Periodontics

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Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease that causes redness, swelling, bleeding, and tenderness of the gums. Gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment. If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, gingivitis can progress into permanent bone loss and possible tooth loss.

What Causes Gingivitis?

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Plaque is an invisible film that forms on your teeth, tongue, and gums. After 24 hours of not brushing, plaque having over 100,000 bacteria in it begins to harden into calculus (tartar). Calculus becomes hard and cannot be removed at home by brushing and flossing. Only a dental professional can remove the calculus with special instruments. Keeping up with good oral hygiene and coming in for regular dental appointments can help prevent gingivitis.

What Are Some Risk Factors Causing Gum Disease?

Poor oral hygiene habits
Tobacco/substance use
Diabetes
Older age
Decreased immunity as a result of leukemia, HIV/AIDS or other conditions
Medications
Viral and fungal infections
Dry mouth
Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menstrual cycle or birth control
Poor nutrition

Periodontal Disease - Periodontal Therapy

Untreated gingivitis progresses into Periodontal Disease. The bone around the teeth breaks down causing tooth mobility and sensitivity. Bone loss is permanent and can eventually lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Long teeth can affect your speech, chewing abilities, and overall health.

Periodontal disease can be associated with heart disease, stroke, lung disease, arthritis, and premature births.

Treatment often includes an immediate hygiene follow up of therapeutic ultrasonic scaling, irrigation of medicament to suppress activity of bacteria, laser therapy and a take home rinse. In most cases we will perform a High Risk Pathogen Test that tests for high-rish bacteria in the mouth through saliva testing.

Each patients' Periodontal Therapy session may be custom tailored dependent on the location(s) and severity of gum disease. If disease becomes irreversible and in severe cases, LANAP therapy may be recommended.

Advanced Periodontal Disease - LANAP Therapy

In some cases, due to bacteria or infection, a more serious treatment is needed. This stage is considered advanced periodontal disease.

Dr. Alyssa Perlick and Dr. Wyn Steckbauer are licensed to perform LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) which is a minimally invasive method of treating gum disease and infection. The LANAP Procedure can be a welcomed option when more serious treatment is needed and may avoid you a trip to a specialist for traditional gum surgery.

LANAP is an outpatient procedure that often has the patient in and out of the office within a few hours. Because of the gentle nature of the procedure, patients typically report faster healing time, and immediate results with less bleeding and bad breath. As with any surgery, there is a recovery period where the tissue needs time to heal, but many patients will return to work and relatively normal activity within 24 hours.

The true benefits of LANAP over traditional gum surgery are less discomfort, minimal recovery time, little to no gum recession and reduced gum inflammation and bleeding.

Click the button below to watch a short animated video on the LANAP procedure.

Animated Video of LANAP Procedure