Insights from a Norwood Park Area Dentist: Various Periodontal Treatments

Periodontists specialize in treating gum disease, and they have several different treatments at their disposal. In most cases, periodontists will do their best to achieve positive results with the least intrusive treatment options. These non-surgical treatments include:

Scaling and Root Planing

This procedure involves cleaning the roots of teeth in order to remove all tartar and plaque that has accumulated over months and sometimes years. When these sediments settle into periodontal pockets, they can house many bacterial toxins that will affect the health of your gums. After the procedure, your periodontist might also perform some adjunctive therapies using systemic antibiotics, local delivery antimicrobials, or host modulation. Most patients will not require further active treatment past scaling and root planing.

Tray Systems

Tray delivery systems are comprised of a tray that is custom designed to fit the patient’s mouth. This tray is then available for use at home in order to deliver the medications prescribed by the periodontist. The tray delivery system has been modeled after fluoride trays, which have been traditionally used to prevent tooth decay. This has helped the tray system to pass through the FDA clearance process without any issues. However, the medication delivered by the tray may or may not be FDA approved, so make sure you discuss the pros and cons of this treatment option with your dentist before going forward with it.

Gum Graft Surgery

Gum recession exposes the root of the teeth, which can lead to bone loss and eventual tooth loss. In order to address this issue, a periodontist will use a treatment called gum graft surgery. The procedure consists of the periodontist removing some gum tissue from the palate or from a different donor, and using it to cover the exposed root. The procedure can be performed on one or more teeth. A gum graft surgery will not only protect the root of the teeth, it will also reduce sensitivity and improve the smile of the patient.

Laser Treatment

Some periodontists offer laser treatment as an alternative to traditional procedures. This treatment is just as effective as the alternatives. However, if the laser is tuned at an inappropriate wavelength, it can be harmful. There are currently no studies to suggest that laser treatment is superior to traditional treatment options, so be wary of any claims that sound too good to be true.

Regenerative Procedures

Periodontal diseases affect both the gums and the bone around the tooth. With regenerative procedures, some of the effects of these diseases can be reversed. A Norwood Park periodontist may recommend this type of procedure and use techniques that will remove disease-generating bacteria, and fold back gum tissues. He or she may then use bone grafts and tissue-stimulating proteins in order to encourage the body to start the regenerative process.

Crown Lengthening

Gummy smiles are not caused by small teeth, contrary to popular belief. In fact, the teeth are often of adequate length, but the gums have grown over their bases. A periodontist can use the crown lengthening procedure to reshape excess gum and bone tissue in order to reveal more of the tooth. Crown lengthening can be performed on one or more teeth in order to fully improve your smile.

Pocket Reduction

Naturally, the gum sticks tightly to the surface of the tooth. But over time, due to various conditions, the tissue surrounding the tooth can be destroyed, leaving small “pockets”. These pockets will become larger if left untreated, and they will be a haven for bacteria. From there, you can expect more problems with bone and tissue loss, until ultimately, the affected tooth is lost. The pocket reduction procedure consists of clearing out any bacteria and folding back gum tissue until it is attached again to the bone.

Schedule Your Appointment Today with a Local Norwood Park Dentist and Dental Office!

If you have any periodontal issues, do not wait to get them fixed! Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the top periodontist in the Norwood Park area.