Periodontitis is also referred to as advanced gum disease. It is a very common dental condition. The unfortunate consequence, when left untreated, is tooth loss. However, several successful treatment options exist for advanced periodontal infection. Losing teeth would not be the next step if you have an unhealthy gum line. Fix an appointment with Palermo Village Dental to get an idea about the treatment options for advanced periodontal disease. If you are interested to find out more about the treatment options, continue reading this blog.
Gingivitis to periodontitis:
Gum disease or gingivitis is a progressive, sneaky disease. It is the first stage of periodontitis. It occurs when you have missed removing bacterial plaque completely from the teeth. Some of the signs of the infection include bleeding, red and swollen gums. These conditions can be reversed with regular flossing and brushing as well as professional cleaning.
When the condition is not taken care of at the right time, gingivitis can develop into a severe condition referred to as periodontitis. Remember, the toxins developed from the formation of bacterial plaque affects your gum tissue as well as the ligaments and bones supporting the teeth. The infection results in disease to the supporting tissues and bone, so the teeth would consequently get loose and have to be treated or removed surgically.
Symptoms of gum disease:
Gum disease mostly remains painless. It is necessary to see whether you are experiencing any of the symptoms;
- Visible pus around the gums and teeth
- Loose teeth
- Bad taste or persistent bad breath in the mouth
- Gums move away or recede from the tooth
- Bleeding, tender, red or swollen gums
Non-surgical treatment: The first step to treat periodontitis is a non-surgical, conservative treatment referred to as SRP (scaling and root planing). The dental hygienist or dentist offers this treatment by removing and scraping the tartar and plaque off of the root surfaces and teeth. After scaling, they smooth away the roughness to avoid gathering bacteria again. This dental procedure cannot be completed in one visit. The dentist may ask you to come according to the severity and status. If you are feeling discomfort, the dentist may perform by offering local anesthesia.
At the end of this process, you can notice the curing of the gums and reattaching themselves to the clean, healthy teeth surfaces. The dentist will evaluate you after a few weeks. They will check your healing and see whether any further treatment is required.
Pocket reduction procedure:
This procedure is planned and performed after root planing and scaling. It is not possible to maintain the deep pocket space clean when the gum tissue does not fit comfortably around the tooth. The dentist would suggest flap surgery or periodontal pocket reduction surgery. The periodontist or dentist eliminates infectious bacteria and even areas of damaged bone, permitting the tissue to fix to healthy bone.
If you have received treatment for advanced periodontal disease, it is important to take meticulous care to prevent its occurrences again.