Periodontal Care
Oral hygiene is necessary for eliminating bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria builds to form plaque that can harden and lead to long-term ailments such as gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, and periodontal disease if it is not removed can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. The three stages of gum disease — from least to most severe — are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.
Symptoms of Periodontitis Or Gum Disease
A very high percentage of people suffer from gum disease. One in four people have had periodontal problems at some time in their life. Gum disease can be painless, so it is important to be aware of any of the following symptoms:
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Swollen, red, tender or bleeding gums
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Persistent bad breath or bad taste in mouth
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Gums have an “achy” feeling
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Gums that recede or move away from the tooth
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Teeth are loose or seem to be looking taller (longer)
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Loose teeth
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Visible pus surrounding the teeth and gums
If you observe any of the above symptoms, please give us a call for a consultation with Dr. Vasani.
Periodontal Concerns, Procedures & Care
Periodontal concerns can extend beyond gum disease to include gum recession and bruxism (teeth grinding).
The following is a list of periodontal care options we offer:
Scaling & Root Planing
One of the earliest signs of gum disease is deep pockets forming around the tooth. Scaling and root planing is one of the gum surgery alternatives available at our practice and works to eradicate plaque and tartar buildup causing the pockets, and smooths out the surface of the teeth. This allows the gum tissue to properly reattach to the tooth structure.
Osseous Surgery
Also known as flap surgery, this gum disease treatment works to decrease pocket depth and makes it easier to keep the teeth clean. The gum tissue is lifted away to provide direct access to the tooth and the surface is cleaned and smoothed. Next, the bone surrounding the affected tooth is smoothed to ensure proper healing. Stitches are then placed to hold the gum tissue in position as it heals. Osseous surgery is usually performed after scaling and root planing has been attempted.
Gingival Recession
Receding gums or gingival recession happens when the gums retract from the tooth, leaving a portion of the tooth root exposed. This condition can cause increased tooth sensitivity, and increase the risk of decay, infection and tooth loss. This is due to the absence of the protective layer of gum tissue overtop of the tooth root. It is best to treat receding gums soon rather than later, as the condition will only worsen over time without the proper intervention.
Bruxism Or Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding, is the condition of forcefully sliding the chewing surfaces of the bottom teeth over the chewing surfaces of the top teeth, generally in a sideways, back-and-forth movement. Bruxism is often accompanied by clenching which is tightly clamping the top and bottom teeth together. People who grind and clench their teeth are referred to as bruxers and they unintentionally bite down very forcefully subconsciously.
Symptoms of bruxism include:
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Pain or discomfort around the ears when yawning or chewing
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Jaw muscles that are tight or painful, especially in the morning.
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Dull morning headaches
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Rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles.
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Teeth grinding, which may be loud enough to annoy a sleeping partner.
Implants
Dental implants are a wonderful solution for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is made of a titanium post that’s embedded into your jawbone. The post mimics a real tooth root, keeping your jaw strong. Your post will be capped with a porcelain crown, which looks, feels, and acts like a natural tooth. Dental implants are stable, reliable, durable, and long-lasting with proper care.
Bridges
When a tooth is missing between two crowns, the gap can be filled with a dental bridge. A bridge is a single set of two crowns with a tooth connected between them. The two outside crowns are set over teeth on either side, anchoring the bridge and holding the center tooth in place. The result is three permanent, functioning teeth with no gaps between them.