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.
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