If you have red, swollen, sensitive, bleeding, or receding gums, you may require periodontal treatment. At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we provide a number of treatment options to help you combat these symptoms and stop the further advancement of periodontal disease (gingivitis-infected and bleeding gums + bone loss around teeth). We have been helping the families living in Scottsdale, Arizona and surrounding areas, including Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix, improve the health of their gums!
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Our dentist, Dr. Beth Vander Schaaf, has a preventative care approach to helping you avoid the onset of gum and periodontal disease. Our periodontal treatments include:
Scaling and root planing is a deep-cleaning procedure, which is required to treat early to advanced gum disease. Scaling removes hardened bacteria and tartar above and below the gum line. Root planing will smooth the tooth roots, helping to prevent further accumulation of bacteria and tartar. Scaling and root planing may require more than one dental appointment, and local anesthesia may be necessary depending on the severity of your gum disease or if you have receding gums.
Antibiotics/antimicrobials are sometimes recommended or required if you have gingivitis as it is caused by a bacterial infection. Your dentist may prescribe local or oral antibiotics/antimicrobials to help control or eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. Antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or gels, which are applied between your gums and teeth after deep cleaning to prevent further bacteria and tartar build-up.
A bite adjustment procedure may be performed to correct the imperfect positioning of the teeth. The bite adjustment procedure may require one or more appointments. A follow-up appointment may be required to check your bite again, and if required at that time, your dentist will make further adjustments. Your dentist may also provide occlusal and or nightwear only appliances to help prevent (further) bone destruction and loss around the teeth.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is mostly caused by poor oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to prevent plaque and tartar formation and build-up, which leads to gum disease. Gingivitis can be reversed by practicing good oral hygiene, but if left untreated, it can lead to a serious and irreversible form of gum disease called periodontitis.
Perio protect trays are used to treat gum disease more comfortably. They deliver hydrogen peroxide gel below the gumline in an FDA cleared medical device tray, which helps to reduce infection and inflammation. These trays are easy to use; you just need to wear them for a few minutes a day as a part of home care between your dental visits. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it to the lab to make a customized, FDA approved medical tray set of PerioProtect trays for you. The use of these trays not only improves your gum disease situation but also lightens your teeth!
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we use high-quality and effective Ezlase diode lasers to treat your gum disease. Our laser gum treatment involves the following steps:
Laser gum treatment procedure offers various benefits, including:
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we can treat these gum/periodontal conditions using Ezlase diode laser:
Also, we offer laser cleaning to prevent periodontal disease.
Gum disease is the inflammation (gingivitis) and infection of the gums around teeth. When the bone is involved, it is called periodontal disease, and the supporting bone of the teeth is affected. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Gum disease is common and can be reversible with good oral hygiene and proper treatment.
If not treated on time, then gum disease may result in severe periodontal problems and can lead to a tooth loss. One needs routine dental care. Gum disease does not hurt, so one cannot “feel” this happening as there is no pain involved until it is a major issue!
People are often not aware that they have gum disease, as it may develop without showing any symptoms. However, the common warning signs of gum disease are:
The common risk factors for gum diseases include:
The different stages of gum disease include:
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums caused by plaque and tartar build-up. If you do not brush and floss regularly and properly, the leftover food particles and bacteria produce toxins, which can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. If you have this condition, your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. However, practicing good oral hygiene can reverse this condition.
During this stage, the surrounding tissues and bone that hold your teeth in position are infected. A pocket might be formed below the gum line, which attracts food and plaque. Professional dental treatment and proper home care can prevent further damage.
The surrounding tissues and bone that hold your teeth are damaged or destroyed, which may result in shifting or loose teeth. This may affect your bite and lead to oral and general health conditions. Aggressive periodontal treatment is required to treat advanced periodontal disease. Otherwise, you will lose your teeth.
Periodontal disease is common, but it needs to be diagnosed and treated on time. Otherwise, it can grow further and contribute to serious health complications, including:
The cost of periodontal treatment varies depending on the type of procedure and the severity of your condition. At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we believe that everyone deserves quality and affordable dental care. We work with major health insurance providers to help you receive affordable dental treatments. We also offer an in-house plan to provide you dental treatments with reduced rates. We also work lending partners, like GreenSky and CareCredit, to give our patients another affordable way to pay for their dental care.
Our dental team will help you make an informed decision by discussing all our financial options.You can always rely on Smile Arizona Dentistry for high-quality and affordable dental services.
Contact us today or schedule an appointment with us if you are looking for a dentist that offers periodontal therapy.
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