Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that penetrates into the gums and into the bone around your teeth, causing inflammation. Periodontal inflammation leads to bone loss and possibly tooth loss and may contribute to other medical conditions.

The periodontal infection must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There are generally two levels of treatment for this condition depending upon the severity of your infection.

Scaling and Root Planing

The upper level of infection in the pockets around your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This procedure is called, “Scaling and Root Planing,” “Phase One Treatment” or “Initial Therapy.” It is done under local anesthesia and is quite different from the routine dental cleaning or “deep cleaning” that is traditionally done in the general dentist’s office.

Surgical Therapy

If your infection has spread into the bone that supports your teeth and is below the level that can be reached with Phase I treatment, an additional procedure is necessary to reach and remove this deeper infection.

Traditionally, a surgical procedure would be performed to retract the gums and remove the deeper infection. Although this is still a very effective treatment option, we now have an minimally invasive treatment option that uses a laser to eliminate the disease with no cutting or sutures. If you are a candidate for Laser Periodontal Therapy, treatment can actually be as effective than traditional therapy.

Click here to learn more about Laser Periodontal Therapy.

When periodontal disease reaches this lower level, it dissolves the bone around the teeth and can lead to bone loss. Once the infection has been removed, the damaged area may be repaired with a procedure called Bone Grafting.

Periodontal Disease is similar to other chronic diseases, such as Diabetes. The key to control is early diagnosis and treatment, followed by prompt ongoing treatment. This entails periodontal maintenance procedures (PMP).  PMP will help in gaining control of the disease and increase your chances of keeping your teeth.

If not cleaned out every 3 months, periodontal bacteria can grow to a point where bone loss starts to occur again. This is why 3 month periodontal cleanings are very important.

Periodontal Maintenance Visit

Your Periodontal Maintenance visit will include:

• An update of your medical & dental history
• A periodontal examination & measurement of your periodontal pockets
• An oral cancer screening
• Dental Cleaning (deeper than that done at a general dental office)
• Oral hygiene instructions

Team Approach

We work together with your general dentist as a team to provide you with the best possible care. Many times periodontal cleanings will be alternated between our office and your general dentist. During the cleaning at your general dentist’s office, they will concentrate on what is happening with your teeth above the gum line. When you see our office, we will concentrate mostly on what is happening below the gums.

On-going PMP treatments in our office and dental visits and cleanings with your dentist will ensure your optimum oral health and highest possible care.

To prevent re-infection and avoid more periodontal treatment, it is quite important that you follow the periodontal maintenance program set out by your periodontist and your general dentist.

Patient Education

Approximately 75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal disease. When your gums and bone are damaged by periodontal infection, there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears, your teeth first become loose and then can be lost. When your dentist recommends periodontal treatment, it is important to get started right away.

There are also medical consequences to periodontal disease. Click here to learn more.

Natural Teeth Must Be Replaced

If the periodontal inflammation continues, you can start to lose your teeth, one at a time. These lost teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as:

• Dental implants
• Bridges
• Partial dentures (see below)
• Full dentures (see below)

Dentures

If tooth loss continues, it can cause you to need dentures. Many patients do not understand the full consequences of wearing dentures. There can be many problems with dentures including:

In most cases the progress of periodontal infection can be stopped with prompt treatment. The gums and bone around your teeth can then be saved from further damage.

The word “periodontal” means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease, pyorrhea or periodontal infection) is an ongoing bacterial infection in the gums and bone around your teeth. This infection leads to an inflammation under the gums, and if not treated, this inflammation can destroy the bone around your teeth. This results in tooth loss. Approximately 75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal infection.

Research has also associated periodontal infection to several serious medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes and stroke (see the The Consequences of Periodontal Disease section). As ongoing research continues to define how periodontal disease is associated with these and other health problems, oral health maintenance is essential. Periodontal health is a key component to a healthy body.

What is an “Ongoing Infection”?

Have you ever had a sliver of wood caught under the skin of your hand? Because the wound is open to bacteria, the site may become infected and so appear red and inflamed. In time, your immune system fights off the bacteria and your hand heals.

During an ongoing infection, however, your immune system is unable to conquer the bacteria on its own and the pain and redness continue to worsen.

Periodontal disease is an ongoing infection in the pockets around your teeth. You cannot fight off the infection alone, but with periodontal therapy, we are able to remove debris and bacteria from the site allowing the gum to heal as your hand had.

What Can Cause a “Burst” of Infection Activity?

People with periodontal disease have low resistance to periodontal bacteria. This causes an ongoing gum infection that grows in “bursts” of activity. Each time it grows, more support for your teeth is lost. Some factors that can cause a “burst” of activity are:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Dental plaque
• Smoking
• Genetic factors
• Stress or tension
• Diet
• Age
• Illness

Getting Periodontal Infection Treated Right Away

When your infection has a burst of activity, or when there are signs that this is about to occur, your general dentist may recommend you see a periodontist.

Symptoms of Periodontal Infection

Periodontal infection is usually painless until it reaches an advanced stage. However, there are some symptoms which can indicate the presence of periodontal infection.

These include:

• Red or swollen gums
• Bleeding when brushing (pink toothbrush), or at other times
• Aching, itchy, sore or tender gums
• Receding gums (teeth beginning to look longer)
• Pus between your teeth and gums when you press down on the gums
• Bad breath
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures
• Loose, separating or protruding teeth
• Spaces between teeth

If you notice any of the above warning signs of periodontal infection, please contact your general dentist or our office directly and ask for a periodontal evaluation.

Important Note: Your gums can look and feel quite normal and yet deep pockets of periodontal infection can still be present. To be certain about any periodontal disease, ask your dentist or Dr. Chandra to examine your gums for signs of infection.

Who is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Many periodontists have also taken advanced training in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including 2 to 3 additional years of education beyond dental school.

Periodontists also provide other treatments, such as dental implants, crown lengthening, bone regeneration and gum recession (see the Procedures section for more information on these procedures).