Targeted Gum Disease Treatments
Miss Your Healthy Smile?
Mild, moderate and severe gum disease can affect your smile and your self-esteem. If you are tired of dealing with bleeding gums, bad breath and other gum disease symptoms, talk to us about a targeted gum disease procedure that will restore your oral health. Read our patient reviews to see how easy and effective gum disease treatment can be.
What is Periodontal (Gum Disease)?
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria and tartar buildup. As the germs and bacteria that live inside the mouth are usually removed by daily brushing and flossing, a lack of routine oral hygiene can easily multiply disease-causing bacteria. When left untreated, gum disease often results in an infection that can spread to surrounding tissue and cause an array of health risks. Periodontal disease generally occurs in three stages, each stage marking the progressive severity of bacteria accumulation.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease develops from the spread of bacteria found in plaque—a sticky film that gathers on a tooth, causing enamel decay. As this bacteria builds along the gumline and begins to infiltrate the structures that support a tooth, severe inflammation can create a pocket between the gum and the tooth, loosening the tooth until it becomes unseated. This is considered the most advanced stage of periodontal disease.
While plaque is the primary reason for gum disease, other factors—including genetic predisposition as well as smoking and tobacco use—can also increase the risk of the condition. Swollen and bleeding gums often indicate the early stages of periodontal disease. If not promptly addressed, gum disease can create a number of unpleasant symptoms and weaken a tooth to the point of extraction.
What are Common Gum Disease Symptoms?
Recognizing the early signs of periodontal disease is key to successful treatment and comprehensive elimination of the bacteria. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment to evaluate the state of your gum health as soon as possible
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Redness, irritation, or gum sensitivity
- Chronic bad breath
- A space separating the gums and the teeth
- Changes in the spacing or positioning of the teeth
- Changes in bite alignment
- Loose teeth
What are the Different Periodontal Disease Stages?
Gum disease is categorized into three different stages of bacteria buildup:
Gingivitis— At the earliest phase of periodontal disease, bacterial inflammation only affects the gums. This is typically the stage that is easiest to treat, as the infection has not yet spread to the bone or connective tissue.
Periodontitis— In cases of moderate periodontal disease, the infection has penetrated the bone and supportive tissue around the teeth. This swelling begins to create a pocket below the gumline where tartar, plaque, and bacteria can continue to accumulate.
Advanced periodontitis— In the final stage of gum disease, the pocket formed by bacteria buildup has deepened. The toxins produced by the infection may permanently damage the fibers and bone around a tooth, causing it to shift and loosen. Without immediate attention from a dentist, this can change the alignment of your bite and ultimately cause tooth loss.
What are the Different Periodontal Disease Treatments?
At Center For Smiles, we provide effective periodontal care to treat gum disease at the root. Dr. Nicholas Rallis works closely with Dr. Chris Chondrogiannis, an experienced periodontist, to ensure gum disease patients receive the comprehensive care they need. Since periodontal disease is a progressive condition, we need to get the infection under control as soon as possible.
Dr. Chondrogiannis has worked on all types of periodontal disease cases throughout his career and is a member of the American academy of Periodontology and Fellow to the New York Academy of Dentistry. He can put together a custom treatment plan that will treat gum disease and also prevent it from coming back.
There are a number of therapies that can restore your oral health at every stage of periodontal disease. The most beneficial course of action for your needs will be determined based on the extent of your bacteria buildup. Our dentists utilize both surgical and non-surgical solutions to clear away infected tissue, address bone loss, and heal damaged structures in the teeth and mouth. In general, gum disease treatment may include measures to eliminate bacteria pockets, fight the spread of infection, and/or deeply clean the gums and teeth down to the root.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
| Gingivectomy | Osseous Surgery | Scaling & Root Planing | Laser Gum Surgery | |
| Minimally Invasive? | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| What’s Involved? | Surgical removal of diseased gum tissue to clean out pockets | Extensive cleaning around the roots, reshaping of the bone, trimming of gum tissue | Deep cleaning of the roots and polishing the teeth smooth | Passing laser over diseased gum tissue to kill bacteria; gums heal naturally |
| Ideal for Treating: | Moderate to Severe Gum Disease | Severe Gum Disease | Mild to Moderate Gum Disease | Moderate to Severe Gum Disease |
Managing Gum Disease After Treatment
If you are at risk for gum disease, there is always a chance that the infection will return even after treatment. We typically put our patients on a periodontal maintenance plan after treatment to ensure we are still keeping the gums clear of infection and everything is healing properly. We also measure periodontal pockets to see how quickly the gums are restored.
Protect your smile and maintain good gum health with the right treatment plan! Schedule your gum disease consultation with Dr. Rallis today
