PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE – FONTAINEBLEAU, FL
KEEPING GUM DISEASE UNDER CONTROL
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease or periodontitis) is a common, inflammatory condition that affects the surrounding and supporting soft tissues of your tooth. When left untreated, gum disease affects your jawbone as an advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis, develops. Regular periodontal maintenance in our Fontainebleau, FL dental office can restore and preserve oral health.
The word “periodontitis,” meaning around the tooth, is most often preceded by gingivitis, which is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. This bacterial infection affects your gums when the toxins contained in plaque begin to irritate and inflame the gum tissues. When the bacteria colonize into your gum pockets between your teeth, it becomes very difficult to treat. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that eventually leads to the destruction of the connective tissue and jawbone. If left untreated, it can use loosen, shifting, and eventually loss of teeth.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
Here are some of the more common treatments for periodontal disease:
- Scaling and root planing (SRP) – Commonly known as “deep cleaning”. In order to preserve the health of the gum tissue, the bacteria and calculus (tartar) which initially caused the infection, must be removed. The gum pockets will be cleaned and treated with antibiotics (Arestin) as necessary to help alleviate the infection of the tooth. A prescription mouthwash may be incorporated into daily cleaning routines for 2-3 weeks. Call 786-335-44-1
- Tissue regeneration – When the bone and gum tissues have been destroyed, regrowth can be actively encouraged using grafting procedures. A membrane may be inserted into the affected areas to assist in the regeneration process.
- Pocket elimination surgery – Pocket elimination surgery (also known as flap surgery) is a surgical treatment that can be performed to reduce the pocket size between the teeth and gums. Surgery on the jawbone is another option that serves to eliminate indentations in the bone which foster the colonization of bacteria.
- Tooth implants – When teeth have been lost due to periodontal disease, the aesthetics and functionality of the mouth can be restored by implanting prosthetic teeth into the jawbone. Tissue regeneration procedures may be required prior to the placement of a dental implant in order to strengthen the bone.
- There are many surgical and nonsurgical treatments the periodontist may choose to perform, depending upon the exact condition of the teeth, gums, and jawbone. A complete periodontal exam of the mouth will be done before any treatment is performed or recommended.
Learn More About Periodontal Disease
When left untreated, gingivitis (mild gum inflammation) can spread below the gum line. When the gums become irritated by the toxins contained in plaque, a chronic inflammatory response causes the body to break down and destroy its own bone and soft tissue. There may be little or no symptoms as periodontal disease causes the teeth to separate from the infected gum tissue. Deepening pockets between the gums and teeth are generally indicative that soft tissue and bone are being destroyed by periodontal disease. Request a dental appointment with our periodontist (Dr. Kyle DeLuca) to keep your periodontitis in check.
If your dentist told you that you need a Periodontist. Call us at (786) 589-8349 so we can help you schedule a periodontist consult appointment with Dr. Kyle DeLuca. We offer our dental care services to the communities of Doral, Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Kendall, Sweetwater, Westchester, and Miami Florida.
