Periodontitis, sometimes referred to as advanced gum disease, is a serious issue. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that as many as 50 percent of all adults over 30 in the United States suffer from this condition. They are in serious need of advanced periodontal therapy in order to avoid losing teeth, dealing with painful gums, and other dental issues. Unfortunately, some people don’t realize they have a need for advanced periodontal therapy. Others may not have the financial resources to see a periodontist.

The first step is to identify that you’re suffering from periodontitis. Then you can consider seeking advanced periodontal therapy before the disease reaches that point that you start losing teeth.

Many people have heard about gingivitis or gum disease. Many people deal with gingivitis, but some don’t realize that it’s the first stage of what later becomes periodontitis. Gingivitis begins when you don’t remove the plaque from your teeth. This plaque includes bacteria that slowly seep into your gums, infecting them. That’s when they start to become swollen and appear red. If you brush them, they usually start to bleed.

The good news is that at this point, you don’t need advanced periodontal therapy. All you need to do is get a professional cleaning from your dentist and begin practicing good oral hygiene. By brushing and flossing regularly, you can defeat gingivitis before it becomes more serious.

Unfortunately, if you don’t treat it, gingivitis does progress into periodontitis. This happens when the bacteria in the gums start to affect the ligaments and bone of the mouth. This is where your teeth are anchored. As the bacteria cause the ligaments to weaken and the bone to thin, your teeth won’t be as strong. Some may even become loose and fall out. Without advanced periodontal therapy, you could even lose most of your teeth to this disease. You’re also likely to experience a good amount of pain from eating and drinking, especially as the roots of the teeth become exposed.

There are a number of different types of advanced periodontal therapy that can help you battle advanced gum disease. The first thing your periodontist may try is a nonsurgical form of treatment. This method is known as scaling and root planning or SRP. The denial starts by scraping off all of the plaque or tartar that has built up on your teeth. They also use a process called scaling that removes the tartar and plaque from the root surfaces. Next, they smooth out any rough areas near the roots to stop bacteria from collecting there again. You may need several of these treatments to truly deal with periodontitis.

Unfortunately, if your gum disease is fairly advanced, you may need a surgical form of advanced periodontal therapy. These methods are more likely to succeed in treating periodontitis, but they are more involved and can be more painful. The first method often used is called a pocket reduction. If your gums aren’t growing back around your teeth, you may need this done. The periodontist will fold your gums back, remove the bacteria, and smooth out the area. This helps the gums reattach and remain healthy.

Gum grafts are another way of dealing with gums that aren’t reattaching as they should. If your gums have receded so much that the roots of your teeth are exposed, the periodontist may need to remove some of the tissue from the palate and actually graft it onto the gum. This advanced periodontal therapy will help protect the roots of the teeth and can reduce the pain you feel from eating or drinking.

Another form of advanced periodontal therapy is to graft bone into the area where bacteria have eaten away some of the existing bone. The periodontist first cleans the area to remove bacteria before grafting bone onto the area. This bone can be natural bone taken from other parts of the bone, or it can be synthetic. The periodontist also adds proteins to the area that help promote tissue and bone growth.

Once you’ve had advanced periodontal therapy, you will likely need to return to your periodontist or dentist regularly. These first visits will be to check on your gums and make certain the treatment is working. If it’s not, you may need another form of advanced periodontal therapy. Once the periodontist is satisfied that the periodontitis has been dealt with, you will need to regularly go in for cleanings and checkups.

It’s very easy for gingivitis to return, especially if you don’t brush and floss as you should. Once your gums start to become sensitive and hurt or bleed when brushing, you’re even more likely to stop practicing good oral hygiene. When that happens, you’re likely to move into periodontitis again.

There are some other things your periodontist will urge you to do when you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis. You should stop smoking, since that makes it more difficult for the body to heal and can lead to a host of other health problems. You should also cut back on how many sugary snacks and soft drinks you consume. Those will only lead to worsening oral health.

If your gums are sensitive or swollen, if you have loose teeth, or if you have pain in your mouth, you may be in need of advanced periodontal therapy. When you develop periodontitis, you can’t treat it on your own. You need to see a specialized periodontist rather than a general dentist. That’s because these experts have additional training in advanced periodontal therapy and understand the many different illnesses that periodontitis can cause. They can help heal your gums and may even be able to prevent you from needing teeth extracted.

