Mar
4
If you have gum disease, which is also known as periodontal gum disease, it will be necessary to pay a visit to a periodontist as opposed to a dentist. A periodontist is a dentist who specialises in the treatment of gum diseases.
A periodontist will study for an additional three years to become an expert in diseases of the gum but also in the best methods for treating gum diseases.
When it comes to gum disease, the sufferer has a number of treatment options and which one you choose will be determined by the extent of damage the disease has done. Can gum disease be prevented? You’ll be surprised at how easy prevention can be.
The first level of treatment and the course of action that is recommended by periodontists is non-surgical treatment. This method is the least invasive and the most cost-effective.
Basically non-surgical treatment involves a deep cleaning of the roots of the teeth to remove any plaque or bacteria that is lurking under the gum.
Typically this procedure takes thirty to forty-five minutes. The periodontist will numb one half of the mouth and clean that side first. The treatment takes place in two parts to minimise the discomfort for the patient.
However, once the mouth is numbed there is minimum discomfort for the patient although the periodontist will advise that the mouth and gums are likely to be more sensitive in the weeks after treatment.
This deep cleaning is only the first part of non-surgical treatment. After that it is up to the patient to be vigilant in the upkeep of their teeth. Regular brushing and flossing after the treatment are essential for keeping the disease at bay.
If the tissue around your teeth is so unhealthy and damaged that the periodontist feels that non-surgical treatment is not effective enough, he will recommend surgical treatments.
There are four kinds of surgical treatments: pocket reduction procedures, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening and soft tissue grafts.
The first of these, pocket reduction procedure, involves the periodontist cleaning and filling in the loose pockets around the teeth which gum disease has caused.
Regenerative procedures are similar but the periodontist focuses on regenerating the bone tissue. Crown lengthening and soft tissue grafts are other ways to clean the gums and restore the healthy appearance of the smile.
It is also possible to opt for laser treatment to reduce the effects of swelling and bleeding. Dental implants and cosmetic treatments like the aforementioned soft tissue grafts as well as ridge augmentation are also possible options in the fight against gum disease.