1011 E Prescott Rd
Salina, KS 67401
ABOUT PERIODONTICS
Periodontal Treatments
Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease
Prior to any treatment, periodontal disease must be properly diagnosed. Periodontal disease is diagnosed during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up, and a more thorough evaluation may be recommended by your regular dentist if periodontal disease is detected.
How Periodontal Disease is Detected
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
Types of Periodontal Disease
Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis. Types of periodontal disease include:
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Advanced Periodontitis
Treatments for Periodontal Disease
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. After a thorough periodontal evaluation and diagnosis, the dentist or periodontist will recommend the appropriate treatment.
The Importance of Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!
Treatment for Gingivitis
If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.
Treatment for Progressed or Advanced Periodontal Disease
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.
Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.
Periodontal Disease Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is essential for supporting healthy gums and a healthy smile. In fact, it only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus. Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, regular maintenance cleanings are typically recommended four times a year. At periodontal maintenance appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult to remove with at-home hygiene routines will be removed from above and below the gum line.
In addition to your periodontal cleaning and evaluation, appointments usually include:
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Examination of diagnostic x-rays
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Examination of existing restorations
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Examination of tooth decay
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Oral cancer screening
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Oral hygiene recommendations
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Teeth polishing
Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control.
