Periodontics focuses on diagnosing and treating issues that affect gum tissues and the other structures that support teeth. They provide a wide range of treatments, from restorative treatments for periodontal disease to cosmetic treatments aimed at improving the aesthetics of a person’s smile.
Here are a few of the popular treatments used in periodontics to address issues like gum disease.
Root scaling and planing is a more thorough version of a conventional teeth cleaning. It involves removing plaque, bacteria, and tartar from teeth and their roots. The procedure also includes polishing teeth roots afterward to reduce the rate of tartar accumulation.
Also known as deep cleaning, scaling and root planing is often broken up into multiple treatments to make recovery easier on patients. The procedure involves pulling back gum tissues to clean teeth roots, which can cause discomfort that lasts a few days.
Lasers are less invasive when treating gum disease. For example, using a laser to remove bacteria and tartar below the gum line can be just as effective as using conventional tools, but it does not require pulling gum tissues from the teeth roots. Different types of lasers are available in periodontics, and they can be used to treat soft and hard structures in the mouth.
Mouth trays are often used for treatments like teeth cleanings, fluoride treatment, or antibiotics. After the dentist makes an impression of a patient’s mouth, it goes to a dental lab. In about two weeks, the custom tray will be sent to the dentist to be given to the patient.
Teeth roots can be exposed due to issues like gum recession. Roots are vulnerable to decay because they are not covered with enamel, but rather cementum, which is not as durable. Exposed teeth roots can also affect the way that a person’s smile looks.
Gum grafts can be performed to help cover up exposed teeth roots. The procedure usually involves taking donor tissues from other parts of the mouth and using them to cover up exposed teeth roots.
This procedure is usually recommended when the bone structures supporting teeth have been damaged by issues like gum disease. It helps reverse the damage by removing the disease-causing bacteria in the area. Bone grafts or proteins that stimulate the production of healthy bone tissues are added to the site after removing the bacteria there.
Excessive gum tissues can affect the appearance of a person’s smile. The condition is also known as "a gummy smile," and it makes teeth appear abnormally short. Crown lengthening can be used to remove excess bone and gum tissues around teeth, making them appear longer.
Are you dealing with issues like periodontal disease? Give us a call, or stop by our location in Bowie to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gatewaydental.org or call Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS at (301) 485-7492 for an appointment in our Bowie office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Periodontics in Bowie, MD.
Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that prioritizes issues that affect the gums and the bone structures that hold teeth in place. It also includes replacing missing teeth with restorations like implants. Periodontics favors implants because these are the only teeth replacement options that replace teeth roots. Other oral prosthetics, like dentures and bridges, only…
Periodontics is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of treatments and procedures related to periodontal, or gum, health. If a general dentist has diagnosed gum disease, they will recommend the proper treatment to restore the patient's gum health.Periodontal therapy may not always include surgery. For example, periodontic treatments like scaling and root planing…
Have you ever been let down by the quality of care you received during a dental visit? Unfortunately, this may be an experience for some patients who are seeking periodontics treatment. The good news is that there are ways to help ensure you choose the right dentist for your periodontics treatment needs.You can help ensure…
Periodontics is an important part of overall oral health care, and it is essential to take proper care of your gums on a daily basis. By understanding what periodontics is and when to seek periodontic treatment, you can ensure that your gums are well cared for and good oral health is maintained.The supporting structures of…
The ideal shade of white targeted during teeth whitening treatments is a few shades lighter than the white of the patient’s eyes. Whitening treatments can make teeth whiter than that, but the results typically would not look natural compared to the rest of the patient’s physical features. Teeth whitening treatments aim to get the patient…
A dental bridge is an option for those who have lost teeth and need to fill in that space to complete their smile or bite. The procedure involves crowns being placed on supporting teeth (known as abutment teeth) that are fused with your missing tooth or teeth by what's called an implant post. The tooth-replacement…