Gum disease in its first stage is known as gingivitis. When it becomes severe, it advances to periodontal disease. If gum disease has attacked your mouth, don’t worry, it can be treated depending on the severity. Here we look at the following four phases of periodontal therapy.Prevention
Good oral hygiene will keep you away from periodontal disease. This is the most crucial phase of gum disease management. Cleaning your teeth well and regular visits to the dentist’s office for checkups are crucial preventive measures. Prevention is always the best option, although it is not practically a therapy.
Scaling and Root Planing
Bacteria that cause gum disease are brought about by the buildup of plaque and tartar in your teeth. The bacteria have to be cleaned if gum disease is present. A dental instrument called a scaler will be used to scrape off plaque and tartar buildup above the root surfaces, a process referred to as scaling. Root planing, on the other hand, entails scraping off biofilm and tartar and smoothening out the roots to do away with micro-dents or rough spots where bacteria and plaque could stick or hide.
Pocket Reduction
If gum disease is left to advance, it can lead to the development of pockets around the teeth. These pockets can create space for bacteria to accumulate, as the gum tissue no longer fits in closely around the tooth. When the pocket is too deep, it is surgically reduced to a size that is easy to clean at home. Irregular surfaces may be smoothened to aid the gum tissue adhere to the tooth firmly.
Gum and Bone Grafting
Where gum recession arises due to failure in treating gum disease, gum grafting will be done by collecting tissues from other areas of your mouth and putting them in affected places. In bone grafts, resorbed bone is rebuilt. A periodontist collects bone tissue from other parts of your body, like the chin, and adds it to the affected bone. Visit us at our offices where our periodontist will conduct an oral test to check for gum disease symptoms and offer the best treatment.