use the laser again to connect gum tissue back to the root.
• Maxillofacial surgery — Also called oral surgery, some procedures may include osseous surgery, a procedure that removes damages tissue and connects the gingiva back to the tooth. Your dentist may also perform soft tissue grafts from the roof of your mouth to replace damaged tissue, or a bone graft if your roots or jaw bone have been damaged.
• Other treatment options — Other treatment options can include guided tissue regeneration, which stimulates the growth of bone affected by gum disease. Your Sunset Hills, MO dentist may also use a topical gel on a diseased tooth root 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 implement dental implants, which look, feel, and act just like natural teeth.

Plaza Dental Center’s Dr. Joseph Cutrona was met with large, complex cases while doing his residency at the University of Michigan. This means he can help Sunset Hills, MO residents with mild to severe dental problems. Anxious patients are of particular concern to us. If you have serious gum disease partially caused by anxiety sitting in 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 Sunset Hills, 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

Sunset Hills, MO Periodontal Treatment | Plaza Dental Center

Whether you’re in need of periodontal treatment for mild or significant symptoms, Plaza Dental Centers dedicated, empathetic, and capable Sunset Hills, MO team will get you smiling as you walk down the street in no time. Everyone deserves a smile they feel confident with, and a healthy mouth that makes basic tasks pain-free. To make an appointment with the leaders of Sunset Hills, MO periodontal treatment, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.