If you have noticed bleeding from your gums while brushing and flossing with symptoms like inflammation, redness, and swelling, you probably have gum disease. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and in advanced stages, periodontal disease can cause serious complications, including tooth loss. If you visit a Family dentist in Jenison, MI, they will complete a physical exam and order additional tests and X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. In this post, we will discuss treatments for periodontal disease.
Dental cleaning
If you have gingivitis, just changing your oral hygiene habits and dental cleaning can help. The goal is to get rid of oral bacteria, and your dentist can complete the cleaning in one session. Make sure that you brush and floss at least twice a day. You can also ask your dentist for medical mouthwash and product recommendations. Anti-bacterial mouthwash can help prevent bacterial growth.
Scaling and root planing
Similar to dental cleaning, both root planing and scaling focus on deep cleaning beneath the gums to remove bacteria and plaque. Your dentist will remove the plaque using special instruments and smoothen root surfaces to prevent further bacterial growth. The entire treatment can require two visits, and you will usually get local anesthesia, which means you will not feel any pain or discomfort.
Flap surgery
For moderate to more advanced gum disease, flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery is necessary. The cleaning process gets beyond the gum surface. Your dentist will make an incision in the gums to separate them from tooth roots. Next, they will clean the plaque, tartar, and bacteria and smoothen out the rough areas. As the final step, they will reposition the gums and close the incision with stitches.
LANAP (Laser-assisted new attachment procedure)
This is another procedure that treats periodontitis using a handheld device. The laser is targeted at diseased gum disease, leaving healthy tissues intact. Compared to traditional pocket reduction surgery, LANAP is less invasive. Your dentist will decide between flap surgery and LANAP based on the extent of your gum disease and what would help achieve the best outcome.
Bone grafting
If you have lost bone mass due to gum disease, you will need what is called a bone graft. The grafting material can be taken from a donor or your own body. Many dentists also use synthetic grafting materials. Once the infection is cleaned, they place the grafting material into the targeted areas, and with time, the body will regenerate bone to compensate for the loss.
Gum grafting
For loss of gum tissues due to periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend gum graft surgery, which is also called tissue grafting. The treatment is ideal when a patient has suffered a recession of gums due to periodontic disease. Tissue grafting helps cover exposed teeth roots and makes your gums look thicker. Material for the procedure can be taken from your own mouth or tissue bank.
Schedule an appointment today
Gum disease is best treated in the early stages. If you believe you have an infection or inflammation in your gums, see a dentist soon. There are certain risk factors for gum disease, such as smoking, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. One of the common reasons why people have gingivitis is poor oral hygiene, which is why it is critical to follow proper brushing and flossing habits. As for the treatment, talk to your dentist in detail about the options you can consider. They will usually explain each procedure in detail, including the pros and cons, and if you have questions, they will educate you further.
Select a reliable family dental clinic in Jenison for gum disease treatment.
