There are several different ways to approach gum disease, depending on the patient’s medical history and clinical needs and the extent of the disease. The goal of any treatment is to stop the progression of the disease and prevent tissue damage from continuing, and this is more challenging in some cases than in others. Some treatments require simple approaches like deep cleaning or antibacterial rinses, while others require surgical intervention. These various approaches to treating the disease include:
- Professional dental cleaning
- Scaling and root planing, also known as a “dental deep cleaning”
- Antibacterial or other medical treatment
- Flap surgery
- Tissue grafts
In its earliest stages, gum disease, or gingivitis, can be reversed and the health of the oral tissues restored with a thorough professional teeth cleaning. It’s common for some plaque and tartar to remain on the teeth, especially in places that are more difficult to reach, even after the most scrupulous brushing and flossing. In a professional cleaning, the dental hygienist cleans away every trace of plaque and tartar, preventing bacteria from colonizing on the teeth or at the gum line and stopping gingivitis from progressing.
When gingivitis is allowed to progress and develop into periodontitis, the oral tissues have started to succumb to infection, threatening their integrity and also threatening the stability of the teeth. The first line of defense against periodontitis is a periodontal treatment called scaling and root planing. In this procedure, which is performed with a local anesthetic, plaque and tartar are scraped, or scaled, off the teeth, both above and below the gum line. Then, the tooth roots are smoothed, or planed, to help prevent bacteria from accumulating and encourage the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth root. In many cases, this procedure successfully removes infection and reverses inflammation, helping the gums heal and allowing them to return to their proper, snug position around the tooth roots. Some dentists use lasers as part of the scaling and root planing treatment, which helps reduce bleeding and speed up healing.
Periodontists might also use certain medications in combination with scaling and root planing. These medications might include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or topical treatments to eliminate bacteria and reduce discomfort while the gums heal.
When inflammation is extensive, additional treatments beyond deep cleans and medication may be needed. The most common of these surgeries is called flap surgery. In the flap surgery procedure, the periodontist makes an incision in the gums, lifting a flap of tissue to access deep within periodontal pockets and remove tartar buildup. Once the tartar has been removed, the area is sterilized, and the gums are sutured back into position. This allows the gums to recover and reduces periodontal pockets, helping the gums return to a secure fit around the teeth.
If periodontitis is left untreated, it destroys the oral tissues – the gums, connective tissues, teeth, and bone. These tissues won’t regenerate on their own, so dentists use different types of tissue grafts to help them regrow. Bone grafts, gum grafts, and guided tissue regeneration treatments help bone and gum tissue grow back where they’ve been destroyed, restoring the structure of the jaw and the integrity of the gums and supporting the continued health of the periodontal tissues.
All of these treatments for gum disease have proven successful in a variety of circumstances, though proper home care following any treatment is integral for its continued success. Periodontists try the most conservative approach first and monitor healing before moving to more complex or invasive treatments. While it requires your cooperation and investment, with treatment, the ravages of gum disease can be prevented when intercepted early enough and repaired when necessary. Call your dentist today to make sure your teeth and gums don’t succumb to gum disease.
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