Periodontitis is a common disease among Americans and millions of people suffer from it during their lifetime. The primary reason for getting periodontitis is oral hygiene, but there can also be other causes. Given how common it is, many people out there are unsure about how it is dealt with and what exactly happens when you go to a dentist for periodontal gum disease treatment. In this article, we will talk about all the different steps one goes through when they decide to get themselves periodontitis treatment.
Identification of Mild or Severe Periodontal Disease
Before turning into the severe form of gum disease that is periodontitis, the earliest of gum disease stages is gingivitis. This is an easily treatable disease, even by yourself, and does not require surgical intervention in most cases. However, that depends entirely on how well your immune system works and how quickly you can identify it.
Once things get beyond that point, the more severe periodontitis stages start to show. Treatment options at this stage also vary as it progresses, and you can be looking at anything from a basic scaling and root planing treatment to more invasive options like flap surgery, bone grafting, and more.
How to Check if You Need Advanced Periodontal Disease Treatment
A qualified periodontal dentist like Laser Dentistry Near Me can tell you exactly what stage you are at and suggest the most appropriate treatment plan. As for the symptoms themselves, they can include any of the following:
– Gum recession
– Tooth loss or loosening
– Sensitivity in teeth
– Constant bad breath
– Periodontal pocket formation
– Swelling and bleeding in the gums
If you feel any of these symptoms, we strongly recommend you visit your dentist immediately for a thorough checkup.
How to Prepare for Periodontal Gum Treatment
Your dentist will advise you on what changes you may need to make to your routine and if you need to stop taking any specific medication. You will also need to avoid consuming alcohol or smoking at least 24 hours prior to your treatment. As for the logistics of the visit, it is best to have someone accompany you or at least be present to pick you up once your treatment is done. This is because of the sedatives that may be used during treatment, as they can make you less alert.
Going Through the Periodontal Surgery Procedures
Depending on the condition that you are in and your gum infection symptoms, you may require one or multiple procedures. Your dentist will offer you different procedure options depending on your requirements. For most people who have advanced periodontitis, the following two options will come up:
– Flap Surgery: This treatment requires making tiny cuts in your gums to expose the area where you have infection and cleaning it thoroughly. The dentist will remove all the plaque and tartar present in and around the area and then suture the gums back into their position.
– Laser Therapy: An increasingly popular alternative to the above treatment, this option also involves the same cleaning process. However, what makes this special is that the dentist will be using a laser to clean all the infection from your gums and teeth. Lasers provide a highly focused treatment which is far more effective and much more sterile. However, to be successful, this treatment requires a certified dentist like Laser Dentistry Near Me to make sure the process is performed carefully and the infection is removed completely.
Depending on how much the infection has spread, you may require one or two visits to remove the infected tissue completely.
Supplementary Treatments for Gingivitis and Periodontitis
For people who have too much gum or bone damage from this disease, a basic periodontal cleaning may not be enough. Further treatment may be required to bring the teeth to their former glory, and this can include any of the following:
– Bone Grafting: When periodontitis goes untreated for too long, people can face bone loss, which could lead to teeth falling out. To prevent that from happening, your dentist may introduce a bone graft to provide structural support to your teeth.
– Gum Tissue Grafting: Receding gums are a much more common symptom of periodontitis and fully reversing gum disease means you need to add gum tissue to complete the look. This involved adding tissue to your gums where needed and then having them naturally cover your teeth to remove all signs of gum recession.
FAQs for Dental Periodontal Treatment
- How do I know if I have periodontal disease?
There are clear signs of periodontal disease, including receding gums, bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, bad breath, and tooth and bone loss in severe cases.
- How soon can I schedule my surgery after the treatment consultation?
Most surgeries can be scheduled within a day after a consultation if the schedule allows and emergency treatments can also be started immediately.
- How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent the need for periodontal disease treatment is by brushing and flossing regularly and seeing your dentist at least twice a year.
Concluding Perio Gum Treatment
Periodontal disease can severely affect your oral health and also take away your confidence. Treating it promptly is your only option and to make the process as painless as possible, we strongly recommend getting laser gum disease treatment. For the residents of Texas, Laser Dentistry Near Me offers incredible services and you can easily get yourself an appointment using their online booking portal. If you want to ask specific questions, you can also get in touch with them directly via their phone number or online chat tool.
