Gum Tissue Treatment
We believe that early, conservative treatment of gum disease is best whenever possible. A thorough assessment of your gum health is part of our comprehensive new patient examination. Should gum treatment be necessary, a personalized treatment program will be recommended.
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. It has been estimated that 80% of adults have some stage of gum disease. Patients with gum disease incur an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications. Left untreated, the periodontal diease will continue to destroy tooth-supporting bone and gum tissue.
Gum Disease is progressive over time. It advances in stages
Healthy Gum Tissue
- Firm, pink colored gum tissue
- No bleeding when brushing & flossing
Stage One: Gingivitis
- Red gum tissue at the gumline area
- Bleeding when brushing & flossing
Stage Two: Early Periodontitis
- Red, swollen, bleeding beyond the gumline area
- Beginning oftooth-supporting boneloss
- Gum tissue peels away from the roots forming pockets
Stage Three: Moderate to Advanced Periodontitis
- Gums badly infected, swollen, bleeding with pus formation
- Advancing bone loss with loose teeth
- Gums are painful
- Continuing bad breath
TREATMENT OF GUM DISEASE
The treatment of periodontal disease depends on the stage of the disease.
Early to moderate gum disease (Stage One and Stage Two above) is normally treated non-surgically. Advanced (Stage Three) gum disease may likely involve gum surgery and possibly loss of teeth.
Our Periodontal Disease Treatment Program is a combination of two very effective non-surgical therapies:
1. Perio-Protect Therapy Program
Periodoontal disease is primarily a bacterial infection. Therefore, it is important to treat the disease at it's source - in the gum pockets, where the pathologic bacteria thrive. The Perio-Protect Program uses custom-made appliances made for your mouth to deliver the medications into the pocket areas.
2. Low-Level Laser Therapy
In order for the gum tissue to heal properly, it is necessary to eliminate the infected tissue lining the gum pockets. This will allow the tissue to reattach to the roots surfaces of the teeth so that the pockets can heal, decreasing the depth of the pockets. In the past, gum surgery was the only option available for removal of the infected tissue lining the gum pockets. Once the gum pockets are healed, cleaning the pocket areas then becomes easier and more efficient - both in the dental office and at home.
The combined use of these two latest technologies has been shown to be more effective in eliminating and controlling the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease infection. The removal of plaque and tartar also becomes easier during treatment.
The use of LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY and the application of effective localized medications available through the PERIO-PROTECT THERAPY PROGRAM® is a winning combination. In many cases, gum surgery can be avoided.
THE PERIO-PROTECT GUM THERAPY PROGRAM
The Perio-Protect Therapy Program® is a revolutionary new method to treat most periodontal disease (also known as gum disease, gingivitis or periodontitis) using an FDA-approved system.
PERIO-PROTECT APPLIANCE
The Perio-Protect Therapy Progam® for treating periodontal disease features very comfortable appliances worn over your teeth and gums for just minutes a day at home or at work. The appliances are used to deliver dentist-prescribed medications directly to the source of the gum infection in the infected gum pockets, in order to help heal your gums and restoring your oral health. The appliance is clear and flexible and easy to use.
Unlike traditional periodontal surgery, the Perio-Protect Therapy Therapy Program® involves less lost time from work and costs considerably less than gum surgery. The best news of all - it is very effective. This method of treatment is most effective for mild to moderate periodontal disease.
PERIODONTAL LASER THERAPY
Low-Level Diode Laser Therapy is one of the most advanced technologies available for the treatment of periodontal disease. In conjunction with micro-ultrasonic instruments to remove biofilm and tartar, the laser enables the elimination of the infected tissue that lines the gum pocket without harming any healthy tissue-lining areas. In most cases, the procedure is painless or requires only the application of a long-acting topical numbing agent (no needle).