Effective Care for Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is an infection that affects the bones and tissues that support and surround the teeth. It is an incredibly common condition that affects many of our Denver cosmetic dentistry patients. Fortunately, it can be completely eradicated when treated in its earliest stages. While this is true, gum disease can be an incredibly dangerous condition as it is often unnoticed until it has progressed to its most damaging stage. When left untreated, gum disease has the potential to inflict severe damage to the gums and teeth. In the latest stage of gum disease, damage caused to the gums and teeth is irreversible. This irreversible damage can lead to the loss of one or more teeth.

Gum Disease Treatment

At University Dental Arts in Denver, gum disease treatment is based upon a patient’s unique and inpidual needs. The stage of the gum disease, the severity of the damage caused by the gum disease, the patient’s overall health, and the unique needs and goals of the patient are all considered when customizing a treatment plan. One or more of these gum disease treatment options may be included in your tailored treatment plan:

• Professional dental cleaning: We recommend that patients undergo a professional dental cleaning every six months. Professional dental cleanings enable us to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth as well as along the gum line that simply cannot be removed through traditional toothbrushing.
• Scaling and root planing: If a build-up of plaque and tartar remains on the surfaces of the teeth and below the gum line after a professional dental cleaning, we may recommend scaling and root planing. During the scaling procedure, plaque and tartar are removed from above and below the gum line. Any rough spots that remain on the roots of the teeth are then smoothed away during the root planing procedure. Removing the rough spots provides an area free of bacteria for the gum to reattach to.
• Flap surgery: Most patients will not require flap surgery after undergoing a professional dental cleaning or scaling and root planing. While this is true, a small number will still need further treatment. Flap surgery may be recommended when other treatments have failed to remove tartar build-up in the pockets of the gums. During this treatment, the gums are lifted, and tartar is removed. The gums are then sutured snugly against the teeth.
• Dental Implants: For our patients in Denver, dental implants provide a strong, durable, aesthetically pleasing solution for the replacement of a missing tooth. Patients who have experienced the loss of one or more teeth resulting from gum disease may benefit from dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts used to replace the root structure of missing teeth. Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, and once the jawbone has grown around the implant, a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture is attached.

Schedule an Examination

To learn more about gum disease treatment, or to schedule a personal examination, please contact University Dental Arts today. Our skilled staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to serving all of your dental needs.