How to combat gum diseases – Exploring surgical and non-surgical treatments

Gum diseases are addressed through a range of techniques based on their severity, type, and progression. Factors such as overall health, age, and gum tissue condition play a crucial role in determining the most suitable treatment approach. Keep reading to understand surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for gum diseases.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

• Individuals experiencing early-stage gum disease, such as gingivitis or mild periodontitis, can find relief through nonsurgical interventions. These treatments include:

Dental Prophylaxis

• Dental prophylaxis involves a routine dental cleaning. During this procedure, plaque and tartar are removed from the surfaces of your teeth. For individuals with gingivitis (the initial stage of gum disease), professional dental cleanings with improved oral hygiene practices at home can often reverse the condition.

Depending on your specific circumstances, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to control harmful bacteria effectively.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing, classified as deep dental cleaning, target the removal of plaque and tartar from beneath your gum line, reaching your root surfaces. In addition, by thoroughly cleansing your teeth, the periodontist will smooth any rough areas on your tooth roots, aiding in the prevention of bacteria and plaque reattachment. The periodontist will administer local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during this procedure.

Antibiotic Therapy

• Your periodontist may prescribe antibiotics either independently or along with other treatments. Common antibiotics used in gum disease treatment include minocycline HCl or chlorhexidine. These medications are placed into the periodontal pocket, the space between your gums and teeth.

Laser Periodontal Therapy

• In laser periodontal therapy, your periodontist uses a minuscule laser to eliminate diseased tissue and remove bacteria beneath your gums. In certain instances, laser therapy is recommended as an alternative to conventional gum surgery. Unlike traditional methods, laser therapy does not necessitate incisions or sutures.

Surgical Interventions Treatment Options

• Individuals with moderate to advanced periodontal disease typically necessitate surgical treatments. These procedures include:

Pocket Reduction Surgery

• During pocket reduction surgery, your periodontist will make incisions along your gum line, temporarily displacing your gums from your teeth to access the roots underneath. This enables them to remove tartar buildup and cleanse your root surfaces thoroughly.

In certain cases, they may also smooth and reshape areas of damaged bone, hindering bacteria from proliferating. Finally, they will reposition your gums and suture them back into place.

Bone Grafting

• In a dental bone graft procedure, your bone, donated bone, or synthetic bone is utilized to reconstruct areas damaged by gum disease. The graft acts as a scaffold to support the space until your body can generate new bone. Periodontists often perform bone grafting along with pocket reduction surgery.

Gum Grafting

• Gum grafting involves the use of your own tissue, donated tissue, or synthetic tissue to address gum recession, a common symptom of periodontal disease. During the procedure, your periodontist places the tissue graft in areas where your gums have receded and sutures it into place. If your tissue is used, it is typically taken from the roof of your mouth.

Guided Tissue Regeneration

• Periodontal disease can create voids between your tooth root and bone. In guided tissue regeneration, your periodontist inserts a membrane into the affected area to prevent gum tissue from encroaching on the bone’s space.

This allows your body sufficient time to regenerate bone around the tooth. Often, periodontists perform a bone graft concurrently with this procedure to facilitate the regeneration process.

Improve your oral health today by treating and reversing your gum disease. Our experts at Icon Dental Center can help you determine the treatment needed to keep periodontal disease at bay. If you have questions or want to improve your gum health, contact us at (206) 225-2882. Our clinics are located in Seattle and Everett.