Healthy gums are the essential foundation for healthy dental implants in Hanover. With the help of our in-house periodontist and general dentist at Elevate Dental Implant Center, we can ensure that your gums are in good health and able to sustain a dental implant.
If you are worried that your gum disease will prevent you from qualifying for a dental implant, come see our team of experts. We can help you restore your gum health following gum disease and get you back on track toward your dream smile. It is crucial to have healthy gums, in order to have a successful restoration using dental implants.
What is gum disease?
Oftentimes, gum disease can be treated in its earliest stage, gingivitis, with a thorough dental cleaning. However, if you have advanced periodontitis, you may be already experiencing damage to your gums and natural bone, leaving your teeth loose, sensitive, or even resulting in tooth loss. Symptoms of gum disease include:
- Inflamed Gums
- Tender Gums
- Bleeding Gums
- Sensitive Teeth
- Receding Gums
- Loose Teeth
- Bad Breath
When remaining teeth cannot be saved due to the severe nature of your gum disease, our office can extract your damaged teeth and treat your gum disease with periodontal treatment. Once your gum disease is taken care of, we can then provide permanent tooth replacement with dental implants.
Gum disease is caused by an excess of bacteria that builds up around the gum line and eats away at your soft tissues. We recommend brushing and flossing at least twice a day to remove built-up plaque and bacteria.
Additionally, you should see your general dentist at least once every six months for a professional dental cleaning. During your dental cleaning, any plaque or tartar will be removed from your gum line to prevent gum disease development. The best way to avoid the progression of gum disease is to practice a strict oral hygiene routine at home and have a professional dental examination and cleaning at least twice annually.
The Four Stages of Gum Disease
There are four stages of gum disease. It is important to identify the signs of each stage so that we can diagnose and treat periodontitis before it causes permanent damage.
Gingivitis: The first stage is gingivitis. This is the earliest stage, and if caught, it can be reversed easily. It does not cause much pain, and some patients don’t know they have it. Signs of gingivitis may include swollen or inflamed gums and bleeding upon contact. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth often, this is a major sign of gingivitis.
Slight Periodontal Disease: The second stage is slight periodontal disease. In this stage damage cannot be reversed, however we can still stop the progression of the disease. Signs may include red, swollen gums, bleeding, and sensitivity. Your gums may also begin to form pockets around the teeth that house bacteria and plaque.
Moderate Periodontal Disease: The third stage is moderate periodontal disease. This stage is more serious and puts patients at risk for tooth loss. Once you have reached this stage, your teeth and bones will have started to deteriorate. This damage is irreversible. Although damage cannot be reversed, it is still crucial to seek treatment to prevent the disease from progressing.
Advanced Periodontal Disease: The last stage is advanced periodontal disease. Once patients have reached this stage, damage is not reversible, and patients are at risk for loss of all teeth. Patients’ gums may ache, and it is estimated that once you have reached this stage, you have lost 50-80% of the jaw bone. In order to prevent the risk of losing all teeth, treatment is necessary.
Treating gum disease: what are the options?
The recommended treatment for your gum disease will be dependent upon the stage of disease and severity of damage to gum tissues. Dr. Sethi will evaluate the condition of your gums, including any impact on the integrity of the teeth. We offer the periodontal surgeries necessary to repair damaged gums and restore a healthy and beautiful smile.
- Gingivectomy: the surgical removal of diseased and damaged gum tissue where advanced periodontitis has caused the gums to pull away from the teeth, causing pockets that can expose tooth roots. This procedure will improve gum health by stimulating the growth of healthy tissue around the teeth.
- Tissue grafting: to treat gum recession or to augment gum tissue for the placement of dental implants, tissue grafting typically involves removing some tissue from the upper palate and placing it in areas being treated.
- Osseous surgery: another surgical technique for addressing pockets that have developed as a result of advancing gum disease, osseous surgery may be recommended to remove infected gum tissue, reduce pockets, and repair damaged bone tissue. If bone tissue is also being addressed it may involve grafting of new bone tissue before the gum tissue is closed over it.
- Gum contouring is a cosmetic dental procedure aimed at enhancing the appearance of the gum line. It involves removing or reshaping excess gum tissue to achieve a more balanced and proportionate smile.
Periodontal treatment FAQs
Do you have further questions about periodontal disease and treatment? Continue reading to learn more and find answers to frequently asked questions in our office.
Is periodontal treatment painful?
Periodontal treatment can be painful from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the periodontal disease. If caught in its earlier stages and treated, most patients report little to no pain. As the disease progresses, your gums may become tender, and you may require more in-depth treatment that may cause pain.
What are the stages of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a progressive disease that is divided into 4 stages. As patients progress into further stages the infection gets worse. The order of the stages begins with gingivitis. It then developed into slight periodontal disease, then moderate periodontal disease, and finally advanced periodontal disease.
Is periodontitis curable?
Periodontal disease can be treated and cured if caught in its earliest stage, gingivitis. As the disease develops and worsens, the chance of being able to cure it is less likely. There are four main stages of periodontitis. The first stage damage is reversible, however, as you progress into further stages damage cannot be cured. Treatment may be used to stop the disease from progressing, however, it cannot be reversed.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
You can receive dental implants even if you are in the advanced stages of gum disease. If you suspect you are showing signs of gum disease development, schedule an appointment with our trained dental professionals. We’ll ensure your gums are healthy enough to receive dental implants by treating your gum disease using our minimally invasive techniques.