What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as "periodontal infection",
"gum disease" or "pyorrhea") is an ongoing infection in
the gums around your teeth. The cause of periodontal disease
is infectious bacteria which gets deep into your gums.
This infection starts destroying the bone that supports
your teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss.
For more information, please see the section entitled Periodontal
Disease .
Back to the Questions
What are the symptoms of periodontal infection?
Because periodontal infection grows under your gums,
it is possible to have no symptoms at all. More
advanced cases can have some of the following symptoms:
|
Red, swollen or tender gums. |
|
Tooth sensitivity to heat/cold
|
|
Bad breath |
|
Deep pockets around the teeth |
|
Spaces between the teeth |
|
Loose or shifting teeth |
|
Missing teeth |
|
Gums receding around the teeth
(longer looking teeth) |
For more information see the section entitled Periodontal Disease.
Back to the Questions
Why, all of a sudden, is my dentist sending me to a periodontist?
Periodontists have advanced training in the treatment of periodontal disease and dental implants.
Patients with periodontal infection show weakened resistance
to periodontal bacteria. This causes a continuing gum infection
that can grow in bursts of activity. Some factors that can
cause a dramatic increase in the severity of your periodontal
disease are:
|
Poor oral hygiene |
|
Dental plaque |
|
Smoking |
|
Genetic factors |
|
Stress |
|
Diet |
|
Age |
|
Illness |
Two other important factors are:
|
Lack of regular dental checkups. |
|
Lack of regular dental cleanings. |
When your infection has a "burst" of growth,
or when there are signs that this is may occur, your dentist
may recommend periodontal treatment.
Back to the Questions
How is periodontal disease treated?
Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums and
jawbone. The goal of treatment is to remove this infection
and prevent it from coming back. For more information
see the Procedures Section .
After your initial examination, we will completely explain
the specific line of treatment required.
Back to the Questions
Does periodontal treatment hurt?
One of our primary concerns is that you have a comfortable experience during treatment. Towards this end, we offer an extensive array of the latest techniques to minimize discomfort.
For more information on these techniques, see the Procedures
Section.
Many of our patients come back stating they are amazed at how little discomfort they experienced.
Back to the Questions
What
is going to happen on my first visit?
On your first visit to our office, you will receive a
periodontal examination. You should experience little to
no discomfort during this examination. If necessary, X rays
will be taken to further evaluate any loss of bone around
your teeth.
Afterwards, our findings and your options for treatment
will be thoroughly explained. At that time, the doctor will
answer any questions you may have.
Our goal is that you leave with a complete understanding of your condition and the treatment needed to restore you to optimum oral health.
Back to the
Questions
What other
treatments do you provide?
Besides periodontal treatment and dental implants, we
can perform a number of procedures, including:
|
Crown Lengthening
|
|
Gingival (gum) Grafting |
|
Gingival (gum) Contouring |
|
Bone Grafting |
|
Frenectomy |
|
Ridge Augmentation |
For more information on these procedures, please see
the Procedures Section.
Back to the Questions
How much will treatment cost and will my insurance cover it?
Everyone deserves to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. While periodontal treatment is not as costly as replacing natural teeth due to tooth loss, its cost can vary greatly depending upon your needs.
If you have dental insurance, this may provide full or partial coverage. Our office will contact your insurance company to learn what they will cover. We do accept assignment of most insurance benefits and your responsibility will only be to cover the remainder.
We feel that finances should never be an obstacle to treatment. For your convenience, we offer several payment options. We also have payment plans to suit your individual needs. Our insurance coordinator will be happy to answer any of your financial or insurance questions.
Back to the Questions
Why must I have my periodontal infection treated?
Periodontal infection grows in "bursts of activity".
It is likely that you have been referred to us because your general dentist has noticed an increase in infection activity.
This infection eats away at the bone that supports your
teeth, leading to tooth loss. If not treated, there can
be a number of consequences. Please see the Dental &
Medical Consequences section for a list of these.
Back to the Questions
What are
the medical consequences if I delay treatment?
When periodontal infection gets into the bone around your teeth, it can then enter your blood stream. From there it travels to other parts of the body and can contribute to medical problems.
Recent research has found that patients with periodontal disease are more than twice as likely to have heart disease and stroke.
Please read the section entitled "Dental & Medical Consequences" to see an overview of recent research correlating periodontal disease with serious medical problems.
Back to the Questions
Do you work with my general dentist regarding my periodontal care?
Your general dentist knows your entire dental history, the condition of your teeth, and your future dental needs. He is in charge of your overall dental care. We work closely with him or her to ensure you will receive the best possible dental care.
In many cases, your general dentist may do your preliminary periodontal treatment and a portion of your periodontal maintenance afterwards.
Back to the Questions
What are
dental implants?
Implants are natural looking replacements for missing
teeth. The implant itself is a post that attaches to your
jawbone. This post provides an anchor for your general dentist
to place crowns, bridges or other restorations.
We are experts in the placement of dental implant posts. Dental implants begin with an evaluation by your general dentist who will decide if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
For more detailed information, please see the Section entitled "Dental Implants".
Back to the Questions
Do you use the latest equipment and techniques?
We keep ourselves up to date regarding equipment and periodontal procedures. You can be sure you will receive state-of-the-art care in our office.
Regarding sterilization, we believe that all procedures should be safe as well as comfortable. We use only the latest sterilization techniques. For more information on treatment techniques and sterilization see the Section entitled "Procedures".
Back to the Questions
Back to the Questions
|
