11236 Periodontics
When gum disease advances past the early stage of gingivitis and your gums become infected, this is called periodontitis. Unlike the usual treatment for gingivitis, which is a thorough dental cleaning, this more severe level of gum disease requires more extreme treatment. At Glenwood Dental Associates, our primary goal is to help you avoid gum disease entirely, through encouraging regular brushing and flossing at home as well as twice yearly visits to our office for cleanings. However, when you are suffering from the effects of periodontitis, our East New York periodontist is prepared to address it and reverse the problem, returning you toward a set of healthy gums once again.
Among the treatments for periodontitis, the most common as well as the first choice to achieve results, is scaling and root planing. This refers to a more extensive cleaning than the one you get during your visits every six months. Using hand scraping tools, ultrasonic tools, or possibly both, our East New York periodontist will get down to the very roots to clean out the plaque and tartar that is embedded there and to smooth the root surfaces in order to protect you against future problems. You will receive a local anesthetic to numb you in advance, to ensure that you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the cleaning.
Sometimes, antibiotics may be prescribe to assist in addressing the bacterial infection. OurEast New York periodontist may suggest it either topically (in the form of a gel or rinse) or orally, depending upon the situation. A last resort, if non-surgical methods prove to be ineffective, is to perform surgery such as a soft tissue graft, pocket reduction surgery, or guided tissue regeneration.
Ultimately, the goal is to stop the spread of gum disease along with the damage it can cause, leading to loss of gum or bone tissue and possibly even causing tooth loss. Once the infection and the underlying cause of it have been dealt with, reddish and inflamed gums will slowly turn back to the normal pink color that denote good oral health. You can count on our East New York periodontist to steer you back to a strong and vibrant set of gums and teeth once again.
