Periodontal Treatment
A good home hygiene routine can help you avoid the onset of gum disease. Recognizing the early signs of gingivitis while it’s still reversible is the best-case scenario. Daily brushing and flossing are essential!
Once gum disease is formally diagnosed, home care can only do so much. Your professional will recommend a series of periodontal therapies known as “deep cleanings” or “scaling and root planings.” These procedures remove the calcified tartar and bacterial deposits down under the gums and against the roots of your teeth (where brushing and flossing do not reach.)
Depending on the severity of your periodontal infection, your professional may also prescribe a special mouthwash or want to place a small antibiotic capsule within the pocket of particularly aggressive areas.
1-2 months after your cleanings, your professional will reassess your oral health and check to see how your gums responded. They will likely re-measure your gum attachment levels at this time to see if any of the soft tissues have reattached themselves to the roots of your teeth. They will also look for bleeding, swelling, and heavy plaque buildup.
In some situations, more advanced gum treatment is required. Special procedures can safely retract your gums to make the roots and bone visible for further professional therapy, and then the gums are sutured back into place.
Bone grafting or augmentation may be recommended in areas where bone loss is especially severe, particularly if the tooth is at a high risk of falling out.
To prevent relapse, it’s essential that you schedule maintenance cleanings every 3-4 months (or less often, under the direction of your dental professional.)
If you have severe gum disease with aggressive tissue detachment, it may not be possible to save certain teeth.
Depending on the extent of buildup throughout your mouth, it’s not uncommon to experience increased tooth mobility for a short time immediately after your cleaning.
Bone cannot be regrown. Treating active gum disease is meant to prevent additional bone loss and tissue detachment. However, there may be future issues associated with bone loss, such as spaces between teeth, exposed root surfaces, and a higher risk of tooth loss.