Managing Your Gum Health
Our gums act as the frame for our smile, and also keep our teeth secure and stable. However, poor oral hygiene and other factors could lead to inflammation, also known as gingivitis. Without treatment to reverse the inflammation, periodontal disease could develop and eventually threaten the stability of your smile. Fortunately, the Viva Dental Family Dentistry team includes an on-staff periodontist, Dr. Shalev, who is experienced in managing gum health with an array of treatment options, including the procedures listed below! Should you require periodontal care, remember that Dr. Shalev offers free consultations.
Scaling and Root Planing
Often, plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth can cause inflammation. As gingivitis worsens, this creates pockets along the gum line where tissues pull away from teeth. To reverse gingivitis, we use a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, to gently remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots. While gum disease cannot be cured, we can begin managing the early stages with a scaling and root planing, followed by a traditional dental cleaning every three to four months.
Gum Grafting
The later stage of periodontal disease is known as periodontitis. At this stage, the disease begins to destroy the tissues that connect the teeth and gums, causing adult tooth loss. With periodontitis, the tissues have started to recede, which alters the appearance of your smile and may make teeth appear too long. To improve smile beauty and treat periodontitis, we could suggest gum grafting. Taking tissues from other parts of the smile, we cover the exposed portion of your tooth roots. This improves smile beauty and symmetry, and enables our team to begin managing your periodontal disease with traditional cleanings and better homecare.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Periodontitis not only means dealing with receding gums, but also the presence of deep pockets along the gum line. As the depths of the pockets increase, the risks of worsening symptoms increase as well. To help, we could perform Pocket Reduction Surgery. We first pull the gums back to destroy harmful bacteria and buildup. We then use a scaling and root planing to smooth portions of the roots and teeth so we can attach healthy tissues. We reattach the gums, reducing pocket depth and allowing us to control your disease with routine cleanings and better home hygiene habits.
Dental Implant Placement
If you have missing teeth and have periodontitis, or have lost teeth due to periodontitis, this could complicate tooth replacement. Fortunately, with our numerous treatments to manage the disease, we could prepare your smile for dental implant placement, ensuring your new teeth have the chance to last for decades to come.
Call Today to Make Your Appointment
For more information on our periodontal treatments, or to schedule a consultation, call the Viva Dental office nearest you at 214-337-7800 in Dallas, or at 972-437-6000 in Richardson for a complimentary consultation with our in-house Periodontist Dr. Shalev
