The mouth is the gateway to the body’s digestive and respiratory systems. When your oral health is compromised, that gateway is left vulnerable to harmful invaders. Thus, poor oral health negatively impacts the overall health of your body. Your oral health can be impaired due to several dental problems, with periodontal disease being the most prevalent.
However, with the advancement in modern dentistry, there are several ways in which our dentist in South Reno, NV, can manage periodontal disease to help restore your oral form, function, and aesthetics.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease or gum disease is a common dental infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. It is a bacterial infection that begins as an inflammation of the gums, and if left untreated, it may erode the supporting bone, leading to mobility and tooth loss.
Plaque and bacteria are the prime suspects behind gum disease. The bacteria secrete toxins and acids that cause infection and impair your body’s defense system.
Symptoms:
- Discolored gums
- Bleeding, swollen, and tender gums
- Receding gums
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Gaps or spaces between your teeth
- Abscess with pus discharge
- Malocclusion
How can periodontal disease be treated?
Periodontal disease treatment depends on the extent and severity of your condition. You may be recommended any one of the following:
Non-surgical
This works well if you suffer from mild to moderate periodontal disease.
- Antibiotics
- These are prescribed in the form of oral drugs or topical gels to fight infection
- Scaling and root planing
- These deep dental cleanings are routine procedures that allow the dentist to eliminate plaque, calculus, and bacteria beneath the gum line.
- Teeth roots are also cleaned to make them smooth, preventing plaque and bacteria adherence.
Surgical
If you have moderate to severe periodontal disease, you will probably need surgical intervention.
- Flap surgery
- A flap incision is raised on your gums to access the tooth roots and clean them thoroughly.
- Bone grafting
- This is an effective procedure to counteract bone loss by replacing the lost tissue with a graft material.
- The graft may be your own bone, donated bone, or a synthetic material.
- Gum grafting
- Gum grafting helps treat gum recession by placing a tissue graft around the affected teeth and suturing it.
- The graft is obtained from any part of your oral cavity that covers the exposed tooth roots.
- Guided tissue regeneration
- A special biocompatible material is placed between the bone and your tooth.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- PRP is extracted from your blood sample and injected into the deficient areas to encourage bone growth.
You may not be able to completely reverse periodontal disease, but you can manage the condition with proper care and maintenance.