Periodontal Disease Treatments that Work

Untreated gum disease can lead to early tooth loss. It is often the result of poor oral hygiene, but early stages can be reversed before serious damage occurs, and more advanced periodontal disease can be managed using a variety of professional treatments including non-surgical therapies, drugs, and invasive gum surgery. Your overall health and your history of response to earlier treatments will help your periodontist or family dentist in Peoria decide what type of treatment for gum disease will be most effective. Here are a few examples of how professional dental care can help you regain your healthy gums after periodontal disease takes hold.

Non-Surgical Treatment for Gum Disease

Non-invasive treatments for gum disease involves removing the plaque and tartar that has built up on the teeth’s surface. If you have mild periodontal disease, a simple professional teeth cleaning may be sufficient. When tartar extends beneath your gums, scaling and root planing is usually required. During these procedures, hardened tartar and bacteria is scraped away from the area beneath the gum line, and rough spots on the roots of your teeth are made smooth so that your teeth can more easily reattach to gum tissues.

Surgical Treatment for Extensive Periodontal Disease

Surgical options for treating gum disease include:

• Gum flap surgery
• Reduction of periodontal pockets
• Grafts of soft tissue
• Bone grafts or surgery
• Guided tissue regeneration

Drug Treatment for Gum Disease

Antibiotic and antimicrobial treatments may be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies; these products include oral antibiotics, mouth rinses, special toothpastes or medicine-filled chips inserted into periodontal pockets after root planing.

See Your Family Dentist in Peoria

Most periodontal procedures can be performed by a dentist or periodontist in an office setting using local anesthesia. No special preparations are required on the patient’s part. You can’t afford to neglect your oral health when affordable dental care is within your reach. Don’t wait until gum disease destroys your smile; make an appointment to see a qualified provider today.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Peoria, call Maple Shade Dental Group today or make an appointment.