Gum Disease & Periodontics
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Periodontics is the discipline that centers on the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases that affect the gums. With ample training, education, and experience, our Roseville dentist has fostered a following of satisfied customers in the rapidly developing arena of periodontics. As a patient preparing for periodontal disease treatment, knowing the disease and your treatment options is pivotal.
Overview
The ideal environment for periodontal disease is created when poor nutritional choices lead to plaque build-up. The build-up then encourages bacteria to infect the gums and surrounding tissues that keep the teeth positioned properly. In its often over-emphatic attempt to stave off the infection, the body will respond with chronic inflammation that separates the gums from the teeth, creating small craters that frequently become infected. Over time, the craters get deeper and tissue is destroyed. That is why it is important to see a Roseville Dentist to prevent infections. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. If no preventive action is taken against this milder, often painless precursor to periodontal disease, it will surely progress into chronic, aggressive, or even necrotizing periodontal disease.
What is a Periodontist?
Periodontists are Dentists who have established a specialization in treating periodontal diseases through training and additional education. As such, they are intimately familiar with the nuances of gum disease from prevention methods to corrective surgery. Periodontists are qualified to place implants and conduct cosmetic procedures to improve the look of a smile. Like other specialists, it is vitally important that Roseville Periodontists coordinate with your Roseville Dentist to establish effective plans of care while avoiding potentially harmful clashing of treatment methods.
People at Risk
Periodontal disease has both genetic and hygienic causes. Poor oral hygiene practices, whether it runs in the family or not, increases the likelihood of periodontal disease. As a result, the following parties are more prone to develop periodontal disease:
Anyone who does not brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly.
Smokers and chew tobacco users.
People who have heart or respiratory disease, osteoperosis, or diabetes.
The genetically prone: if a family member has been diagnosed, you are more prone to develop it as well.
Pregnant women.
Anyone who is on cancer therapy drugs, oral contraceptives, epilepsy medications or steroids.
Signs of Gum Disease
Since pain is not necessarily present with gum disease, it's of vital importance that you know the telltale signs of its development to ensure prompt prevention. The following issues in the teeth, gums, and bite indicate periodontal disease as a main cause.
They may be loose or separated.
Your bite may change as a result of the shifting and loosening of teeth.
Implants, bridges, false teeth, dentures, and other artificial additions may fall out or become uncomfortable.
Irritation causes swelling, redness, and sensitivity of the gums.
Gums may bleed while using a toothbrush or consuming hard foods.
You may develop sores around the gums that secrete pus.
Types of Treatment
When approaching periodontal disease treatment, the Periodontist or Roseville Dentist will take into account the circumstances of the patient's situation to inform the proper procedure. They will then recommend a surgical or non-surgical treatment.
Periodontal surgery is most commonly done in one of two procedures: pocket reduction and bone regeneration. Pocket reduction involves the exposing and removal of the bacteria. The gums are folded to expose the bacteria, it is removed, and the gums are then sutured. Bone regeneration involves the same procedure with the addition of bone, proteins, and other items that will kick start the body's rebuilding of bone and tissues.
Scaling and root planing is the most popular non-surgical treatment. Gums are flattened down to expose bacteria, where it is then extracted, preventing any future buildup of plaque.
If you have any questions about gum disease or periodontics, please contact your Roseville dentist today!
