GINGIVAL AND PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

| GINGIVAL AND PERIODONTAL TREATMENT (GUM SURGERIES)

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease (periodontal disease). It develops when plaque, tartar and bacteria build up on your teeth, causing red, swollen, bleeding gums.

You can successfully manage gingivitis, especially with the help of a dentist. But left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis (a more severe type of gum disease involving bone loss in your jaw).

Treatment may be done by a dentist or a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum disease. A dental hygienist may work with your dentist or periodontist as part of your treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to surrounding gum tissue and bone. You have the best chance for successful treatment when you also have a daily routine of good oral care, manage health conditions that may impact dental health and stop tobacco use.

Root planing

Root planing smooths the root surfaces. This helps prevent further buildup of tartar and bacteria. It also helps your gums attach to your teeth again.

SUB GINGIVALCURETTAGE

Subgingival curettage is a dental surgical procedure that severs the connective tissue attachment down to the osseous crest. It's performed apical to the junctional epithelium.

The procedure involves:

Removing the connective tissue attachment down to the osseous crest
Planing the root surface to remove deposits and smooth the surface
Removing subgingival granulation tissue, epithelium, and other pocket contents

PERIODONTAL FLAP SURGERY

When advanced gum disease (periodontitis) develops, your teeth are in danger: At this stage, the ligaments and bone tissue that surround them are being destroyed, and you could even begin losing teeth! If the disease can't be controlled by non-surgical treatments like cleaning and scaling, then periodontal flap surgery may be your best treatment option.

Flap surgery is today's leading method for treating and repairing periodontal pockets. What are these “pockets?” They are areas below the gum line where gum tissue has detached from the teeth, resulting in an uncleansable space where harmful bacteria can proliferate. These bacteria cause inflammation of the tissues, resulting in sensitivity, bleeding, and pain. Left untreated, they can cause a host of problems including gum disease, loss of the tooth-supporting bone structure, and possibly even systemic (whole-body) problems.

When periodontal pockets develop, the first step in treating them is usually via cleaning and scaling (also referred to as root debridement) with a manual or ultrasonic instrument. If this isn't effective, then periodontal surgery is considered. Flap surgery isn't a cure for periodontal disease — but it helps create an environment that makes it easier to maintain your periodontal health. And even if you're prone to gum disease, proper professional treatment and regular care at home can help keep your teeth healthy for as long as possible.

LASER GUM SURGERIES (LANAP)

What is the procedure for laser gum surgery?

The LANAP, or laser-assisted new attachment procedure, is often used to treat gum disease.

Here's what you can expect from laser gum surgery:

Your periodontist will put the fiber optic tip of the laser at the highest point of the periodontal pocket. The laser is about the size of three human hairs.
The laser will utilize pinpointed light to eliminate ailing and inflamed gum tissue from the pocket. (The laser is intended to eliminate diseased tissue. It doesn't eliminate or damage healthy gum tissue. The laser likewise eliminates disease-causing germs and bacteria from the periodontal pocket)
Once the pocket is cleaned of harmed tissue and bacteria, the laser is set aside.
Your periodontist then an utilizes a ultrasonic cleaning tool to break apart and eliminate tartar and calcifications with sound waves.
The laser is reintroduced into the pocket too deep to clean the base and remove the debris.
The laser likewise sterilizes tissue and bone and stimulates the development of a blood clot. The blood clot speeds up recuperating and assists in gum tissue reattachment to the tooth. This takes out the need for stitches.