Contact Walker Periodontics & Implant dentistry today at (972) 462-9800 to learn more about how you can benefit from advanced periodontal therapy.

It has been said that your smile is the most important thing you can put on every day. A smile can start a friendship, soothe ruffled feathers, signify an apology, or indicate strong affection for another person. Your smile has the power to change the world around you. It is no wonder, then, that dental health is one of the most important healthcare issues people face.
Dealing with tooth loss is nothing new, but in recent years, dentists have developed new techniques to remedy the issue. One of the most innovative methods of replacing lost teeth is dental implants.

Dental implants are small posts made of titanium that are surgically implanted into the patient’s jawbone. The posts act as roots for the missing teeth, and bond with the jawbone to create a solid foundation for the patient’s artificial teeth. Protruding from the gum are small posts that become the anchor for the teeth.

Tooth loss can affect more than just the patient’s teeth. Missing teeth can affect the facial structure of an individual and can lead to additional bone deterioration. It can affect the way a person eats, talks and smiles. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants can rejuvenate an individual and return them to a higher quality of life.

Typically, dental implants are inserted during a series of two surgeries. During the initial surgery, the implants are placed into the patient’s jawbone. These titanium posts will begin to biochemically bond with the jaw, forming a strong base for the new teeth. The bonding process can take anywhere from three to six months. During the interim, your dentist may provide you with temporary dentures to wear. You will need to eat soft foods and avoid biting down directly on the implant site to allow for complete healing and bonding.

At the completion of the bonding process, your dentist will schedule a second surgery to insert the teeth. During the second procedure, the dentist will attach posts to the implants that will protrude through the gums. These will be the new teeth’s anchors and will not be visible once the tooth is inserted.

New medical advancements and technologies have reduced the timeline for dental implants. In many cases, dental implant specialists are able to insert both the implant and the tooth in one visit. This procedure is known as a single-stage implant. Other cases may require an additional visit, but the follow-up visit is only 6 weeks post-implant, rather than 6 months.

Regardless of the scope of your tooth loss, there is an implant that will meet your needs.  A crown is used when there is a single tooth replacement. Each prosthetic is attached to an individual anchor within the jaw. Conversely, a partial prosthetic, known as a fixed bridge, can be implanted to replace several missing teeth. It may require the use of one or two anchors. For patients with extensive dental health issues, a complete prosthetic is available for both upper and lower jaws. In this situation, the number of implants required will vary based on the number and type of the prosthesis installed. Removable prosthesis applications are available, where the denture attaches to a bar or ball in the socket of the teeth.

For people struggling with tooth loss, discovering the options available through dental implants can be revolutionary. It offers individuals struggling with tooth loss the chance to regain self-confidence as they watch their smile return. Dr. Walker and his team of experts have streamlined the dental implants procedure and makes it easier to determine which implant is best for you.

Dental implants began nearly 40 years ago in Sweden. The man who developed this procedure did so in an effort to improve oral rehabilitation for his patients. As a result, thousands of individuals have regained their lifestyle after successfully completing the process. For the people who have been impacted from the development of dental implants, they owe a debt of gratitude to the early pioneers.

If you are considering anything other than a dental implant after tooth loss, take a moment to reconsider. Tooth loss can impact your surrounding jawline. Putting in a bridge can sacrifice healthy teeth to strengthen your jaw. Removing dentures every night can be embarrassing and time consuming. A permanent structure in your mouth can enhance your lifestyle and prevent the loss of further teeth.

For individuals seeking dental implants Coppell, Texas is home to one of the areas most proficient specialists. Dr. Walker is an expert in the installation and implementation of dental implants. During your initial consultation, your dentist will do a thorough examination of your mouth. The dentist will ask for your medical history and discuss any potential problems with you. If you are not a good candidate for dental implants, your dentist will discuss alternative solutions such as bone grafts with you.

Most dental implants and procedures are performed in the office. The patient may be given a local anesthesia to reduce the pain or will be provided with general anesthesia.

Once the implant surgery is completed, your implants are ready to take on the world. You may be required to eat soft foods for the first few weeks. Over time, however, you will be able to return to your normal eating habits. Your new teeth do not require any specialized care. Keeping your teeth clean through regular checkups and daily oral hygiene skills can help to reduce problems in the future.
For individuals who need dental implants, Coppell, Texas provider Walker Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is ready and waiting for your call.  Call Walker Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at (972) 462-9800 to schedule your implant consultation and discover what a difference a healthy smile can make!