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Gum disease, also know as periodontitis, is an inflammation of the gums due to specific bacteria. This can cause bone loss around your teeth, from mild to severe, up to the point a tooth becomes wobbly and is lost due to gum disease. Smoking, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, old crowns and bridge work are some of the contributing factors to gum disease. This disease damages the teeth, gum, and jawbone of more than 80 percent of the general population by age 45.
We pride ourselves on the fact that we are conservative in our treatment recommendations and limit surgery to the areas where it is absolutely necessary.
Many times, the early stages of periodontal disease are best treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy. Even in severe cases, non-surgical periodontal therapy precedes surgical therapy. This is done to improve the overall tissue quality prior to surgery and also to help limit the areas requiring surgery.
How do I know I have Gum Disease?
Frequently, it is the dentist or hygienist who has spotted the problem. However, you may have noticed that your gums bleed when you brush them or that your breath is unpleasant. Your teeth may feel slightly mobile or have even drifted forwards. The gums may have become swollen and painful occasionally requiring antibiotics.
What is the first appointment like?
The first appointment will involve a detailed assessment, with specific measurements taken. This will allow us to realise the stage of progression, perform a correct diagnosis and determine the treatment needed. It will also provide a baseline record for later comparison to check the response to treatment.
How is Gum Disease treated?
A deep cleaning of the roots of the teeth is performed combined in some cases with antibiotics. A local anaesthetic is sometimes needed for this procedure. This is called non surgical periodontal therapy. This is the first important step to achieve healthy gums and stop the progression of bone loss. If there is generalised periodontitis throughout the mouth, a number of treatment sessions may be required to make sure treatment is thorough and the best conditions are in place for good healing.
Do I need Gum Surgery?
For advanced forms of periodontitis, gum surgery may be needed to obtain sufficient access to clean the roots of the teeth. The goals of treatment are to arrest the progression of the disease and create a stable gum situation which is easily maintained, though it is unusual for new bone to grow back around teeth.
A patient who is not in the best state of health or has dental or gum problems near the implant, can be more prone to having problems with their implants. Failure is definitely associated with smoking. Smokers may have poor bone quality and a poor healing capacity.
The first sign of peri-implant disease may be soreness or bleeding from the gums around the implant. If the patient notices any symptoms of this condition, it is imperative that they see the periodontist as soon as possible. Treatment at this stage may prevent progressive bone loss which can ultimately lead to implant loss.
Peri-implantitis treatment consists of cleaning meticulously the implant under the gum using ultrasonics and jet-polishing often in combination with application of local antibiotics under the gums. For more advanced or serious cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, which Maria can perform under local anaesthesia or sedation. Grafting with bone scaffold materials and/or with soft tissue grafts may also be offered in order to replace the missing bone tissue or thicken the surrounding gum.
Bone and soft tissue grafting may also be the treatment of choice in cases of aesthetic problems around implants due to gum recession around them.