Periodontal Treatment in Wilmington, MA
Periodontal treatment looks at the health of the bones and gums that form the support structures for teeth. Numerous gum diseases can lead to tooth loss, the most common of which is gingivitis. Left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe infection of the gums that penetrates into deep tissues and may reach the jawbone. Gingivitis can be prevented or reversed by home care and visits to Wilmington Dental Studio in Wilmington. Periodontitis can be stopped but healing its damage may take in-depth treatment.
Treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis at Wilmington Dental Studio.
Periodontal disease results from an infection of the gums and deeper oral tissues around and beneath the teeth. These tissues are essential for the health of your teeth. Periodontal disease is a primary cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is insidious; that is, it’s silent and painless at onset. Gingivitis starts first, with accumulations of plaque being left in place. Plaque is sticky and full of bacteria.
Warning signs of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Swollen, tender or achy gums that bleed easily
- Bad breath and bad taste in the mouth
These are the major risk factors:
- Inconsistent or poor oral hygiene
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Chronic dry mouth or Sjogren’s Syndrome
Treatment of Gum Disease at Wilmington Dental Studio in Wilmington
Your dentist will take scans of your face, teeth, and jawbones. With x-rays and digital images, your dentist in Wilmington will know how deeply periodontal disease has spread. There are many available treatments, including
- Scaling. In the scaling process, a hand tool (called a scaler) is used to scrape below the surface, between your gums and teeth. This provides removal of tartar and eliminates bacteria.
- Root Planing. Root planing eliminates places for tartar to build up by smooth the roots.
- Antibiotics. Antibiotics help eliminate infection, giving your dentist time to remove all pockets of pus and tartar.
Surgical procedures are necessary for periodontitis. A few of these include:
- Soft tissue grafts. Receding gumlines are often the first sign of periodontitis-causing erosion of soft tissue. Grafting soft tissue into your gumline to cover the exposed roots of your teeth protects them from further damage.
- Bone grafting. When periodontitis destroys bone, it’s necessary to place harvested bone tissue in the missing spaces.
See your dentist at Wilmington Dental Studio in Wilmington for the best periodontal care. You can also avail services in surrounding locations of Burlington, Billerica, Reading, Tewksbury, Andover, Woburn, Stoneham, and Wakefield. Visit us today!