Half of all Americans aged 30 and over have periodontitis, the most advanced form of inflammatory gum disease. Without prompt treatment, this type of periodontal disease puts you at risk for tooth loss and other health concerns if the infection spreads through your body. MariaElena Rodriguez, DDS, and Perry R. Klokkevold, DDS, MS, FACD, at PermaDent® Dental Implant Center have years of experience utilizing effective periodontal treatment. To receive exceptional periodontal care, call our office in Torrance, California.
Periodontal disease is gum disease that can begin with gingivitis and can also be hereditary. Gingivitis develops when bacteria and plaque remain on your teeth, a problem that appears without regular or proper brushing.
When gingivitis goes untreated, plaque can spread below the gum line. Then the bacteria can irritate the gums and cause ongoing inflammation, causing a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis.
Over time, periodontitis breaks down the gum and bone supporting your teeth. Gums may separate from your teeth, forming spaces between the teeth and gums called pockets.
As periodontitis progresses, the pockets become infected, and damage to your gum and bone continues. Over time, this leads to tooth loss.
One of the earliest signs of gum disease is bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. You may also develop:
When your gums start to recede due to periodontitis, you may not see the change in your gums, but you notice your teeth look longer.
At PermaDent Dental Implant Center, we concentrate on teaching advanced oral hygiene techniques because, not only is it a proven path to gum disease prevention, but it is critical in the success and longevity of dental implants.
The best and most predictable dental outcomes — healthy gums and prevention of periodontitis — are achieved by using the advanced at-home oral hygiene techniques we recommend, visiting your dental hygienist as recommended, and having a dental check-up every six to twelve months.
During your initial visit, we perform a comprehensive periodontal oral exam, including assessing your gums, bite, bone structure, and plaque. Wee also routinely perform oral cancer screenings and devote time to answering your questions and teaching you about how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Depending on the stage and severity of the problem, your periodontal treatment may include non-surgical periodontal treatment such as:
Scaling removes tartar and planing gets rid of rough areas on the tooth root where bacteria can stick.
After you’ve had the initial treatment for periodontal disease, your provider may prescribe periodontal maintenance cleanings. These cleanings are deeper and more extensive than the teeth cleaning you receive at a routine six-month dental check-up.
During your maintenance cleaning, we remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line and along the length of each tooth. Scaling and planing are performed if needed.
You’re also monitored for signs of pocket formation and inflammation, and early treatment is implemented to prevent the worsening of your periodontal disease.
After scaling and root planing, we may apply antibacterial medication to the area and recommend a medicated mouth rinse to prevent plaque buildup. In severe infections, you may need oral antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria.
Severe periodontitis may require surgery at PermaDent Dental Implant Center, such as:
Our team of dental specialists provides the very best in periodontal treatment, but if your tooth (or multiple teeth) is not salvageable, we may recommend removing the tooth, a procedure called tooth extraction. In this case, we recommend tooth replacement options, such as a dental implant.
If you notice early signs of periodontal disease such as bleeding when you brush your teeth, call us at PermaDent Dental Implant Center to schedule an appointment.