Gum and Bone - Periodontal Information
Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth. This includes crowns, implants, or other substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and aesthetics of all of the structures and tissues.
Professional dental cleanings are necessary at least twice each year to maintain good oral health. Many people require a routine cleaning three or four times a year due to buildup of plaque and tartar.
If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease.
Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious diseases that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research also points to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth (more about this later).
Whether it is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day.
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We are on the same team!
Dental health begins with good oral hygiene. This requires professional care and guidance provided by us, combined with proper care at home by you. When you follow our recommended home care routine and have regular professional care, you will be able to maintain healthier teeth and gums. When you do your part at home every day, it makes the visits to our office much more enjoyable. Please see How to Brush and How to Floss for more information.
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Why do I need a prophylaxis (professional cleaning)?
Professional cleaning removes plaque, calculus (tartar), and stains from your teeth. Cleaning is done by a dental professional in the dental office and we provide education in proper care of the teeth and gums.
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What is plaque?
Plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth. It combines with sugar and other carbohydrates to form acids, which attack tooth enamel and can cause cavities.
Plaque can also cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which can result in swollen and bleeding gums. If not treated early, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a more serious condition that causes gums to recede and bone to deteriorate. As a result, the supporting structures are weakened and teeth become loose. It's easy to see why brushing and flossing to remove plaque is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
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What is calculus (tartar)?
Minerals in saliva combine with plaque at the tooth surface and harden into a rough, unsightly deposit called calculus (tartar). Calculus, which is mostly mineral, provides a rough surface to which more plaque can attach, and makes thorough plaque removal more difficult. Your toothbrush and floss can't remove calculus once it has formed. It can only be removed during regular dental prophylaxis.
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What does a professional cleaning do that I can't do for myself?
A prophylaxis is a professional cleaning procedure that can be done only by a dentist or hygienist. The prophylaxis not only helps prevent gum disease, but also improves the appearance of your teeth by making them look clean and bright. A prophylaxis is usually performed in two steps. Instruments called scalers are used to remove calculus from teeth above and below the gumline. Then, polishing with a special paste by means of a motorized instrument removes the remaining plaque and surface stains caused by various foods, beverages, tobacco, etc. A polished tooth surface makes it more difficult for plaque and debris to accumulate.
You can help improve your oral hygiene by making plaque control part of your daily routine. Proper brushing helps remove plaque from the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Flossing thoroughly helps remove plaque and debris from between the teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas at and slightly below the gumline.
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What causes periodontal disease?
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless "plaque" on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form bacteria-harboring "tartar" that brushing doesn't clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.
Gingivitis
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called "gingivitis." In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing, flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone or tissue that hold teeth in place.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis" (which means "inflammation around the tooth.") In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that are infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes that are fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
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How can I tell if I have gum disease?
Symptoms are often not noticed until the disease is advanced. They include:
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Bad breath that won't go away
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Red or swollen gums
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Tender or bleeding gums
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Painful chewing
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Loose teeth
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Sensitive teeth
Any of these symptoms may signal a serious problem, which should be checked by a dentist. At your dental visit:
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We will ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to periodontal disease.
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We will examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
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We will use a tiny ruler called a 'probe' to check for periodontal pockets and to measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.
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We may take an x-ray to see whether there is any bone loss.
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We may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats gum diseases.
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What can I do to prevent gum disease?
Here are some things you can do to prevent periodontal diseases:
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Brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste)
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Floss every day
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Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
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Eat a well balanced diet
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Don't use tobacco products
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Who gets periodontal disease?
People usually don't show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30s or 40s. Men are more likely to have periodontal disease than women. Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.
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How is periodontal disease treated?
The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. Additionally, modifying certain behaviors, such as quitting tobacco use, might also be suggested as a way to improve treatment outcome.
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What are the risk factors?
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Smoking. Need another reason to quit smoking? Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of success of some treatments.
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Hormonal changes in girls/women. These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
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Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease.
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Stress. Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection, including periodontal disease.
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Medications. Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
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Illnesses. Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
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Genetic susceptibility. Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others.
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Bone Grafting
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Bone Grafting
This tooth is unrestorable due to the large amount of bone loss that is missing on the front side of the tooth.
The tooth is removed and there is a large hole in the bone that needs to be filled in.
The defect in the bone is filled in with bone used from various sources.
The
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Cleanings and Prevention
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Cleanings and Prevention
A preventive (recare) program is a joint cooperative effort between you and our team to preserve your natural teeth, gums, and bones of the oral area by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.
Preventing dental disease starts at home
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Crown Lengthening
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Crown Lengthening
This procedure is typically needed for one of two reasons; either cosmetic or restorative. Crown lengthening can cosmetically improve the smile line by eliminating the "gummy" smile look. The restorative reason is to provide more tooth to be visible in the mouth so the tooth can be
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Frenectomy
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Frenectomy
Frenectomy is the surgical procedure for removing a frenum. A frenum is a fold of tissue that passes from the lip or cheek to the gum, or from the tongue to the gum as shown to the right.
A surgical procedure is required to remove a frenum if it interferes with the normal alignment of
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Gum Tissue Graft
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Gum Tissue Graft
There are two main types of gum tissue. One type is the attached tissue, which is the pink, firm gum that is attached to the bone. The other type is the unattached tissue, which is red and not attached to the bone. When the attached tissue is lost, you need a periodontal procedure
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Perio Plastic Surgery
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Perio Plastic Surgery
Many of the procedures involving the gum and bone can be considered plastic surgery. Perio plastic surgery can improve many different situations such as:
Gummy smiles - when an abnormal amount of gum tissue shows when someone smiles. This is usually corrected with crown lengthening.
Uneven
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Ridge Augmentation
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Ridge Augmentation
A key to dental implant success is the amount and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed.
Ridge deformities of the upper and lower jaw can leave you with inadequate bone and tissue thickness for either an esthetic and functional bridge or dental implant restoration.
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Scaling and Root Planing
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Scaling and Root Planing
We remove the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove the bacteria that contribute
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Sinus Lift
Category:
Dental Services, Gum and Bone
Sinus Lift
The success of an implant is largely dependent upon the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant needs to be placed. A big issue when placing implants in the back of the mouth in the upper jaw is the location of the sinus. Implants need to be placed in bone and they cannot be placed
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