Periodontal Therapy For Gum Disease

Protect Your Teeth And Gums With Expert Care

Did you know that about 47% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease? While it’s not very harmful in the first stage, gum disease can progress and cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums if you don’t get treatment.

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At The Legacy Dental Group, Dr. Jonathan Bookout is here to help. We offer a wide range of periodontal therapy services in Evans, GA, to reverse or halt the progression of gum disease, restore your smile, and protect your oral health.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also called “periodontal disease,” happens when lots of bacteria build up in your mouth and begin to attack your gums. If you don’t maintain good oral hygiene, bacteria-filled plaque and tartar will build up between your teeth and gums.

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Eventually, these bacteria will begin to infect the gum tissue itself. Initially, this leads to minor symptoms like gum irritation, redness, and tenderness. But as the infection gets worse, the bacteria will begin to attack and destroy your gum and jaw tissue, eventually leading to issues like loose teeth, changes in how your teeth fit together, and even tooth loss.

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The best way to prevent gum disease is to maintain a good at-home oral hygiene routine. You should brush at least twice a day, floss once per day, and eat a healthy diet that’s low in sugary snacks and drinks. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use can also help prevent gum disease.

Recognizing The Stages Of Gum Disease

Gum disease can be split into three primary stages. The first stage, gingivitis, is reversible. The other two are not. This is why it’s so essential to get periodontal therapy in Evans, GA, as soon as you notice the symptoms of gum disease. What are these symptoms? Here’s a brief overview:

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• Gingivitis – The first stage of gum disease has pretty minor symptoms. You may notice that your gums look a bit swollen and tender, and they may be dark, red, or discolored. Your teeth may also bleed easily when you brush and floss.
  
  
• Periodontitis – Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease. The infection has gotten worse and damaged the gums and teeth, but can be controlled with proper care.  You may notice things like gum recession (teeth look longer), persistent bad breath (halitosis), and tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink.
• Advanced periodontitis – In the final stage of gum disease, bacteria attack the soft tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. You may notice symptoms like loose teeth, changes in your bite, chronic oral pain, and pockets of foul-tasting pus forming in your mouth.

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Exploring Your Options For Periodontal Treatment

Deep cleaning (scaling & root planing)

A deep cleaning, also called “scaling & root planing,” is typically the first step in gum disease treatment for minor to moderate periodontitis. In this treatment, Dr. Bookout will numb your mouth and use special dental tools to clean deeply between your gums and your teeth.

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This eliminates bacteria-filled “pockets” that form below your teeth. Then, he will smooth out the roots of your teeth to reduce the size of these pockets and encourage gum reattachment. Typically, half of your mouth will be cleaned during each visit, so you’ll need two appointments to complete your deep cleaning.

Pocket reduction surgery

In some cases, pocket reduction surgery may be needed to reduce the size of periodontal pockets. In this procedure, Dr. Bookout will fold back the gum tissue, then clean the roots of your teeth to eliminate bacteria and inflamed gum material.

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Then, Dr. Bookout will close up the gums around the teeth, eliminating the periodontal pockets where oral bacteria can collect. In some cases, this procedure may be combined with bone ridge augmentation or a bone graft to restore damaged jawbone tissue.

Guided tissue regeneration

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is used alongside bone grafts to restore bone tissue that has been damaged by gum disease. In this procedure, Dr. Bookout will place a bone graft in the damaged area and apply a special membrane between your gums and jawbone. This barrier ensures that fast-growing gum tissue does not interfere with the slower-growing bone tissue as it regenerates and strengthens your jawbone. 

Get Expert Periodontal Care And Protect Your Oral Health

If you think you may have gum disease in Evans, GA, don’t wait. The sooner you get help, the more likely it is that Dr. Bookout can halt the progress of your periodontal disease, or even reverse it entirely. If you’re ready to get started at The Legacy Dental Group, give us a call at (762) 315-0640 or book your first visit online. We’re always accepting new patients.