Gum Therapy

Gum Disease Treatments

If your dentist has informed you that you have developed gum disease or  periodontal disease it is important to schedule treatment. Left untreated, gum disease can cause swelling and/or bleeding gums, and the eventual decay and deterioration of your jawbone and ultimately loss of  teeth.  Recent studies indicate that chronic inflammation of the gums results in systemic inflammation, which increases your risk of developing serious health issues, including dementia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, or heart disease.

To prevent or treat gum disease, the best thing to do is practice good oral hygiene habits daily and schedule regular periodontal maintenance visits with your dentist. The traditional recommended dental visit is every six months; however, patients who have gum disease should schedule periodontal maintenance more frequently, depending on factors such as the severity of your periodontal disease, how much plaque you create, and how beneficial past periodontal treatment has been.

Woodhill dental Associates has trained dentists and hygienists with years of experience treating different stages of gum disease. To learn more about treatment options for periodontal disease contact our office at 214-363-4021 to schedule an appointment for consultation.

Stages Of Gum Disease

The three stages of gum disease are:

  • Gingivitis: The early stage of gum disease.  Gingivitis typically includes gums that are puffy, irritated, or swollen. If identified early, gingivitis can be corrected by a thorough cleaning and improvements to your oral health care through education.
  • Early Periodontitis: The next stage in gum disease is early periodontitis which presents as gums that bleed easily with plaque buildup above and below your gums. There may also be signs of mild to moderate bone loss around the teeth. Treatment for this stage of gum disease include deep cleaning referred to scaling as well as patient education.
  • Advanced Periodontitis: The most advanced stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis  and has  symptoms similar to early perio along with the development of deep pockets between the teeth and gums. In the most severe cases, destruction of the jawbone   tooth loss will occur. Treatment options for advanced periodontitis may include scaling, laser therapy, and gum surgery with bone or gingival grafting.

Gum Disease Treatments

If your dentist has diagnosed and informed you that you have gum disease there are different treatment options available.  Treatment plans may vary between patients but the most common treatment types include:

  • Prophylaxis: If caught early, gum disease can be controlled and even eliminated by scheduling routine cleaning procedures called a prophylaxis performed by a dental hygienist.
  • Scaling and root planing: Commonly referred to as a deep cleaning, scaling and root planing removes bacteria and toxic elements that have accumulated beneath the gum line and smooths or planes the root surface to remove infection and reduce the chances of infection coming back.
  • Surgery: For patients with advanced periodontitis, gum surgery combined with regenerative procedures may be options to restore lost soft and hard tissue and eliminate the chronic disease.
  • Bone graft: Patients with advanced gum disease will lose the supporting bone around their teeth which will result in tooth loss. To treat this disease condition, and create suitable and stable sights for future dental implants, a bone graft procedure will be necessary after extraction.

Book an Appointment Today

We would love to meet with you and consult your needs.

Call (214) 363-4021