Treating Gum Disease
Other People Are Reading
-
Deep Cleaning Treatment
-
Gum (periodontal) disease is usually caused by bacteria forming on teeth in the form of plaque. Before considering surgery, dentists normally try several types of non-surgical treatment, which are less invasive and more affordable. One is the deep-cleaning treatment, also known as scaling and root planing, which takes three to four dental visits spaced about a week apart. After giving a local analgesia, the dentist scrapes tartar from the teeth using a vibrating ultrasonic instrument. A curette is used remove any diseased soft tissue and to clean out pockets of tartar that are hard to reach. Finally, the teeth are polished with an abrasive paste.
Antibiotics
-
Antibiotics can be used either alone or combined with other treatments to remove bacteria. Tetracycline antibiotics, taken in small doses, help block the enzyme that destroys bone and connective tissue. Taking the oral drug Periostat following a deep cleaning can help with tooth attachment and reduce pocket depth. Effectiveness can be further increased by adding aspirin or ibuprofen to the Periostat.
-
Soft Skin Grafting
-
Soft-skin grafting is used to restore gum tissue when gums have been damaged or when the supporting bone for a tooth has been injured. A dentist takes tissue from the palate and sews it to the damaged area to reduce further gum decay. This also covers and protects exposed roots, desensitizing them to pain caused by cold or hot foods and liquids. Also done for cosmetic reasons, the procedure can help "lower" gums that appear too long.
Crown Lengthening
-
While soft-tissue grafting makes long-looking teeth appear shorter, crown lengthening has the opposite effect. Because some gums are overgrown, teeth may appear too short. To correct this problem, a dentist can take away some gum and bone tissue, revealing more of the crown of the tooth, thus lengthening a tooth.
Deep Pocket Reduction
-
Surgery may be needed for reshaping bone or regenerating new bone and gum tissue if deep pockets still exist after a deep-cleaning treatment. Also called flap surgery, deep-pocket reduction involves the periodontist folding the gum back away from the tooth. He scrapes away tartar and plaque, then removes any diseased tissue and smoothes down any damaged tissue so the gum is able to reattach to healthy bone.
Maintenance Therapy
-
After any treatment, your dentist should follow up with continuing maintenance therapy to avoid the return of gum disease. Besides examining your gums, bite and cheek, your dentist will remove any new tartar and plaque as well as review good daily dental home care, including brushing and flossing.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit Yuri Arcurs
