In part one of this blog series, we defined periodontal disease and some of the gum treatments our periodontists provide for patients with gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease. These include a preventative method called root planing, where we gently remove tartar from the gum line with a small metal tool called a dental scaler, and laser gum treatments, which involve the removal of bacteria and infected gum tissue without the need for local anesthesia. Both of these periodontal treatments have the potential to reverse minor gum damage by allowing the gums to naturally reattach to the freshly cleaned and disinfected teeth.
At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we also offer other kinds of periodontal treatments that pertain to those with moderate- and late-stage gum disease, or periodontitis. When the gums have receded to the point where the roots of your teeth start showing and deep pockets of bacteria begin to form, professional periodontal attention is required to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage to your gums, teeth, and jawbone.
PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS FOR GUM DISEASE
Once gingivitis has worsened to the point of periodontitis, the patient may be eligible for surgical gum treatments. Given that the roots of your teeth are not meant to be exposed, they might become very sensitive when your gums weaken and recede due to the infection. Fortunately, we have many gum treatment options available for these patients, including:
- Gingival grafts: A surgical procedure where oral tissue is taken from the cheek, the roof of the mouth, or another donor area, and added, or “grafted,” to the patient’s receding gums. This procedure aims to patch gum areas that have weakened and receded to the point of no return, where they expose the sensitive roots of the teeth. It requires the use of local anesthesia, takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour, and has proven to be an effective way of regaining gum strength due to the fact that the body is far less likely to reject its own tissue post-surgery.
- Gingivectomy: A form of oral laser surgery that rids the gums of underlying bacteria in the “pockets” that were created as a result of gum recession, as well as all the infected gum tissue. When these pockets become filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, the teeth and supporting jaw structure are at jeopardy of deteriorating, which is why it’s so important to have them cleaned out and removed. Like gingival grafts, local anesthesia is also applied during gingivectomies for the comfort of our patients.
In the event that a patient’s periodontal disease has advanced to the point of tooth loss and jawbone deterioration, among other painful and even life-threatening oral health conditions, other periodontal treatments may be required that don’t deal specifically with the gums. If you are experiencing any of these things, visit our dental clinic today and we may suggest one of the following surgical procedures:
- Crown lengthening: The surgical process of using a soft-tissue laser to trim extra gum tissue from around the missing or deteriorated teeth in order to increase the potential for restoration. Our periodontists perform this procedure when a patient’s tooth has degraded or broken to the point where it cannot host a necessary cavity filling or dental crown. Many people who suffer from gum disease require a crown lengthening procedure in order for their periodontist to provide these fillings and crowns, which help protect diseased teeth from further decay.
- Smile-In-A-Day: A surgical alternative to dentures where a periodontist removes loose, decayed teeth and replaces them with a temporary, hybrid denture that is secured to the underlying bone structure with dental implants. This stimulates the jawbone in a less invasive way, allowing natural bone regrowth and strengthening without the need for invasive bone grafts. Not only does the Smile-In-A-Day dental implant procedure fill in missing teeth, replace decayed teeth, and assist with jawbone regrowth, but it is also performed much quicker than other implant procedures, leaving our patients with a perfect smile when they leave our dental office the very same day.
Strong teeth and a sturdy, stimulated jawbone are critical for basic daily oral functions, like speaking, chewing, and drinking fluids. Smile-In-A-Day is one of the most effective tooth replacement options to date, as it closely mimics the support and stability of natural, healthy teeth. Plus, they look very similar to real teeth, making them an attractive option for people who want to feel confident in their smile while also regaining their strength.
CHOOSE TRILLIUM DENTAL FOR A PERIODONTAL TREATMENT
When it comes to pursuing a periodontal treatment for gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth loss, or jawbone decay, choose our friendly and experienced periodontists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa. As your local family dentistry provider, it is our mission to ensure that each of our patients has access to exceptional periodontal treatments that will help them heal and improve their overall quality of life. Request an appointment through our website or give us a call today!