Periodontal Care
 When you come to Loretto Family Dentistry with problems related to the structures that support your teeth, our periodontist is the specialist who attends to you. The dental supporting structures, also known as the periodontium include the gingiva or gum, the cementum, the periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone. These complex terms allude to the complexity and seriousness of periodontal diseases. That is why our periodontist has 3 years of extra training to treat these diseases.
What Happens When You Visit Our Periodontist?
At any first visit to our clinic, we examine you for general dental issues. We may inquire about your medical and dental history; ask you about any treatments you may be undergoing or any medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or even pregnancy. If our dental exam during your first visit reveals signs of periodontal disease, we place you in the hands of our expert periodontist.
Our periodontist examines your gums for signs of inflammation, gum recession, loose teeth, and crooked bites. Using a measuring instrument known as a probe, our specialist measures the space between your teeth and gum to determine the depth of your periodontal pockets. If needed, we also take digital radiographs to determine the health status of your teeth bone.
What Dental Issues Does Our Periodontist Treat?
Periodontal diseases can be mild or severe, and that determines the kind of care you need. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. The symptoms of gingivitis include red, inflamed gums, bleeding, pain, and bad odor. If our periodontist diagnoses you with gingivitis, you undergo a simple treatment plan involving thorough cleaning to eliminate plaque and tarter and curb disease-causing bacteria. We may recommend the use of antibacterial mouthwash or an antibiotic if need be.
Periodontitis is a more severe condition. We will diagnose you for periodontitis if you come with symptoms of gum recession and deep periodontal pockets. With the aid of an x-ray, we will also pay attention to consumed teeth bone and supporting ligaments. When periodontitis is your case, we propose a treatment plan known as scaling and root planing. Scaling entails a deep dental cleaning that eliminates plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. Root planing involves lifting your gum to smoothen the root surface and allow your gum to regenerate and reattach to its usual position.
If you come in with exposed teeth roots, loose or knocked-out teeth, we consider your case to be advanced periodontitis, and you require a treatment plan. In case of extreme gum destruction, the periodontist will perform gum grafting to cover the exposed teeth roots. We will also propose a surgical treatment plan to repair your teeth roots and place tissue-stimulating proteins to help regenerate your tooth bone and tissue.
If you have a misaligned bite (underbite, overbite, or crooked bite), our specialist will propose jaw surgery, also described as orthognathic surgery, to correct your teeth alignment issues. We will recommend cosmetic dental bridges to replace your knocked-out teeth.
Visit us if your family has a history of periodontal disease, if you smoke, and if you notice a change in your bite. You may also schedule an appointment with our expert periodontist by calling us at Loretto Family Dentistry at (940) 498-2290 today.
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