Periodontal Disease

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease affects the structures in the mouth that support the teeth. It’s sometimes referred to as “gum disease”, but it involves more than your gums. “Gum disease” involves bone and other tissues in your mouth. This disease is often chronic (persists over time). The good news is that treatment can limit damage and help keep your mouth healthier. (Krames patient education)


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Nonsurgical Treatment

The goal of these treatments is to create conditions that enable tissues in the mouth to heal. This is done by reducing plaque, infection, and other causes of periodontal disease. In about 4 to 8 weeks, you’ll have another evaluation. Depending on various factors, surgery may be the next step. (Krames patient education)

 


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Surgical Treatment

If non surgical treatments can’t reduce pocket depth, surgery may be needed. Surgery on gum and bone can reduce pocket depth and save a tooth or teeth. It also allows the dentist to remove tartar deep below the gumline. In some cases, pocket reduction surgery is combined with regenerative procedures. (Krames patient education)