Periodontics

                Periodontics                                             back to home

                                                 Are your gums getting the respect they deserve?

They will... now that you have entrusted your gum care in our safe hands!

What is periodontal disease / gum disease?

The word periodontal literally means around the tooth. Periodontal diseases also known as gum diseases are some of the most common infections in the world next to respiratory infections! One major problem is that periodontal disease is usually painless, with few obvious symptoms in its early stages. If left untreated, periodontal disease can eventually result in tooth loss. In fact, periodontal diseases are now the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Despite the number of people infected with this disease, most believe they don't have them.
Despite all these facts, periodontal diseases are also some of the most preventable diseases, you need to understand what causes them, practice good oral health habits and seek regular professional case.

Who is a periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training, including three additional years of education beyond dental school.
Periodontists are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. In addition, they can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures to help you achieve the smile you desire.

 

What causes gum disease?

                                The main cause of these diseases is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed on a daily basis it can turn into a hard substance called calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, the bacteria in plaque produce toxins (or poisons) that can destroy the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth .As the diseases progress, the gums around the tooth becomes loose and separates away from the tooth resulting in deep areas called pockets. As these pockets deepen, more gum tissue and bone are destroyed and the teeth eventually become loose. If periodontal diseases are not treated, the teeth may need to be removed.

What are the warning signs of gum disease?

Reddening of gums, bleeding gums, pus draining from the gums, increased spacing between the teeth, loosening of teeth and a recent increase in the length of the teeth are some of the common symptoms of gum disease.
Don't let periodontal disease take away your smile! We sincerely hope you do not have any of the above but if you answered yes to any of these questions, consult us right away -- and help save your natural teeth. We will be happy to schedule you for a comprehensive evaluation of your periodontal health.

How is gum disease detected?

A general dentist or periodontist during regular examinations can easily detect periodontal disease. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and the treatment of gum disease.
A periodontal charting will be performed for all teeth. An instrument called the periodontal probe, with ruled millimeter makings is used to measure the depth of the.space between the teeth and gums. Ideally, normal measurement ranges between 1 and 3mm.Depths greater than this may signify the presence of periodontal pockets and associated gum disease. X rays will also be taken to see the extent of bone damage that has occurred.

Is there a cure?

The good news is that periodontal disease is preventable and treatable if diagnosed at the right time .We at FMS, provide you with professional care in our office and instructions on proper home care. Our periodontist would welcome the opportunity to carefully evaluate your individual situation and discuss treatment options.
The goal of periodontal treatment is to control any infection that exists and to halt progression of the disease. Depending on how advanced an individual case is, treatment may involve any of the following:

• Non Surgical treatment
• Surgical treatment

Non Surgical treatment

• Dental Cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist (prophylaxis / scaling) All the deposits which are harmful for your teeth are removed with the help of curettes and ultrasonic devices.
• Deep Cleaning (Scaling and root planing) With the help of curettes and ultrasonic devices, all the deposits which are harmful for your teeth are removed and your roots are cleaned to speed up the healing process. With the help of curettes and ultrasonic devices, all the deposits which are harmful for your teeth are removed and your roots are cleaned to speed up the healing process.

• Bite (Occlusal) Adjustment: an improper bite may increase bone destruction attached to such offending teeth. We may either choose to adjust your bite so that your teeth meet properly and function better, or construct a custom bite guard or splint ± a removable device that fits over upper or lower teeth ± to protect teeth surfaces and relax tense jaw muscles.
• Medications are used to help kill germs that cause Periodontitis or suppress the destruction of the tooth's attachment to the bone. Antibiotic gels, fibers or chips are applied directly to the infected pocket. Antibiotics may be placed in the pocket or given orally depending on the case.
• Use of x-rays and charting of the pockets to see how deep the pockets are.
• Maintain regular check-ups with your dentist (once a month up to once every 3 months or as requested by your dentist) to re-evaluate the stage of the gum disease.

Surgical Treatment

Periodontal surgery is necessary when the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment. Various surgical treatments done at FMS are:

• Curettage
• Flap surgery
• Gingivectomy
• Frenectomy
• Flap surgery with BONE GRAFTS
• Guided tissue regeneration(GTR)
• Gum Contouring

Is there any possibility of regaining the bone that is lost due to periodontal disease?

With advanced materials and techniques like bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration, it is possible to restore lost bone to some extent. Our periodontist would first assess the case and give you various treatment options depending on the situation.

What are the various advances in surgery?

Various advances in surgery include regenerative techniques where the tissues that are lost due to disease are regenerated to a certain extent. Various methods of regeneration include: Bone graft materials which are natural or synthetic substitutes to bone and a technique called Guided tissue regeneration which allows only the cells which are required for healing to reach the surgical site.

Is extraction the only treatment for mobile (loose) teeth?

Treatment for a mobile tooth depends on the severity of mobility. In teeth were the mobility is mild it can be tied together to the adjacent healthy teeth by using a wire and a tooth colored material. This procedure is called splinting. Extraction is the only option for teeth with severe mobility

How can you prevent periodontal diseases from returning?

Nothing will help you maintain the results of professional treatment better than proper home care (daily removal of plaque by proper brushing, flossing and other cleaning methods) recommended for you.
We believe in teamwork to help prevent your periodontal disease from returning. Once the disease has been arrested, a regular maintenance (cleaning) schedule will be set up for you. This will allow us to continuously assess your periodontal health. During these visits, your mouth is closely examined, new calculus and plaque are removed and your teeth are polished.

Is there a treatment for teeth which appear long and the gums seem to be pulling away?

When gum tissue recedes due to periodontal disease, it pulls away from the teeth making the teeth appear longer. Cosmetic procedures can restore some coverage and dramatically improve a person's smile.
Soft tissue grafts and other root coverage procedures cover exposed roots and restore healthy gum tissue. This will reduce further bone loss and recession, make the tooth less sensitive, protect the root from root cavities, and look more natural when you smile.

What is the treatment for gummy smile?

Teeth may appear "short" due to the relationship between their teeth and gums. This creates a "gummy" smile. A procedure called "gum contouring" is often used to remove excess gum tissue and expose more of the crown of the tooth. In fact, your gum line can be carefully sculpted to create just the right proportion between gum tissue and tooth surface -- and the result is a better looking smile.
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