(305) 597-2227
Do you have swollen, puffy gums that are dusky red or purplish? Do your gums easily bleed when you brush or floss? These are symptoms of periodontitis, a severe gum infection that affects the bones that support your teeth. Untreated, this gum disease may cause loose tooth and bone loss.
Fortunately, periodontitis is treatable and preventable. Here are the different ways periodontitis can be treated and where you can go for treatment!
Nonsurgical Treatments for Periodontitis
If your periodontitis is not yet in an advanced stage involving severe tissue damage, your dentist can use less invasive methods to treat your condition. These include:
Scaling
Tartar buildup happens when plaque on your teeth hardens under your gumline. Compared to plaque, tartar is harder to remove, and you will need help from your dental care provider. Scaling is the first nonsurgical method to treat periodontitis. Your dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist might use dental instruments like hand scalers and curettes or ultrasonic scalers to remove tartar and bacteria under your gums and on tooth surfaces.
Root Planing
Your dentist may also perform root planing, which involves smoothing the root surfaces. This procedure decreases the risk for further tartar and bacteria buildup on your teeth. It also removes other bacterial byproducts from your root surfaces, which will help improve healing.
Antibiotics
You may also have to use antibiotics to control the bacteria in your mouth. Your provider may prescribe either topical or oral antibiotics. Topical antibiotics include mouth rinses and gels, which you can use after deep cleaning. You may also be prescribed oral antibiotics, which help in completely ridding your teeth and gums of the infection-causing bacteria.
Surgical Treatments
If your periodontitis has already progressed and is in an advanced stage, dental surgery may be necessary to treat your condition. Here are the different surgical procedures performed to treat periodontitiis.
Bone Grafting
When the bone supporting your tooth root has already been damaged by the gum infection, grafting is necessary to prevent further complications. The bone graft is taken from small fragments of your bone, a donor, or made with synthetic material. This graft serves as a filler to hold your tooth in place and facilitates bone formation.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Alternatively, your dentist may use biocompatible fabric. This material is placed between your existing bone and tooth. This fabric allows bone destroyed by bacterial infection to regrow without interruption from unwanted tissues.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
This surgical procedure is also known as flap surgery. It is done by making small incisions in your gum to see the roots behind them. These cut sections or flaps are lifted, so scaling or root planing is more effective in treating your periodontitis.
If necessary, your dentist may recontour the damaged bone before stitching the flap back in place. This procedure also makes it easier to maintain healthy gum tissue.
Soft Tissue Grafts
A receding gumline is another symptom of advancing periodontitis. Soft tissue grafts are done to reinforce the gums and prevent further gum recession. The graft is usually taken from your palate or a donor. It will then be attached to the affected site, covering exposed roots and improving dental appearance.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are also necessary to make nonsurgical and surgical treatments more effective in preventing further oral damage. It also improves your overall oral health. These changes include the following:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily or after every meal
- Floss daily and use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque buildup
- Visit your dentist for routine checkups and regular dental cleanings
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco
Periodontitis Treatment in Doral, Florida
Periodontitis is a severe and common gum infection that is preventable with proper dental hygiene and routine dental checkups. When you notice symptoms of this condition, we highly recommended you visit your dentist immediately. Early detection may prevent the risk of further complications, such as severe gum damage and tooth loss.
Here at Smiles at Doral, our providers offer quality periodontal care for gingivitis and periodontitis. You may reach our clinic for inquiries at (305) 597-2227. Alternatively, you may use this secure online form to schedule your visit to our clinic in Doral, Florida. Let us help you keep your teeth and smile bright and healthy!
