Your gums frame your smile and they also support your teeth. Which means good periodontal health is essential for avoiding issues like tooth loss, and ensuring an attractive smile. Fortunately, your Richardson, TX, family dentist can help with our on-staff periodontist and a number of advanced treatment options!
The Impact of Poor Gum Health
When your gums develop gingivitis, this could mean they appear redder than usual and feel sore. Over time, lack of treatment could allow the inflammation to cause gum tissues to pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter. Periodontal disease develops, and without treatment, could lead to an advanced stage known as periodontitis, which is linked to adult tooth loss. The factors behind the disease could include a family history of it, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or tobacco use. Poor oral hygiene could allow plaque to develop that weaken the enamel as well. When you notice changes to your gums, you need to see us right away!
A Deep Cleaning
Our in-staff periodontist, Dr. Shalev, will take a close look at your smile using advanced imaging technology. If you have gingivitis, we can help reverse it with a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. If you have the early stages of periodontal disease, this procedure can help us manage it with traditional cleanings every three to four months moving forward. The procedure involves using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove plaque and tartar deposits from between the teeth and the surfaces of them too. The procedure is more involved than traditional cleanings, and could take between one and four visits, the exact number depends on the severity of your buildup. We then polish your smile and you leave with better gum health.
Gum Grafting
If you have periodontitis, then your gums could be receding and exposing sensitive portions of tooth structure, leading to not only poor periodontal health, but an increased risk of tooth decay and infection as well, threatening the stability of your smile. With a gum graft, Dr. Shalev can take tissue from other parts of your smile and cover the exposed roots. This improves the appearance and symmetry of your smile, and protects your smile from complications like tooth loss.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
We could also reduce the depth of periodontal pockets to make the disease manageable and protect your smile from major complications. Our team will pull the tissues back to destroy the harmful deposits of bacteria and plaque/tartar buildup. After we clean and smooth the roots, we reattach the tissues. The depth of the pockets is reduced, and we can help your smile stay healthy with routine preventive care.
Your Richardson, TX, Dentist Offers Periodontal Care
Our team wants to help you avoid discomfort or the risk of tooth loss. For more information on improving your gum health, then please schedule a consultation by calling the Viva Dental Family Dentistry office nearest you at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
