Most people know the consequences of poor oral hygiene and failure to adhere to dental appointments. Still, the number of people living with gum disease is alarmingly high. If you suspect gum disease, the periodontics Midtown West Manhattan specialists at Carnegie Dental Wellness offer effective non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments to reverse the damage caused.
An overview of the periodontics
Periodontics refers to a dental specialty focusing on the inflammatory dental disorder that damages your gums and surrounding tissues. A periodontist is a dental expert who focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing periodontal disease. Dr. Bacopoulou and the team at Carnegie Dental Wellness concentrate on preventing the progression and reversing the effects of periodontal disease. This inflammatory disease occurs in two stages, namely:
· Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mild infection and inflammation of your gums. It is due to the accumulation of plaque, which consists of saliva, food particles, and bacteria beneath your gums. The signature symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding and red or swollen gums.
· Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease. Untreated gingivitis progresses over time, leading to this severe dental disease. It does damage not only the gums but also the periodontal structure at the base of your teeth. As periodontitis progresses, it causes the pulling away of your gums from the teeth, forming pockets where harmful bacteria accumulate. Advanced tooth loss can lead to severe toothache and eventually tooth loss.
Signature symptoms of gum disease
Healthy gums are usually firm, fit perfectly around your teeth, and are pink in color. The first symptom of early gum disease is puffy or swollen gums. Other symptoms include painful chewing, bad breath, red spots on your toothbrush when brushing, bleeding gums, and gum recession. Routine dental visits reduce your risk of developing periodontitis; if you experience one or several symptoms, inform your dentist immediately for a dental exam. The earlier the detection of gum disease, the higher the success rates for treatment.
Diagnostic procedures for periodontitis
During your appointment at Carnegie Dental Wellness, the specialists perform a comprehensive dental exam to determine the cause of your symptoms. The team may also review your medical history to identify factors triggering your symptoms, like certain medications that result in a dry mouth. They also examine your teeth for tartar and plaque build-up. Sometimes, your provider may order dental X-rays to check for bone loss and examine the pocket depths.
Treatment approaches for gum disease
After diagnosis, our doctor may walk you through the available treatments, explaining how they work and their potential risks. You have a high chance of treatment success if you practice good oral hygiene, quit tobacco use, and manage medical conditions that may negatively affect your dental health. Your dentist may begin your treatment with non-surgical approaches such as antibiotics to curb bacterial infection, scaling to eliminate tartar and plaque, and root planing to eliminate bacterial byproducts. If the conservative treatments fail to work, your provider may recommend surgical options such as bone grafting, soft tissue grafts, flap surgery, and guided tissue regeneration.
For more information about gum disease treatments, call the Carnegie Dental Wellness office or click on the booking tool to create an appointment.
