Periodontal Disease Treatment

Gastonia Dentist Dr. Miller offers screenings and treatment for periodontal disease at his dentistry practice. An early diagnosis of the disease can make the difference between non-surgical periodontal treatment and full-blown gum surgery.  It’s very important to do a thorough periodontal exam, due to the fact that many studies have been recently published documenting the correlation between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.

We educate patients on the signs and symptoms of gum disease and how to prevent or arrest the development of the disease.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

The disease, also called gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss. The condition causes inflammation in the tissues surrounding teeth. The main cause of periodontitis is bacterial plaque, a highly adhesive, clear film that is constantly forming on your teeth. The bacterial infection starts in the gums and advances around the root of the teeth, eventually causing bone reduction and tooth loss.

Symptoms And Stages Of Periodontal Disease

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Mouth pain

• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing

• Increased space between the teeth

• Gums that feel swollen or tender

• Gums that appear to be receding

• Persistent bad breath

• Mouth sores

Gum disease goes through several stages. As the disease progresses in severity, the periodontal treatment options become more expensive, complex and time-intensive.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, characterized by the swelling of the gums, is the earliest and mildest form of periodontal disease. With gingivitis, gums often bleed during normal brushing and flossing. With professional treatment and consistent oral care at home, gingivitis is reversible.

Periodontitis or Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease and falls into three categories: aggressive, chronic or necrotic. No matter the type of periodontal disease, the condition is serious, and you should deal with the disease immediately in order to preserve bone structure and avoid losing teeth.

Treatment Of Periodontal Disease

We offer conservative periodontal therapy in our office: root planing and scaling. This procedure cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. Dr. Miller creates a customized follow-up schedule for patients to monitor the progress of treatment and any return of the symptoms. The scheduling of these appointments and thorough cleanings are custom-made to the requirements of treating the disease.