Periodontal Treatments

Gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. It causes bone and tissue loss around the teeth, combined with symptoms such as:

• Tooth mobility and loss
• Gum recession
• Sensitivity
• Bad breath
• Visible tartar buildup
• Gums that are swollen or bleed easily

Along with our general dentistry services, Railroad Dental Associates has several Periodontal Treatments options:

Non-Surgical Treatment
Scaling and root planning: This procedure uses an ultrasonic cleaning device to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth in which traditional cleaning devices cannot reach (under the gum line and around the root). The rough surface of the tooth and root are then smoothed; providing a healthy, clean surface for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth.

Surgical Treatment Options
Pocket Depth Reduction: Healthy teeth are surrounded by your gums and secured by the bones in your jaw. Unhealthy teeth damaged from periodontal disease have pockets around the teeth, where the gums and/or bone supporting the teeth are missing. Within these pockets it is easy for bacteria to collect inside them, leading to more and more damage. Over time the supportive structure disappears and the tooth either falls out or needs to be completely removed.

During pocket reduction procedures (also known as “flap surgery”), we’ll move the gum tissue back to remove the bacteria and hardened plaque and tartar. If necessary we will remove any dead or damaged tissue that can no longer survive. We’ll then sews the healthy tissue back into place so the gums can reattach to the teeth.

Regeneration: When the bone and tissue supporting the teeth are gone because of severe gum disease, our Doctors will perform a regeneration procedure. After removing bacteria, plaque and tartar around the gums, we will perform a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth, or he may apply a protein that stimulates tissue growth to repair the areas that have been destroyed by the disease.

Soft-Tissue Graft: A common symptom of gum disease is gum recession (also called gingival recession). As your gums recede more of the roots are exposed and this can make teeth appear longer and create sensitivity to cold and hot liquids or food. It can also cause gum disease as bacteria, plaque, and tartar damage the surface of the tooth and the root.

A soft-tissue graft procedure takes a small amount of tissue from the top of your mouth and is sewed to the effected gum area covering the roots and restoring the gum line to its original, healthy location.