Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is a serious condition that affects people from all walks of life. Harris Dentistry provides periodontal services for all stages of gum disease to restore your oral health.
Gum Disease Treatment in Boca Raton, FL
Gum disease, periodontal disease, and periodontitis are all phrases that we use to describe an infection in the gingiva (gums) and bone around your teeth. Since we rely on healthy structures to keep your tooth roots intact, signs of periodontitis must be identified as early as possible.
Gingivitis is the earliest sign that there’s a problem. Minor redness, swelling, or mild bleeding may be common. But if not treated with daily home care and professional cleanings, that infection can spread down into your connective tissues, creating permanent structural damage.
We offer gum disease treatment, including periodontal therapy, scaling, and root planning in Boca Raton, FL. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of gum disease below. If you are suffering from gum disease—Harris Dentistry can help. Call our office to schedule your appointment today, using the link below.
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What are the signs of periodontal disease or gum dissease?
The signs associated with gum disease can vary, depending on which stage of gum disease you’re suffering from. Please be aware that gum disease can exist and progress without any of the below symptoms so please do not wait if you suspect you’re suffering from gum disease.
Gingivitis Symptoms
- Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums due to inflammation
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Bad breath (Halitosis)
Periodontitis Symptoms
- Receding gums – gums pulling away from the teeth
- Loose teeth – due to the additional space between the teeth and gums as the disease progresses
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Bite/tooth alignment changes
Advanced Periodontitis Symptoms
- Extreme gum recession where the tooth’s roots are exposed
- Severe pain or discomfort during eating or drinking
- Tooth loss
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How much is a deep cleaning?
We aim to provide high-quality dental care that’s affordable for our patients in Boca Raton, FL. Out-of-pocket cost for any procedure depends on your insurance coverage at the time of the procedure.
- Deep Cleaning: $0 – $405
- Periodontal Scaling and Root Planning: $65
Certain PPO plans may cover 100%
Please note that the price of each procedure could vary from these numbers depending on the need–every patient and every case is different.
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How do I know if I have periodontal disease or gum disease?
Identifying gum disease as early as possible is crucial to preventing bone and tooth loss. To determine if you have gum disease, and its severity, we will:
- Review your medical history. Certain risk factors, such as genetics, taking certain medications, or smoking, can increase the likelihood of gum disease.
- Exam your teeth and gums. If you have severe plaque/tartar buildup or your gums bleed easily are both indicators that disease is present.
- Measure gum pocket depth. We place a dental probe between your teeth and gums, throughout different areas within your mouth.
- 1-3 mm is a healthy and normal gum pocket depth
- 3-5 mm is early or mild periodontitis
- 5-7 mm is moderate periodontitis
- 7-10 mm is advanced periodontitis
- Take x-rays of your mouth. Dental X-rays can reveal if you’ve suffered any bone loss in areas where deeper gum pocket depths are present.
Explore additional resources on gum disease from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).
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What causes gum disease?
There are three usual causes of gum disease. The first and most common is chronic periodontitis. This occurs when oral hygiene is neglected and bacteria accumulate beneath the gum line, eventually turning into a hard substance called tartar. Tartar is not easily removed by brushing and flossing and requires professional cleaning. If left untreated the gums become inflamed and damaged and bone loss occurs. The second cause is aggressive periodontitis, which is believed to have a genetic component as it shows up in a small number of families. It moves quickly and can even be seen in children. The last and the rarest cause is necrotizing periodontal disease. This can occur in people with immune issues and or chronic diseases. Necrotizing periodontal disease results in the soft tissues and bone being compromised due to a lack of blood flow to the area.
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How is periodontal disease or gum disease treated?
Read Our Blog: Tips for Getting Rid of GingivitisPeriodontal disease, or gum disease, is effectively treated in two ways, and which treatment you receive depends on the severity of the gum disease.
Scaling and root planning are recognized as the standard treatment for periodontitis. The procedure is highly effective in managing the condition in its early to moderate stages. It also does an excellent job of reversing its harmful effects. When providing scaling and root planing treatment, your dentist will access the areas below the gum line and between the teeth and remove harmful accumulations of plaque, tartar, and oral bacteria. Then the root surfaces will be smoothed out to prevent future accumulations. Your gums should then begin the healing process and eventually reattach themselves to the teeth.
The second treatment is called bone grafting and is often required when bacteria and plaque have reached the jawbone and caused some amount of deterioration and decay. Your dentist must surgically access the damaged jawbone in order to regenerate it. This is accomplished by applying proteins and artificial bone-like material to the areas of decay. This will help encourage new bone growth. Bone grafting is often a necessary step for strengthening the jawbone so that it can support dental implants to replace missing teeth.
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What is gum recession?
Receding gums affect about half of Americans over the age of 50. But, young people can experience gum recession too. You may be genetically predisposed to gum recession. Some people are born with thin gums. Other times the environment might contribute to recession. Things like aggressive brushing, trauma, surgery, or ill-fitting partials can cause gum recession.
Treatment of Gum Recession
If you notice a tooth looks long or you experience sensitivity or pain when brushing and flossing, you could have gum recession. Be sure to come in and have the doctor take a look. If you have recession we can typically graft a small amount of skin from your palate and patch it over the receding area. The treatment helps protect the tooth from further damage. It is a minor procedure that can be done for a single tooth or multiple teeth depending on your need.
More Questions?
If you have any questions about periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment please contact our office and we will be happy to answer any questions.
