About Periodontal Disease and Treatments
Protecting Your Gums
Periodontal disease (aka gum disease) is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. We screen all adult patients for periodontal disease prior to a cleaning. If disease is detected, we can address and treat the condition promptly and appropriately to help prevent tooth loss.
What is Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection that leads to the inflammation and destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth: the gums and the surrounding bone. The bacteria that live in the plaque and tartar that accumulates on the teeth and under the gum-line causes this infection. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. In addition to tooth loss, periodontal disease can have an effect on your overall health as recent studies have shown links to conditions such as: heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes, and pregnancy complications such as low birth weight.
Periodontal disease can range in severity from the mildest stage called gingivitis to periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis means inflammation or infection of the gums. In this stage of periodontal disease, the disease process has not involved the bone surrounding the teeth. The gums usually appear red or puffy instead of pink and firm, and the gum tissue also is more susceptible to bleeding when brushed or flossed. Gingivitis is reversible but requires professional dental cleanings on a regular basis and better brushing and flossing at home. If gingivitis is ignored, it can evolve into periodontitis.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis means inflammation or infection of both gums and bone that support the teeth. Periodontitis can range in severity to mild to severe. The gums will also usually appear red and puffy and bleed easily in the stage, but the bone is also involved. Usually periodontitis does not cause pain until more severe stages. Because periodontitis can destroy bone over time and lead to tooth loss, it is important to treat periodontal disease as early as possible.
Screening for Periodontal Disease
The screening process involves evaluating dental x-rays that check the level of bone around the teeth as well as examining the appearance of your gums. The gum tissue around each tooth will also be measured. Each tooth has a space between the gum and the bone called a periodontal pocket. A healthy pocket’s depth is usually 1-3 millimeters(mm), higher measurements (above 4mm) is an indication of periodontal disease. In addition to measuring the gum tissue, we also look for gums that are bleeding.
Periodontal Treatments
Unfortunately, periodontal disease has no cure and cannot be reversed. However, we can treat the disease and maintain the remaining bone around the teeth with the periodontal services we offer. It is important to continue with regular visits even after periodontal disease has been successfully treated as it can easily relapse even with just one missed check-up! Listed below are the treatments available at Page Dental Arts for periodontal disease:
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure that is used to treat periodontal disease. It involves numbing the affected area and using hand or ultrasonic instruments (scalers) to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from the base of the periodontal pocket. After this procedure, it is important to thoroughly brush and floss twice daily at home. The gum tissue will be re-evaluated in about one month from completion of the procedure.
The goal of this procedure is to stop the progression of the disease and heal the periodontal pocket to a more cleansable depth, therefore preventing further bone loss around the teeth. With good home care and more frequent professional dental visits, we can prevent the disease from relapsing. If significant improvement is not seen with this procedure, a referral may be given to see a gum specialist, or periodontist.
Localized Antibiotic Therapy (Arestin)
Localized antibiotic therapy may be used in conjunction with scaling and root planing to help treat periodontal disease. At Page Dental Arts, we use a product called Arestin, which is minocycline in a powder form. When the scaling and root planing procedure is completed, the affected area will be dried and Arestin will be placed at the base of the affected periodontal pocket. The powder dissolves over time and helps to prevent the bacteria from recolonizing the area, which helps to heal the area reduce the depth of the periodontal pocket. Arestin cannot be used on patients with allergies to the tetracycline family of antibiotics or on pregnant or nursing women. For more detailed information on Arestin visit their website: www.arestin.com
Periodontal Maintenance
This is a specialized cleaning that is recommended for all patients that have been treated for periodontal disease. It is more in-depth that a basic dental cleaning and involves evaluating and maintaining any areas that have been treated in the past for periodontal disease. A Periodontal Maintenance cleaning is typically recommended every 3 to 4 months. By applying this treatment, we can help prevent periodontal disease from relapsing.
Referral to a Periodontist
Patients with advanced periodontal disease or patients that do not have significant improvement with scaling and root planing may need to be referred to a periodontist (a gum specialist) for more advanced therapies. We have partnered with several very experienced periodontists in the area to help coordinate your care.