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Periodontal
Care
Problems and Treatments
Modern
Periodontal Surgery is remarkably quick and painless,
while at the same time removing the source of infection
and raising your overall health. Surgery may be necessary
if pockets of infection still remain after root planting.
The goals of gum surgery are to remove the tartar
from all of the root surfaces and heal the pockets.
By lowering the gum line and reshaping the bone, it
is easier to remove plaque and the source of infection
can be eliminated.
The
pain associated with periodontal surgery can usually
be handled with over-the-counter medication. |
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Periodontal
Disease
Your
teeth are intended to last a lifetime, and they can
with proper care. Daily brushing and flossing and
regular professional cleanings are the key to avoiding
periodontal diseases, the major cause of tooth loss
in adults.
"Periodontal"
comes from the Greek, meaning "around the teeth."
Periodontal diseases start as a bacterial infection
which attacks the gums, jawbone and ligaments that
support the teeth and hold them in the jaw. Periodontal
diseases are usually painless and may develop slowly
or progress quite rapidly. Unless you have regular
check ups, you may not be aware you have a periodontal
disease until your gums and bone have been so seriously
damaged that tooth loss is inevitable. |
Red
Dye Demonstrates Bacterial Infection and Tatar Build
Up that causes Periodontal Disease
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Causes
Of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal
diseases are caused by certain types of bacteria in
plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that
constantly forms on teeth. These bacteria create toxins
(poisons) which irritate the gums and break down the
attachment of gum tissues to the teeth. Over a period
of time, these toxins can destroy the gum tissues
allowing the infection to progress to the underlying
bone.
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addition, unremoved plaque combines with the other
materials and hardens into a rough porous deposit
called calculus(tartar.) Calculus on the tooth surface,
above the gumline, may not contribute to periodontal
diseases, but on the root surface, below the gums,
calculus deposits make the removal of new plaque and
bacteria more difficult. Only a dentist or a dental
hygienist can remove calculus deposits during professional
cleaning. |
| Periodontal
Evaluation
Prevention
of periodontal diseases begins with an understanding
of its causes. A periodontal evaluation performed
as part of your regular dental visit permits the
dentist or dental hygienist to gather information
about your teeth and gums that is not normally performed
during a routine examination. |
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During
this evaluation, we will chart gum size, color and
shape, tissue condition, signs of bleeding, plaque
and calculus buildup.
We
will check the bone level, mobility and recession.
During the evaluation, and instrument called a periodontal
probe will be used to determine if there is any
breakdown in the gum tissue attachment or development
of pockets between your gums and teeth.
The
results of this evaluation, coupled with X-rays,
will allow us to make an accurate diagnosis, the
basis for a treatment plan that best meets your
need.
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Treatment
Plan
The
method of treatment of periodontal diseases depends
upon the type of disease and how far the condition
has progressed.
Options for care usually, but not always, include
the following: |
- Oral
hygiene care performed correctly and consistently
- A
proper periodontal program (scaling, root planing,
and/or curettage) on a regular basis
- Chemical
irrigation with specific mouth rinse and antibiotics
- Periodontal
surgery to reduce or eliminate periodontal pockets
- Tissue
regeneration to build supporting bone and tissue
that was lost during the disease state
- Replacement
of the missing teeth and reconstruction of the
proper bite
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| Summary
In
any treatment plan for periodontal diseases, we
emphasize the importance of removing plaque by daily
brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene is essential
to stop periodontal diseases from becoming more
serious. Our office provides ongoing support by
scheduling three month hygiene visits for maintaining
and reinforcing proper hygiene, and helping to insure
against recurrence of periodontal disease.
We
place special emphasis on these preventive aspects
of care because, historically, enormous amounts
of time and money have been spent by patients in
the treatment of periodontal disease when early
detection, a proper diagnosis, and a treatment plan
could have provided corrective action and prevented
tooth loss. |
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Locations | |
Springfield, MA
1795 Main St, Suite 215
(413) 733-6651 |
Springfield, MA
1795 Main St, Suite 212
(413) 732-5600 |
W. Springfield, MA
93 Van Deene Ave.
(413) 734-9400 | |
Longmeadow, MA
66 Dwight Rd,
(413) 567-9600 |
E. Longmeadow, MA
294 North Main St,
(413) 525-9500 |
Wilbraham, MA
35 Kids Village Post Office Park
(413) 509-1500 |
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