Gum Disease Treatment

I will not be exaggerating when I say that our mouth is a very busy people with millions of bacteria constantly on the move. While some bacteria are harmless, others attack our teeth and gums causing a colorless stick film which is called plaque. Plaque is the cause of all gum diseases and when left unchecked, plaque starts building up on the teeth (tarter) which irritates the gum and causes it to bleed. If this is not removed by a dentist as brushing does not remove tarter once it has accumulated sufficiently, bone and the connective tissue are destroyed which causes the teeth to become loose and may have to be removed eventually.

It is always better to visit a dentist once in 6 months for a routine check up. The sooner the disease is identified, the easier is the form of treatment. Here is some of the description that the dentists undertake to treat gum disease depending on the degree to which the disease has spread.

Non Surgical Treatments

It has always been recommended that all gum disease treatment should be the least invasive and done in the most cost effective manner. The non surgical forms of treatments include scaling and root planing which is the process of cleaning the root surface to remove tartar from gums and also to smoothen the root of the tooth to remove any bacterial toxins. Most doctors believe that most patients do not require any form of active treatment after scaling and root planning. They will however, require regular maintenance to maintain good gum health.

Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal surgery is required when the doctor determines that the unhealthy tissue around the teeth cannot be treated using non surgical treatment methods. The four common types of surgical treatments commonly used are:

• Soft tissue Grafts: Due to gum disease or excessive brushing, the roots of the gum can become exposed. Tissue grafts will help repair the damage and prevent any additional loss of bone and tissue.
• Regenerative Procedures: This procedure is recommended when the bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed. Here, the gum tissue is folded back to remove the bacteria that causes the diseases. Bone grafts or tissue stimulating proteins are administered to encourage the body to grow bones and tissues.
• Pocket Reduction Procedures: The teeth is well snuggled between the bone and gum tissue. When a patient develops gum disease, the supporting tissue and bone is destroyed forming ‘pockets’ around the teeth. Over a period of time, these pockets can become bigger and bacteria will accumulate in these pockets. The doctor removes the bacteria and secures the tissue in place. Further, irregular surface of the bone is also removed to help the gum tissue reattach to the gum tissue faster.
• Crown Lengthening: In this procedure, excess of gum and bone tissue is reshaped in a manner so that more of natural teeth is exposed. Although, this is predominantly a cosmetic procedure to increase the beauty of smile if the gum covers too much of the teeth, it is also performed in cases where the exposed tooth has decayed or broken along the gum line and the tooth has to be restored.

Laser Treatments

As per the research conducted, if laser is used along with scaling and root planing, the procedures are usually more effective. Further, when laser is used during the surgical procedures, the patient experiences less bleeding, discomfort and swelling. However, care should be taken while using laser as laser beams used at an incorrect wavelength or power can damage the tissues during the procedures.

Dental Implants

In the advanced stages of the gum disease, there may arise a need to have a tooth or a couple of teeth removed. In such cases, after the tooth is removed, you can have an artificial tooth root placed into your jaw that will hold the replacement tooth. These implants are an excellent option for people who in general have good oral health but may have lost a tooth due to gum disease or some kind of injury.

For good dental and periodontal health it is very import to brush and floss daily. They should be an integral part of a regular at home self care plan. Remember that a good smile will always boost your confidence and will get your through the toughest of situations with great ease. Keep smiling!