Periodontist, Berkeley, MO
When plaque and other bacteria cling to a person's teeth and harden, over time, it can spread to the gums and cause a severe gum infection known as periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease (Periodontitis) affects the area of the gums that holds the teeth in place. Minor gum infections can cause bad breath, bleeding gums, and sensitivity, but severe infections such as Periodontitis can cause tooth loss, jaw bone damage, and other permanent damage to a person's smile.
If periodontal disease goes untreated, it won't clear up on its own. Periodontitis requires aggressive treatment from a periodontitis, specially formulated dental solutions, and at-home treatment to heal properly. The best way to limit the effects of periodontal disease is seeking immediate medical attention from an experienced Berkeley Periodontist.
Martin Dental & Associates specializes in periodontal disease treatment, restoration of dental implants, and other types of surgical dentistry in Berkeley. If you are experiencing swelling, bleeding, or receding gums, you need to call (314) 739-1222 (Maryland Heights) or (573) 764-2425 (Gerald) and book an appointment with a periodontist right away to preserve your smile.
When Should You See a Periodontist?
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting a dentist twice a year can help prevent gum disease, but some patients are more susceptible to certain oral health conditions.
Periodontal disease 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.
Symptoms that require periodontal disease treatment in Berkeley include:
- Swollen, tender, or bright red gums - when periodontal bacteria develops, it can lead to extreme gum sensitivity, bleeding gums, and spacing between teeth
- Abnormal spaces between teeth - under the gum line can cause a person's gums to recede, tooth loss, and, over time, erode the jaw bone
- Chronic tooth pain - periodontal bacteria can destroy a person's gums and cause deep and painful pockets that can become filled with pus and abscess
Oral bacterial infections, such as perodontitis, 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 contract periodontitis, it's essential to keep in mind that it's entirely treatable and can be cured with aggressive periodontal disease treatment.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Berkeley
There are four stages of periodontal disease; gingivitis and slight, moderate, and advanced periodontitis. Each level of periodontitis comes with different challenges and therefore, requires specific types of treatment.
If your Berkeley 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, which is performed using a dental scaler to scratch buildup from the surface of each individual tooth and between the gums
- Root planing, or, the smoothing of a tooth's roots, to remove bacteria and other buildup in the area
- Applying topical antibiotics to the surface of the teeth, between each individual tooth, and along the gum line to eliminate existing bacteria and aid against regrowth
- Flap surgery is performed using a small dental knife to make a slight incision in the infected gum, then pulling back the flap and deep scaling/root planing
- Soft tissue grafting repairs soft tissue damage caused by periodontitis using small pieces of healthy tissue from other parts of the mouth
- 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 bone damage
- 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 provides in-office treatment, at-home prevention of periodontal disease typically involves brushing twice daily, flossing every morning and night or after every snack and meal, using fluoride mouth rinses to protect against infection, and a water pick to clean gums.
Berkeley Periodontist
If you think that you might have periodontitis or another type of gum disease, you need to seek treatment from an experienced periodontist immediately. 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 more than 35 years of experienced in the St. Louis dental industry. Our goal at Martin Dental & Associates is to improve your oral health, prevent future tooth, gum, or other oral health conditions, and make sure that you are happy with your experience every time you leave our office.
If you are looking for a periodontist in Berkeley, 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: