When afflicted with gum disease, it’s best to receive treatment as soon as possible. Based on your individual case, your dentist may recommend either surgical or nonsurgical methods of treatment. What’s most important is that you receive prompt, effective treatment.
Nonsurgical Methods
Most patients can treat their periodontal disease with noninvasive, nonsurgical treatments. Some of these treatments are preventive, while others help stop periodontal disease in its tracks.
Professional cleanings are an effective method in the prevention of periodontal disease. Sometimes, despite thorough efforts, plaque and decay will develop. Only dental hygienists can see and properly clean these harmful deposits.
Scaling and root planing treats the beginning stages of gingivitis, preventing the onset of periodontitis. During scaling, a dentist removes plaque deposits on the teeth both above and below the gum line. Most patients complete this procedure under local anesthetic. Once the plaque has been scaled off, the dentist smooths the tooth surface to prevent plaque accumulation. This process is called planing.
Tray delivery methods let medicine sit on the gums for an extended period of time. This medicine penetrates the gums and kills bacterial growth.
Surgical Methods
Your dentist will recommend surgical methods in the case of advanced periodontal disease. Periodontitis can spread to other areas of the gums and even to the bones. At this point, treatment is necessary to restore optimal oral health.
Pocket reduction surgery prevents the accumulation of plaque under the gum line. After large quantities of plaque have developed, the gum pockets can become stretched. They no longer have the elasticity to shrink and reattach to the tooth. This procedure ensures the health of your teeth and gums and prevents the reoccurrence of gum disease.
Bone surgery retains the integrity of your alveolar bone structure. After advanced gum disease has spread to the bones and caused damage, the bones can be smaller in size and riddled with craters. These craters are hot spots for bacterial development and vulnerable to infection. A dentist may suggest these areas be smoothed down. In the case of bone loss, a bone graft can restore your gum line to its natural mass. If a patent needs bone material, it can be sourced from their own body or bone-regenerative synthetics.
Choose Steven F. Stanley, DDS for Periodontal Disease Management
If you or a loved one are afflicted with periodontal disease, don’t hesitate to seek treatment. At our Los Angeles dental practice, we offer a variety of methods for treating this disease. We work closely with our patients to ensure their treatment is the best, most applicable option available. Feel free to give us a call and schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!