Periodontist, Webster Groves, MO
Periodontal disease, which is a severe gum infection, begins as gingivitis, which is a moderate form of gum disease caused by plaque and other buildups.
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 Webster Groves Periodontist and get treatment.
Martin Dental & Associates provides periodontal disease treatment, restoration of dental implants, and other types of surgical dentistry in Webster Groves. If you have swollen gums, bleeding when you floss, or have noticed spacing in your teeth, 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?
Gum disease is preventable with daily brushing, flossing, and bi-annual dental cleanings. But, even with regular oral health maintenance, some patients are more genetically predisposed to gingivitis, periodontitis, and other oral health conditions.
Periodontal disease is typically detected during standard dentist appointments. During a dental examination, your dentist will use a "probe," which is a tiny ruler, to measure the depth of your teeth's pockets, search for bone loss or damage, and look for other signs of gum disease, oral cancer, and other conditions.
If you have noticed any of the following symptoms, you could have periodontitis and require immediate treatment from a Webster Groves Periodontist:
- Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums - when periodontal bacteria develops, it can lead to extreme gum sensitivity, bleeding gums, and spacing between teeth
- Abnormal spaces between teeth - plaque buildup and calculus can lead to gum recession and tooth loss, and destroy the jaw bone
- Severe 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, are preventable with biannual visits to the visit, brushing twice a day, and glossing, but if you do develop periodontitis, it's important to remember that it's entirely treatable and can be cured with aggressive periodontal disease treatment.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Webster Groves
There are four stages of gum disease; gingivitis and slight, moderate, and advanced periodontitis. Each stage of gum disease comes with different challenges and therefore, requires specific types of treatment.
If your Webster Groves Periodontist thinks that you might have periodontitis, 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 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 carefully applied to the root of infected teeth to prevent further infection and generate natural bone and healthy 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 protect against infection, and a dental pick to clean along the gum line.
Webster Groves Periodontist
If you think that you could have periodontitis or another type of gum disease, you need to get help from an experienced periodontist immediately. Early detection of gingivitis can prevent severe oral health 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 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 happy with our Webster Groves dental services every time you visit our office.
If you are looking for a Webster Groves Periodontist, 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: