Periodontal Treatment Gives You a Healthy Smile Again!

Healthy gums contribute to healthy teeth. Red, tender, and swollen gums that bleed easily are signs of gum disease. Left untreated, the infection could spread to the bone tissue that supports the teeth and ultimately lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, there are many periodontal treatments available to give you a healthy smile again. Dr. Scott Sazima, the experienced dentist at Westlake Periodontics in Westlake, OH, provides periodontics services to restore gum health.

Signs of Gum Disease

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection caused by plaque and tartar on the teeth. When plaque is not thoroughly cleared away it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed through professional dental cleaning. Tartar contains harmful bacteria that can infect gum tissue and cause it to become inflamed. Symptoms associated with gum disease include:

• Swollen gums
• Gum sensitivity
• Red or tender gums
• Gums that bleed when brushing
• A receding gum line
• Changes in your bite
• Loose or missing teeth
• Persistent bad breath

Periodontal Treatments

Several periodontal therapies and treatments are available for restoring gum health following an infection. Prompt treatment helps stop the infection from spreading to other areas and can prevent tooth loss as well. At our office in Westlake, OH, periodontics procedures for treating gum disease and its side effects include:

• Scaling and Root Planing: A method for deep-cleaning below the gum line using ultrasonic instruments and hand scalers to remove plaque and tartar.
• Periodontal Laser Treatment: Laser technology is used to safely remove infected gum tissue with minimal shrinkage of the gums.
• Periodontal Surgery: A procedure for reshaping gum tissue to give it a more pleasing appearance.
• Gum Grafting: A technique for replacing damaged or lost gum tissue by grafting healthy gum tissue from another area of the mouth.
• Crown Lengthening Surgery: A minor surgical procedure that exposes more of the teeth when they are covered by excess gum tissue, which is often referred to as a “gummy smile.”
• Dental Implants: A state-of-the-art method for restoring your smile following tooth loss caused by gum disease or other factors. Dental implants make it possible to permanently replace missing teeth and their roots.

If you have developed gum disease, periodontal treatment can give you a healthy smile again. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sazima to learn more about restoring the health of your gums with periodontics in Westlake, OH, by calling Westlake Periodontics at (440) 835-4600.