Periodontal Services
What is Periodontal Disease?
If you are suffering from red, swollen, or tender gums, you may have periodontal disease. Left untreated, it may lead to inflammation, bleeding, recession and eventually tooth loss. Early diagnosis and treatment can preserve the health of your teeth and gums.
Gum Disease & Your Health
- Patients with diabetes are more likely to get gum disease than patients without diabetes.
- Diabetic patients with gum disease may have a harder time controlling their blood sugar until their gum disease is under control.
- Patients with periodontal disease are more at risk for heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia.
- Women with periodontal disease are more likely to have preterm or low birth weight babies.
- Men with gum disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.
- Men with periodontal disease, especially either younger than 30 or older than 70, are more likely to experience erectile difficulties.
The Stages of Periodontal Disease
Inflammation from bacteria may cause gums to be red, swell, and bleed. If you have any of these symptoms, we highly recommend you seek treatment as soon as possible. A general dentist can usually intervene when the disease is in the gingivitis stage.
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to the next stage. Periodontitis occurs when gums begin to separate from the teeth leading to infected pockets. Toxins from the bacteria combined with the body’s response to the infection can erode supporting bone and tissue, eventually causing tooth loss. Treatment from a Periodontist is required at this stage.
Periodontal Treatments
As the most common non-surgical method to treat gum disease before it becomes severe, scaling and root planing reaches where flossing and brushing cannot. A special dental tool is used during the procedure to get under the gums to the roots to remove the bacteria and tartar that have gathered below the gum line.
GUIDED BONE & TISSUE REGENERATION
Guided regeneration can help you regain a healthy gum line and bone structure. Our specialists surgically position barrier membranes under your gums to promote healthy tissue growth and bone regeneration.
A ridge augmentation is often performed following a tooth extraction to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw. Rebuilding the original height and width of the alveolar ridge (bone surrounding tooth roots) may be required for dental implant placement, or for aesthetic purposes.
SINUS LIFT/AUGMENTATION
Sinus lift/augmentation raises the sinus floor to allow for new bone formation in the upper jaw. Bone is added to the floor of the maxillary sinus to prepare this area for implant placement.
An abnormally prominent frenum, the small tissue fold in your mouth that connects your lower gums to the bottom of your tongue or that connects your upper and lower gums to your lip, may have a negative impact on teeth, gums, and the supporting bone structure. A frenectomy is a short surgery, typically about 15 minutes, to reduce the frenum for a healthier long-term oral environment.
POCKET REDUCTION SURGERY
Pocket reduction surgery, sometimes referred to as osseous surgery or gingivectomy, refers to a number of different surgeries aimed at gaining access to the tooth roots to remove tartar and disease-causing bacteria. This approach can reduce bacterial spread, prevent bone loss, enhance the smile, and facilitate more effective home hygiene care.
Connect With Us
We look forward to meeting you. Call (314) 434-2101 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We'll be in touch soon.
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