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Periodontist

Periodontist

Periodontist, St. Louis, Missouri

Periodontal disease, which is a severe gum infection, begins as gingivitis, which is a moderate form of gum disease caused by plaque and other buildup.

Periodontal disease (Periodontitis) is a severe oral health condition, that, if untreated, can damage a patient's jaw bone, form deep pockets in a person's gums, cause chronic gum pain, and in its advanced stages, lead to the erosion of enamel and tooth loss.

While periodontitis can take weeks to heal and require surgery, specialty oral hygiene products, and other treatment, it isn't a permanent condition. At the first sign of periodontal disease, it's essential to schedule an examination with a St. Louis Periodontist and get treatment.

Martin Dental & Associates specializes in periodontal disease treatment, restoration of dental implants, and other types of surgical dentistry in St. Louis. If you are experiencing swelling, bleeding, or receding gums, you need to call (314) 739-1222 (Maryland Heights) or (573) 764-2425 (Gerald) and schedule an appointment with a periodontist right away to protect your oral health.




When Should You See a Periodontist?

Gum disease is preventable with daily brushing, flossing, and bi-annual dental cleanings. However, even with regular oral health maintenance, some patients are more genetically predisposed to gingivitis, periodontitis, and other oral health conditions.

Periodontitis can be detected during a dental examination using a dental "probe" to search for deep pockets surrounding the sides of teeth, x-rays to see if any bone loss has occurred, and discussing a patient's family oral health history. Additionally, factors such as smoking and diabetes can significantly contribute to the development of gum disease.

If you have noticed any of the following symptoms, you could have periodontitis and require immediate treatment from a St. Louis Periodontist:

  • Swollen, tender, or bright red gums - periodontal disease affects the gums and jaw bone - if your gums are bright red, sore, swollen, or painful, you could have gum disease
  • Abnormal spaces between teeth - plaque buildup and calculus under the gum line can cause a person's gums to recede, tooth loss, and, over time, erode the jaw bone
  • Chronic tooth pain - gum inflammation can cause deep pockets surrounding the teeth, that fill with pus, and when food, air, or water touches it, can lead to extreme sensitivity and pain, and make it challenging to eat, drink, or talk

In many cases, periodontal disease can be prevented with regular visits to the dentist office, specialty dental products, and brushing/flossing at home between dental appointments. But, if you do develop periodontitist, it's important to keep in mind that it's entirely treatable and can be cured with aggressive periodontal disease treatment.


Periodontal Disease Treatment in St. Louis

There are four stages of periodontal disease; gingivitis and slight, moderate, and advanced periodontitis. Each stage of periodontitis comes with different challenges and therefore, requires specific types of treatment.

If your St. Louis Periodontist detects gingivitis or another form of gum disease during your visit, you could require one or more of the following types of periodontal disease treatment:

  • Scaling, or, tartar and buildup removal, from the surface of the tooth and between the gums
  • Root planing, or, the smoothing of a tooth's roots, to remove bacteria and other buildup in the area
  • Topical antibiotics to remove harmful bacteria from between a patient's teeth, inside deep pockets, and under the gum line
  • Flap surgery involves making a small incision in the gum, lifting it back, and performing deep scaling and root planing
  • Soft tissue grafting restores soft tissue damaged by periodontal disease
  • Bone grafting, which is used during advanced periodontal disease treatment, involves using bone from non-infected areas to help aid natural regrowth of bone and prevent future tooth loss
  • Guided tissue regeneration, which involves placing a fabric between existing bone and tooth to prevent deeper infection and allows bone to grow back over time
  • Tissue-stimulating proteins are a special gel that is applied to a diseased tooth root to prevent deeper infection and stimulate natural growth of bone and tissue

After your periodontist performs in-office treatment, at-home prevention of periodontal disease typically involves brushing twice a day, flossing daily or after every snack and meal, using special mouth rinses to prevent infection, and using a water or dental pick to clean deep under the gums.


St. Louis Periodontist

If you think that you might have periodontitis or some form of gum disease, you need to seek treatment from an experienced periodontist right away. The sooner that gum disease and periodontal disease are detected, the lower chance there is for severe, irreversible damage such as tooth loss, gum decay, and bone destruction.

Dr. John Martin and Dr. Tyler Musto have a combined total of over 35 years of dental experience. Our periodontists' goal is to get your oral health in optimal shape, prevent future tooth, gum, or other oral health conditions, and make sure that you are satisfied with your experience every time you leave our office.

If you are looking for a periodontist in St. Louis, call (314) 739-1222 (Maryland Heights), (573) 764-2425 (Gerald), or contact Martin Dental & Associates today to schedule an appointment.


Martin Dental & Associates serves residents in the following cities in the Greater St. Louis Area: