Services — Periodontal (Gum)

What is periodontal (gum) disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket. Because periodontal (gum) disease is usually painless, however, you may not know you have it.

In the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease, called gingivitis, the gums can become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.

In the more advanced stages of periodontal (gum) disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

What are the signs of periodontal (gum) disease?

If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal (gum) disease, see your dentist immediately:

gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
red, swollen or tender gums
gums that have pulled away from the teeth
bad breath that doesn't go away
pus between your teeth and gums
loose teeth
a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
a change in the fit of partial dentures

Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

tobacco smoking or chewing
systemic diseases such as diabetes
some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
bridges that no longer fit properly
crooked teeth
fillings that have become defective
pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives

Normal, healthy gums
Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place.

Periodontitis
Unremoved, plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As plaque and calculus continue to build up, the gums begin to recede (pull away) from the teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and gums.

Advanced periodontitis
The gums recede farther, destroying more bone and the periodontal ligament. Teeth – even healthy teeth – may become loose and need to be extracted.

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don't have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

What is Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)?

Scaling and Root Planing is done to remove plaque and hard crusty calculus, that is loaded with bacteria, around and BELOW the gum line. A regular prophy or cleaning removes only the soft sticky plaque that is above the gum line. It is a method of treating periodontal disease when deep pockets have formed around the teeth.

Because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning, your mouth may be numbed. The cleaning may take two visits to complete. Depending on the extent of the disease you may need one or more sections (quadrants) of the mouth to be treated with scaling and root planing. Treatment may require one or more visits.

What is crown lengthening?

During this procedure, gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. We may recommend crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Perhaps your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.