non surgical periodontal therapy

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy for Gum Disease

Lakewood Dental provides non-surgical periodontal therapy for gum disease.  The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth.

Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return them to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you’re having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

Signs of Gum Disease
It is important to visit your dentist for a complete exam if you experience any of the following symptoms:

● Sore, inflamed or receding gums
● Bleeding while brushing or flossing
● Loose teeth
● Presence of bad breath
● Pockets between the gums and tooth

In cases where gingivitis is not treated early, it can advance to periodontal disease, which can not be reversed, but only maintained. Inflammation affects the soft tissue (gums) and teeth, creating pockets between them. If left untreated, the pockets become deep and cause teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.

Treatment

A common solution for controlling periodontal disease is a deep dental cleaning, also referred to as “scaling and root planing”. While the procedure is usually painless, in some cases, your dentist may recommend numbing the area for comfort. Scaling is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surfaces, and root planing is smoothing the root surfaces.

Once reaching an advanced stage, periodontitis cannot be completely reversed. With proper at-home care combined with regular in-office maintenance, your dentist can prevent the disease from progressing and leading to tooth loss. Daily flossing is crucial to preventing and treating periodontal disease.

Gingivitis Treatment
What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a disease that can cause significant tooth and gum deterioration, or periodontal disease. A buildup of plaque and tartar allows bacteria to grow on the surfaces of the teeth. The bacteria will cause your gums to become inflamed and bleed. If left untreated, the condition will progress and worsen.

Treatment for gingivitis is simple and performed right at your dental office. Scaling and planing is performed without any anesthesia. While the procedure is usually painless, advanced stages of gingivitis may make it necessary to numb the area for comfort. Scaling is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surfaces, and root planing is smoothening the root surfaces and removing the infected tooth structure.