Gum Disease Treatments Washington DC & Alexandria VA
Gum Disease Treatment Washington DC & Alexandria VA
If your periodontist has informed you that you have developed gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) it is important to schedule treatment as soon as possible. Left untreated, gum disease can cause result in numerous issues developing, including swelling and/or bleeding gums, and the eventual decay and deterioration of your jawbone and/or loss of a tooth or teeth. In addition to these oral health concerns, an increasing number of studies indicate that chronic inflammation of the gums results in systemic inflammation, which increases your risk of developing serious health issues, such as dementia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, or heart disease.
To prevent or reverse gum disease, the best thing you can do (in addition to practicing good oral hygiene habits on a daily basis) is to schedule regular periodontal maintenance. Unlike the traditional recommended dental visit every six months, patients who have developed or are more susceptible to gum disease should schedule periodontal maintenance more frequently, depending upon the severity of your case, how quickly you develop plaque, and how successful previous periodontal treatment has been.
At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty trained periodontists Dr. Justin Zalewsky and Dr. Antara Daru have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about treatment options for gum disease, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington D.C. office at (202) 296-3360.
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Stages of Gum Disease
The three stages of gum disease are:
- Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease, this stage typically presents as gums that are puffy, irritated, or swollen. If caught early enough, gingivitis can be corrected by a deep cleaning and/or alteration to your oral health care routine.
- Early Periodontitis: The next stage in gum disease, early periodontitis typically presents as gums that easily bleed, plaque buildup below your gum line, and/or mild to moderate bone loss around the teeth. Treatment options for this level of gum disease typically involve deep cleaning, laser therapy, or a combination of both.
- Advanced Periodontitis: The most advanced stage of gum disease, advanced periodontitis is characterized by the previous symptoms along wiht the development of deep pockets between the teeth and gums, and in the most severe cases, deterioration of the jawbone and/or tooth loss. Treatment options for this level of gum disease may require a deep cleaning, laser therapy, and/or a bone graft.
Gum Disease Treatments
If your periodontist has determined you have gum disease, there are several different treatment options available. Every patient will be best suited to particular treatment types depending upon their unique circumstances, but the most common treatment types include:
- Prophylaxis: If caught early enough, gum disease can be reversed by a cleaning procedure performed by a dental hygienist.
- Scaling and root planing: Also known as a deep cleaning, scaling and root planing removes bacteria and toxic elements that have accumulated beneath the gums and smooths the surface of the root to eliminate infection and reduce the likelihood of infection returning.
- Surgery: For patients who have developed advanced periodontitis, gum surgery combined with regenerative procedures may be recommended to restore lost tissue and eliminate the disease.
- Bone graft: Patients with advanced gum disease will begin to lose bone around their tooth, resulting in tooth loss. To correct this issue and create sufficient stability for dental implants, a bone graft procedure will be necessary.