Gum Disease Treatment
Basalt CO
Gum Disease Treatment provided by Dr. Marcus Blue in Basalt, CO at Blue Periodontics
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a progressive disease that should be treated at its earliest stages before it causes severe damage to your mouth. While periodontitis is preventable and even reversible in its earliest stage, it can cause a variety of oral health issues if it is left untreated. Pain, inflammation, and even tooth loss can occur if the disease is allowed to advance into its final stage. As the disease progresses, it becomes less manageable and will require more drastic medical intervention.
Our periodontal team at Blue Periodontics is experienced in treating gum disease and will help you find a solution for any ailments that you may be experiencing. If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontitis, you may be wondering what treatments are accessible to you. In this article, we will review the treatment options available at different stages of the disease.
Prevention and Treating the First Stage of Periodontitis
First, we will briefly go over methods to prevent periodontitis. You likely already know the answer to this question, as every dental specialist will tell their patients how to care for their teeth. This is simply routine oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing, as well as dental check-ups as recommended by our office. This is the best way to prevent bacterial buildups that cause gum disease.
If you do not manage to prevent periodontitis, then you will enter the first stage of the disease: gingivitis. In this stage, you will simply experience inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is the only reversible stage of periodontitis, and may even be treated by improving dental hygiene habits. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and using mouthwash.
If you do not see improvements by improving your dental hygiene routine, then consult our team immediately. We'll be able to thoroughly clean your teeth and remove any plaque build ups that are causing the gingivitis to occur.
Moderate Periodontitis Treatment Options
If the gum disease persists into its moderate stages, then non-surgical treatment options should be taken to prevent the disease from advancing. This usually involves scaling and root planing, which should be performed by a dental health professional as doing it at home can cause severe damage to the gums.
Scaling the gumline is a process that removes tartar from below the gumline. A periodontist or dentist will use a tool called a scaler, which is just a metal tool with a hook on the end, to dig into the gums and remove the tartar buildups in the gums. Planing involves using a similar tool to smooth the root of the tooth, allowing the gums to more easily reattach to the tooth and begin the healing process.
Advanced Periodontitis Treatment Options
If the tartar buildup is deep enough in the gums, then you will likely need surgical intervention like a gingivectomy, or pocket reduction surgery. A gingivectomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting away a portion of your gumline to expose the tartar buildup, allowing your periodontist to remove it more easily.
When enough of the bones supporting the teeth have been removed, you may need a bone graft to provide additional support. This surgery involves making an incision in the jaw and grafting bone material to it, allowing new bone cells to regenerate around the grafted material.
Contact Us Today!
Gum disease is a serious medical condition that may require immediate attention. If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontitis and want to know what treatment plans are available to you, call Blue Periodontics at (970) 678-3473 to schedule an appointment at your convenience.