Gum Disease - Treatment

Your dentist and hygienist want to help you avoid gum disease altogether. We encourage our patients to visit us at least twice a year for routine exams and professional cleanings. Having your hygienist clean your teeth is not only relaxing; it is an ideal way to remove plaque, and the only way to remove tartar buildup from the gum line.

The goal of gum disease treatment is to control infection. If we are able to catch gum disease while it is still in the early stage of gingivitis, we stand a good chance of eliminating infection and avoiding the need for ongoing treatment. Once gingivitis is treated, gum health is best maintained with regular oral hygiene at home and maintenance in the office of your North Hollywood dentist.

Being a progressive condition, gum disease does not have a single form of treatment. We design gum disease treatments based on several factors, such as patients’ health and the severity of the disease. Regardless of the type of treatment provided for gum disease, ongoing oral care at home is necessary for sustained oral health.

Early treatments

Deep cleaning

The standard treatment for gum disease is to clean infection and bacteria from periodontal pockets. Deep cleanings performed by your hygienist include the removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. This is the scaling process, which is performed after the application of local anesthetic. Root planing follows scaling. Root planing involves smoothing out the roots of affected teeth so that bacteria cannot easily collect on these surfaces, and gum tissue can easily reattach.

Medications

Medications may be used as an adjunct to deep cleaning to treat early gum disease. Medications for gum disease may include antibacterial rinses, oral antibiotics, or a topical antibiotic gel. Topical gel may be applied into periodontal pockets after root scaling and planing. Rinses may be used as a part of treatment for gingivitis. Your dentist will discuss which, if any, medication is most suitable to handle your particular problem.

Gum surgery

Your dentist tries to avoid gum surgery as much as possible. If you experience the signs of gum disease, we encourage you to visit us right away. This is the best way to avoid ongoing infection and prevent the need for the surgical treatment of gum disease. There are two common surgical procedures that may be necessary if gum disease progresses.

Flap surgery

If inflammation and deep pockets do not improve after treatment with deep cleaning and medications, your dentist may recommend flap surgery. This procedure removes any tartar or plaque that has built up, and reduces the size of the periodontal pocket. A reduction in pocket size means easier cleaning and better maintenance of gum disease, and means that gums will fit better around the tooth, improving support.

Bone and tissue grafting

If periodontitis has affected the underlying bone, your dentist may want to promote regeneration with bone or tissue grafting. Bone grafting encourages bone growth by placing synthetic bone in the area where degeneration has occurred. Bone tissue regeneration may also be recommended based on need. This procedure includes the placement of a small piece of mesh-like material between the gum tissue and the bone, preventing the growth of gum tissue where bone should be. If periodontitis has led to root exposure, your dentist may cover the roots with a soft tissue graft.

Every person is different, and gum disease has various consequences that require specialized care. Dr. Elzayat is extensively trained and he holds a Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Backed by years of experience, your dentist can help you handle gum disease. Contact us today for your visit.