Periodontal Care
Periodontal treatment is an investment in your health. Treating periodontal problems will help you achieve a healthy mouth and help prevent tooth loss. In fact, with prompt treatment, proper home care, and regular dental visits, a great majority of patients can keep their teeth for a lifetime. After evaluating your periodontal health, Dr. Poer* will work with you to determine the treatment options that best meet your needs.
Please select any of the options below to learn more.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Maintenance
Diagnosis
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by Dr. Poer during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up. A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if the pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper. Dr. Poer or the dental hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc. to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below:
Gingivitis - Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-product irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed and likely to bleed. Gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment and its return is influenced most by home care.
Periodontitis - Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue to build up, the gums begin to recede or pull away from the teeth. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.
Treatment
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Dr. Poer and the dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth. If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one area of the mouth at a time and may require application of numbing gel. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gumline (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric toothbrush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Dr. Poer may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bones).
Maintenance
It only takes twenty four hours for plaque to begin forming in your mouth. Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will need special attention.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, Dr. Poer and the dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually three to four times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gumline.
Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control.
