Periodontal Disease
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, but with the right care it is entirely treatable, and in many cases preventable. At Mt. Hermon Dental Care, we screen for periodontal disease at every visit and offer a full range of treatments to stop it in its tracks and restore your gum health.
What Treating Periodontal Disease Can Do
Left untreated, gum disease progresses silently and can cause serious and lasting damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Treating it early gives us the best chance of preserving your natural teeth and protecting your overall health. Our periodontal treatments can help you:
- Stop the progression of gum disease
- Eliminate infection and inflammation
- Reduce gum pocket depth
- Prevent tooth and bone loss
- Restore healthy gum tissue
- Reduce the risk of systemic health complications
- Improve the appearance of your gum line
- Maintain long-term oral health with ongoing care
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue and supporting structures of the teeth. It begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline, and can progress to periodontitis if left untreated. At this more advanced stage, the infection spreads below the gumline and begins to damage the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place.
Many patients are unaware they have gum disease because it often develops without causing noticeable pain in its early stages. By the time symptoms become obvious, the condition may have already caused significant damage. This is why regular professional exams and cleanings are so important — early detection is the key to the simplest and most effective treatment.
Signs of Periodontal Disease
Knowing the warning signs of gum disease can help you seek care before the condition has a chance to progress. If you notice any of the following, contact our office so we can evaluate your gum health and recommend the appropriate course of action:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession or teeth that appear longer than usual
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted position
- Sensitive teeth or pain when chewing
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Changes in the fit of dentures or other appliances
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure used to treat gum disease that has progressed beyond what a routine cleaning can address. It involves removing tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smoothing the root surfaces of the teeth to help the gum tissue reattach and heal. It is the most common and effective non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease.
The procedure is typically performed in quadrants, treating one section of the mouth at a time to allow the tissue to begin healing between appointments. Local anesthetic is used to keep you comfortable throughout. Most patients experience minimal discomfort afterward and notice a significant improvement in the health and appearance of their gums as the tissue heals over the following weeks.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once gum disease has been treated, ongoing maintenance is essential to keeping it under control and preventing it from returning. Periodontal maintenance appointments are more thorough than routine cleanings and are typically recommended every three to four months for patients with a history of gum disease. During these visits, we clean the areas below the gumline, measure pocket depths, and monitor the health of your gum tissue closely.
Periodontal disease is a chronic condition, which means it can return if maintenance is not kept up consistently. Staying on schedule with your maintenance appointments and maintaining a thorough home care routine are the two most important things you can do to protect the results of your treatment. We will work with you to find a maintenance schedule that fits your needs and keeps your gums healthy long term.
Antibiotic Therapy
In some cases, antibiotic therapy is used alongside scaling and root planing to help eliminate the bacteria responsible for gum disease. Antibiotics may be applied directly to the infected gum pockets in the form of a gel or chip, delivering medication precisely where it is needed without affecting the rest of the body. In more advanced cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed to address the infection more broadly.
Antibiotic therapy is not a standalone treatment for gum disease but is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive periodontal treatment plan. We will evaluate your condition and determine whether antibiotic therapy is appropriate for your situation. When used in combination with scaling and root planing and consistent maintenance, it can significantly improve outcomes for patients with moderate to severe gum disease.
Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
Research has established a clear connection between periodontal disease and a number of serious systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and complications during pregnancy. The bacteria associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream and contribute to inflammation throughout the body, making periodontal health an important part of your overall wellbeing.
Patients with diabetes are particularly susceptible to gum disease, and the relationship works both ways. Gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control, while uncontrolled blood sugar makes gum disease more difficult to treat. If you have a systemic health condition that may be related to your gum health, we will take that into account when developing your treatment plan and work closely with your healthcare providers as needed.
How Much Does Periodontal Treatment Cost?
The cost of periodontal treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the extent of care required. A scaling and root planing procedure will differ in cost from a routine maintenance appointment, and the number of visits needed will vary from patient to patient. Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for periodontal treatment, particularly when it is medically necessary. We will review your coverage and provide you with a clear estimate before treatment begins so you can make an informed decision.
Why Treating Gum Disease Is Better Than Leaving It Untreated
Gum disease does not resolve on its own. Without treatment, it will continue to progress and cause increasing damage to the bone and tissue supporting your teeth. What begins as mild gum inflammation can eventually lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and far more complex and costly treatment down the line. Addressing gum disease early with a straightforward non-surgical approach is always preferable to waiting until surgical intervention or extractions become necessary.
Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
In its earliest stage, gum disease can be completely reversed with a professional cleaning and improved home care. Once it has progressed to periodontitis, the damage to the bone and tissue cannot be fully undone, but it can be effectively managed and stopped from advancing further with the right treatment and consistent maintenance. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome and the more of your natural tooth structure we can preserve.
Surgical Periodontal Treatment
For patients with advanced periodontal disease that has not responded adequately to non-surgical treatment, surgical options may be recommended to restore the health of the gum tissue and supporting bone. Periodontal surgery allows us to access areas below the gumline that cannot be thoroughly cleaned with scaling and root planing alone and to reshape the bone and tissue as needed to create an environment that is easier to maintain.
Osseous surgery, also known as pocket reduction surgery, involves folding back the gum tissue to remove bacteria and smooth irregular surfaces on the underlying bone. This reduces the depth of the gum pockets and makes it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate in the future. The gum tissue is then sutured back into place to heal around the teeth in a healthier position.
Bone grafting procedures may also be recommended in cases where significant bone loss has occurred around the teeth. Grafting material is placed in the areas of deficiency to stimulate the regeneration of new bone tissue and restore support around the affected teeth. In some cases, guided tissue regeneration techniques are used alongside grafting to encourage the body to rebuild the structures that gum disease has destroyed.
Soft tissue grafting is another surgical option used to address gum recession, which occurs when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth and exposes the root surfaces. A graft taken from the roof of the mouth or from donor tissue is used to cover the exposed roots, reduce sensitivity, and restore a healthier and more natural-looking gumline. This procedure also helps protect the roots from further recession and decay.
Surgical periodontal treatment is performed with local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Recovery varies depending on the extent of the surgery but most patients manage well with over-the-counter pain relief and find that discomfort subsides within a few days. We will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up visits to monitor your healing and ensure the best possible outcome.
While surgical treatment is not necessary for every patient with gum disease, it can be a highly effective option for those who need it. The goal in every case is to use the most conservative approach that will achieve lasting results. We will discuss all of your options with you thoroughly before recommending surgery and make sure you feel fully informed and comfortable with the plan before moving forward.
Protecting Your Smile From the Inside Out
At Mt. Hermon Dental Care, we are committed to helping you maintain healthy gums as the foundation of a healthy smile. If you have noticed any signs of gum disease or are overdue for a checkup, contact our Scotts Valley office today to schedule an evaluation and take the first step toward healthier gums.
