Periodontics is a special sub-category of dentistry that focuses on the structures that support the teeth, most notably the gums and mouth bones. A person develops periodontitis when their gums become irritated due to heavy exposure to toxins found in plaque. When the condition occurs, the gums will appear swollen and slightly darkened in color. As the gum disease progresses, the gums will start to retract from the teeth, resulting in empty spaces that are referred to as periodontal pockets. These spaces are prone to becoming filled with tartar, bacteria and plaque, and if this happens, the condition will be able to spread more easily throughout the mouth. If the condition reaches the jawbone and the connective tissues of the teeth, it is possible that tooth loss will occur.
Dr. Halabo and his team know how serious gum disease is, and that is why we strongly encourage our patients to seek out treatment for the condition as early as possible. We offer a wide-variety of treatment options for periodontitis that are designed to restore a patient’s oral health, as well as the appearance of their gums. The earlier you start, the easier treatment will be.
Gum Graft Surgery
Many people suffering from gum disease experience a gum line that has pulled away from their teeth. This causes a receding gum line that exposes the roots of their teeth, while also appearing quite unattractive. To fix this problem, a gum graft surgery is commonly used. This procedure consists of harvesting oral tissue from another area of the mouth and then using this tissue to cover up any exposed roots. By doing this, we can not only restore the appearance of the patient’s gums, but we can also prevent harmful infections from occurring.
Pocket Reduction Procedures
When dealing with gum disease, it is very important to eliminate the periodontal pockets that develop. If left untreated, these spaces will very quickly become prime locations for harmful bacteria and plaque. In order to reduce the size of these pockets, we will start by removing unwanted build-ups from these areas. This will initiate the healing process, causing the periodontal pockets to begin slowly shrinking. Next, an antimicrobial liquid will be applied to the spaces to prevent future build-ups and to allow the healing process to continue. Once healing is complete, the periodontal pockets should be substantially reduced in size, and no dangerous infections should be present.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective non-surgical treatment methods for periodontitis. The process involves removing any excessive buildup of plaque, tartar and toxins that have accumulated above and below the gum line. The process starts by using specialized tools to access the deep spaces between teeth so that any plaque that is present can be removed. Once these areas are clean, we smooth out the rough spots that are present on the root surfaces to help stop future buildups from occurring. This thorough process is one of the best methods for putting a stop to periodontitis and helping the gums become completely healed.
If gum disease is particularly severe, it may be necessary to cut into the gum line so that large amounts of tartar and plaque can be removed. By doing this, we can provide a deeper and more thorough cleaning than what can be provided with standard scaling and root planing. In addition to cleaning out the gums, we will also take the time to remove any excess gum tissue, and we will conduct a gum graft procedure to cover up any of the tooth roots that have become exposed.
Once gum disease reaches the jawbone, it will cause the structure to decay and deteriorate. In order to reverse this process, it is usually necessary to conduct a bone grafting procedure. This technique will repair the damage that has occurred and restore the health of the jawbone. The treatment involves using artificial bone-like material and specialized proteins to regenerate the jawbone and encourage new bone growth. Over time, the jawbone should eventually restore itself to what it was before it was decayed by periodontitis. Many patients receive bone grafting procedures before having dental implants installed. By doing this, we can strengthen a person’s jawbone so that it provides adequate support for dental implants.
Dr. Halabo has been named a top dentist for 15 consecutive years! If you would like to learn more about any of the periodontal services that are offered at our practice, please call us at (619) 427-0810 to schedule an appointment.