Dental periodontal treatments include a wide range of treatments to address periodontal disease. Periodontal disease otherwise known as gum disease is a common issue in adults. In the beginning, you might notice red, swollen, or tender gums. This initial stage is called gingivitis. This initial stage can be reversed by following a proper oral care routine. But if you do not treat it timely it can cause tooth decay eventually leading to tooth loss. Severe periodontitis can also cause other health problems like stroke or heart attack. Several types of dental treatments for periodontal disease are available depending on the severity of the disease.
What are Periodontal Diseases?
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease. Periodontitis is primarily caused by poor oral health. Following a proper oral hygiene routine can prevent periodontitis to a great extent.
Here are some initial symptoms which later on become chronic:
- Bad breath
- Reddish gums
- Swollen gums
- Pain when chewing
- Bleeding
- Gum recession
Stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis
It is the early stage of infection with mild symptoms. Initial stages can be reversed by following a proper oral hygiene routine.
- Mild periodontitis
If you continue to ignore initial symptoms bacteria eventually reach behind your gum line. From there bacteria settles in the space between the gum and the tooth, called periodontal pockets.
- Moderate periodontitis
As these bacteria settle in they start releasing toxins. Connective tissue and fibers hold the teeth in place and these toxins break them down. With time this infection keeps spreading leading to bone deterioration. It all leads to exposing the roots of teeth.
- Severe periodontitis
When the roots of teeth become exposed it can make teeth loose. If you do not treat it even at this stage your teeth may fall out.
Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment Options
There are several Dental Treatments for periodontal disease available. You might think what is dental periodontal treatment They can be surgical or non-surgical. Your dentist may decide which treatment is better for you based on different factors. These factors include the severity of disease, overall oral hygiene, health conditions, smoking, age and lifestyle, and ultimately your treatment goals.
- Antibiotics
Pills may be prescribed by your doctor to fight infection. In some cases, your doctor may place gels or strips in your periodontal pockets.
- Scaling and root planning
One typical dental periodontal treatment for thoroughly cleaning teeth is scaling and root planing. The process begins with giving local anesthesia to numb your gums. This procedure focuses on removing plaque and tartar accumulation. After cleaning the next step is root planning. Root planing is performed to smooth out your teeth roots. It ensures your gums reattach to your teeth and they are not exposed. Aidite is providing technological advancements in this dental field.
- Laser dental periodontal treatment
In laser dental periodontal treatment laser technology is utilized. Your doctor will use a specialized laser to remove infected gum tissues and bacteria from around the teeth.
Surgical Periodontal Treatment Options
- Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery)
In this process, the doctor makes a small incision along your gum line to lift the gums away from the teeth. Plaque and tartar are buildup in the roots and pockets of your teeth. As the name suggests pocket reduction surgery removes this buildup in roots and pockets of teeth.
- Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is performed when you have bone loss due to periodontitis. This is a surgical procedure for replacing the lost bone due to periodontitis. In this process, bone is taken from your own body, or a donor is placed in the area of bone loss.
- Gum Grafting
At some stages of periodontal disease, gum loss can occur exposing teeth roots. In this surgery, a piece of tissue is grafted in the affected place covering the exposed roots.
- Guided Tissue Regeneration
The purpose of guided tissue regeneration is to promote the growth of new bone and gum tissue. In GTR the doctor will place a special membrane between the gum tissue and bone. The development of new tissue is promoted by this membrane. It also prevents the gums from growing into the space that should be filled with bone. You might think is dental periodontal treatment painful? With anesthesia, the process goes pretty smoothly.
- Osseous Surgery
This surgery includes reshaping the bone for better gum attachments. This procedure includes reshaping the bone damaged due to periodontitis to remove craters and irregularities.
Dental Periodontal Treatments at Home
Advanced periodontitis cannot be treated at home. But you might have heard prevention is better than cure. So, maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine is the best you can do. Here are some dental periodontal treatments at home:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day.
- Floss daily
- Using mouthwash
- Oil pulling
- Staying hydrated
- Eating a balanced diet
- Quit smoking
Also, it is very important to avoid certain habits to prevent periodontitis. We all know how important it is to brush our teeth twice a day but still, we ignore it sometimes. The technique of brushing also matters very much. Use a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle to clean properly, Consuming too much sugary or acidic foods can also lead to plaque buildup.
Aftercare of Dental Periodontal Treatment
After receiving a professional dental periodontal treatment it is necessary to follow a proper aftercare routine. Following a proper aftercare routine ensures effective healing, minimizing discomforts and preventing complications. No matter which dental periodontal treatment you have received it’s crucial to follow post-treatment instructions to achieve optimal results.
- Follow post-operation instructions:
It is very important to follow instructions provided by your dentist. Common instructions include medication prescriptions, diet plans, and activity restrictions.
- Manage oral hygiene:
Follow an oral hygiene routine but be gentle. For example, do not brush too hard. Your doctor might even recommend some anti-microbial products.
- Avoid Smoking and Alcohol:
Smoking and alcohol consumption can slow down your healing process significantly. Due to smoking blood flow to gums is reduced which impairs tissue regeneration.
- Rest and stay hydrated:
Resting and staying hydrated is as important as following the above steps. Many people ignore the importance of resting properly. Make sure you are drinking enough amount of liquids. Water consumption can aid in eliminating oral microorganisms.
- Watch out for signs of complications:
With proper care, it is very rare to have complications but you should still look for possible signs of infection after getting dental periodontal treatment. If you notice increased pain, swelling, redness, or pus around the area consult your doctor.
FAQs Related to Dental Periodontal Treatment
Can you prevent periodontal disease?
Yes, it is very easy to prevent periodontal disease. Following a proper oral hygiene routine which includes brushing your teeth flossing and regular dental checkups is enough to prevent periodontal disease. Also, avoid smoking, acidic, and sugary teeth as they can stain your teeth.
What are common periodontal disease treatments?
Common dental periodontal treatment includes surgical and non-surgical methods. Antibiotics, scaling, and root planning, laser dental periodontal treatment are common nonsurgical procedures. Surgical procedures include flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery), gum grafting, bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and osseous surgery.
Does dental insurance cover periodontal treatment?
Nonsurgical treatments like scaling and root planning for initial stages are covered by dental insurance but advanced surgical methods may not be covered.
What to ask your dentist?
Before getting dental periodontal treatment you should ask your dentist if you have bone or gum loss. Because these two are major signs of periodontal diseases.
Conclusion
Dental periodontal treatments are the advanced methods of treating gum diseases. Nowadays gum disease is a common problem. While early care can prevent complications periodontal disease can be managed with the help of proper treatment. Periodontal treatments have two main categories surgical and non-surgical. Your dentist may decide which is better for you based on some factors like the severity of the disease. Less severe diseases can be treated without the surgery. After a dental periodontal treatment, it is very important to follow proper aftercare steps for optimal recovery. For superior Dental Products, you can always trust trusted brands like Aidite renowned for their dedication to advancing oral health.