Periodontal Treatment

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that this condition affects 1 in 2 adults over 30 and can be easily prevented with regular care. At Stamford Dental Studio, we provide services designed to help patients achieve optimal periodontal health (and the associated appearance, feel, and function of a healthy smile) through various approaches.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, also referred to as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that targets the gums and the surrounding structures of your teeth. The periodontium, which consists of your gums, bone, and tissues that support your teeth firmly in place, is the target of this bacterial infection.

Gum disease starts when the harmful bacteria present in dental plaque and tartar accumulate along your gum line and under your gums. If left untreated, this bacterial infection can cause inflammation, recession of your gums, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss.

The reason why many people are not aware that they have periodontal disease is that it does not cause pain in its early stages. This is why it is important to practice good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

If you notice any of the following symptoms, you may need periodontal treatment:

  • Red, swollen, or inflamed gums
  • Bleeding while brushing or flossing
  • Receding gums or exposed tooth roots
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
  • A bad taste in the mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • New gaps or spaces between teeth
  • Changes in your bite alignment
  • Changes in how partial dentures fit
  • Pus or discharge around the gums
  • Pain when chewing or biting

The Importance Of Good Oral Health

Taking care of your smile is more important than just keeping your teeth and gums healthy; it also helps to keep your body healthy. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, scientists are discovering more and more connections between periodontal disease and various medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory issues.

At the office of Stamford Dental Studio, we emphasize the importance of prevention, early detection, and timely treatment of periodontal disease. We provide patients the guidance, support, and care required to maintain optimal periodontal health.

What is gingivitis?

The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. It is characterized by little or no discomfort but can be detected early through bleeding (when you brush your teeth), redness or inflammation of your gums, and gum sensitivity.

If you have any of these symptoms, you likely have gingivitis. Fortunately, if treated early, the tissue damage can be avoided. The integrity of the periodontal tissues remains intact, even though inflammation persists at this stage.

By implementing treatment early, you may reverse the course of the disease and avoid permanent damage to the periodontal tissues. Treatment includes two steps: a series of deep periodontal cleanings and improving your self-care; both are critical for reversing the cause of gingivitis and preventing it from progressing to an advanced stage of periodontal disease.

What is Periodontitis?

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more advanced and damaging form called periodontitis (the most serious gum disease). Once people reach this stage, the structures that hold their teeth in place (connective tissue and bone) become irreparably damaged due to degeneration or destruction. When periodontal disease and periodontitis continue to advance, there is less and less tissue to hold the teeth. Damage from periodontal disease or periodontitis can include an increase in the number and size of pockets (the area between the gums and the teeth) around the teeth, recession of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth and loss of bone tissue holding the teeth.

Periodontal treatment can be categorized in the following ways:

  • Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

    If you detect periodontal disease in its earliest stages, treatment with non-surgical measures may lead to the restoration of periodontal tissues and improved daily hygiene. Even though a routine cleaning performed by a dental professional can keep your gum tissue healthy if no evidence of periodontal disease is present, if you develop symptoms of gingivitis, more extensive or controlled cleaning procedures, and possibly additional non-surgical treatments, will be recommended in conjunction with the treatment of gingivitis.

The American Academy on Periodontal Health encourages patients to achieve dental health through the least invasive or cost-effective means. Treatment of gingival disease includes procedures labelled scaling/root planing, which are non-invasive and used to treat periodontal disease as the first line of defence in stopping its progression.

Scaling/root planing involves removing plaque/tartar (hardened plaque) that has built up under the gumline, followed by smoothing the root surfaces of teeth. Since periodontal disease is an inflammatory reaction to the presence of plaque, tartar and bacterial toxins, simply mechanically removing these irritants will help to stop the progression of periodontal disease. In addition to scaling/root planing, medications that kill bacteria may be placed under the gum or administered systemically as adjuncts to reduce bacterial volume.

If non-surgical options fail to achieve the desired effect, we will refer the patient to surgical intervention as needed to halt the progression of periodontal disease and, where possible, repair damage.

    • Remove sub-gingival bacteria beneath the gums and from the surfaces of the roots of the teeth

    • Halt damage to the underlying bone, and recontour the affected hard tissues as needed

    • Reduce pocket depth to facilitate easier cleaning of the teeth and gums and the maintenance of optimal periodontal health

       

Periodontal Surgery

When gum disease reaches a stage where it can’t be treated with normal cleaning techniques, the dentist may recommend gum surgery to remove all bacteria and tartar, to reduce the depth of the inflamed area of the gums around the teeth (called the gingival pocket), to rebuild as much of the lost tissue as possible, and to stop the progression of gum disease. Remember, gum disease is a progressive condition. If nothing is done, the supportive structures of the teeth continue to deteriorate, negatively affecting your overall dental health and well-being.

As gingivitis worsens, periodontal pockets deepen; it becomes more difficult to remove bacteria from the deepest parts of the pockets, and the opening between the tooth and gum increases. At some point, when the gingival pocket is greater than 5mm deep, the gum surgery will be recommended to remove the plaque and other deposits from the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and to treat any damage to the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

The best part of gum surgery is that, with proper care and improved oral hygiene, individuals can greatly reduce their risk of tooth loss, further damage to the bone and soft tissues supporting their teeth, and complications related to gum disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most periodontal treatments, including scaling and root planing, are performed with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. You may experience mild soreness or sensitivity afterward, but this typically resolves within a few days. Following post-treatment care instructions helps ensure faster healing.

You may need periodontal treatment if you have symptoms such as bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or deep gum pockets. Because gum disease can develop without pain, regular dental checkups are essential for early detection.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces of the teeth. This helps reduce inflammation, eliminate bacteria, and allow the gums to reattach to the teeth.

Surgery may be recommended when gum pockets are too deep (typically 5mm or more) to be treated effectively with non-surgical methods. Procedures such as flap surgery help remove bacteria, reduce pocket depth, and restore gum and bone support.

Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for periodontal therapy, especially when it is medically necessary to treat gum disease. Coverage varies by plan, so it’s best to check with your provider or contact our office for assistance verifying your benefits.