Patients develop periodontal disease for reasons other than poor oral hygiene. Patients can be genetically predisposed to periodontal disease or they may have an underlying medical condition that is contributing to dental issues. There are also certain medications that can had adverse side effects, one of which may be periodontal disease. If you have swollen and puffy gums that bleed when you brush and floss, you might have periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease starts out as gingivitis. When plaque and tartar buildup at the gum line, it can get into the gum pocket and lead to an infection. An infection in the gum pockets will cause the gum tissue to reseed from the tooth structure and can cause a great deal of sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. Left untreated, gum recession can begin to affect your jaw bone. As the bone begins to deteriorate, the teeth can become loose and eventually fall out.
How is periodontal disease treated?
There are a number of procedures available to treat periodontal disease.
- Scaling and Root Planing: The first step is usually a scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning. During a scaling and root planing, your hygienist will numb your mouth and then proceed to hand scale the teeth well below the gum line in order to remove any buildup of tartar and bacteria to clear out infection. Scaling and root planing may be all that is necessary for patients with minor periodontal disease but those with a more severe case could require further treatment. Recovery from scaling and root planing is relatively minor. You may be sore for a few days but you will not have to modify your diet or daily routine.
- Osseous Surgery: This treatment is more invasive and involves the doctor making an incision in the gum tissue to create a flap that they can fold back in order to see the underlying bone structure and remove any bacteria and damage the bone. Sometimes, the patient may need a bone graft to help rebuild the bone structure. The gum flap is trimmed to remove any damaged tissue and then stitched back into place to leave a smaller gum pocket than before treatment. Recovery from osseous surgery can take up to two weeks and you will need to modify your diet to avoid foods that can irritate your surgery site and your oral hygiene routine will need to be adjusted to accommodate your surgery site and sutures.
- Laser Therapy: LANAP laser therapy is an alternative to osseous surgery and is a much less invasive way to remove infection and infected gum tissue. A laser is used to target damaged tissue which the laser is able to distinguish from healthy tissue because infected gum tissue is darker than healthy tissue. The laser will actually stimulate the bone and gum tissue to regenerate healthy attachments for healthier gum pockets. Recovery from laser therapy is minor and the patient will be able to return to normal diet and habits within a day or two. LANAP stands for laser assisted new attachment procedure and is very effective at encouraging healthy bone and tissue regeneration. Patients that undergo laser therapy have less chance of recurrence and are better able to maintain their oral health with improved home care.