Posts Tagged ‘periodontal disease treatment’

Different Options Available For Periodontitis Treatment

Seeking periodontitis treatment immediately before the condition worsens does more than just save your pearly whites but also steer you away from life threatening medical conditions.  According to studies, periodontitis have been linked to cardiovascular diseases, strokes and aggravates pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes.  There are different treatment available, depending on the severity of the periodontal disease you are experiencing.  A quick visit to the dentist will help you determine the right treatment for your periodontal disease.  Here are just a few options offered by dentists and periodontists.  While most of them are a bit pricey, they are guaranteed to spare you from eventual teeth loss as well as from possible health risks associated with gum diseases.

Scaling and root planing is an often uncomfortable periodontal disease treatment involving scraping away of the tartar from  the base of the teeth.  Depending on the depth of the pockets formed between the teeth and the gums, your dentist or dental surgeon may first probe deep into these pockets to remove tartar that has formed along or within the gumline.  As the toxins emitted by the bacteria found in the tartar eats away the tissues surrounding the teeth, removing them right away can prevent teeth loss and further inflammation of the gums.  However, in cases where the tartar has burrowed deep into the gumline, a surgical removal of the tartar may be necessary.

A flap surgery involves cutting and peeling the gum tissue to expose the entire tooth and to thoroughly remove the tartar that has accumulated deep into the gumline.  In cases where the gums have receded, dentists may employ gum grafting to cover the exposed tooth and reinforce it back to the bone cavity.  It also keeps the bacteria out to avoid reinfection.  Scaling and planing is still part of the surgical process to avoid reoccurence of the periodontal disease.  Your dentist will also prescribe antibacterial medication in form of an antiseptic mouthwash or medicated toothpaste to aid in the healing of the gum tissues.

Laser periodontal disease treatment is a more recent development in treating periodontitis.  A light sedative may be required to avoid any discomfort during the treatment process.  This treatment uses a flexible fiber optic to access the pockets in the gumline and burn away the infected tissues as well as bacteria.  Once the bacteria has been removed, a special instrument is then used to compress the gum tissue against the root surface.  The only downside with laser treatments is that they require several sessions to complete, depending on the severity of the gum infection.  While it may be a bit costly compared to the other options available, the healing process is faster, usually within 24 hours after treatment.