Seeing a Periodontist for Gum Recession

You might need a periodontist if you notice signs of periodontal disease like gum recession. This type of dentist has had additional years of training focused on diagnosing and treating issues that affect gum tissues.

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, has two distinct stages. The first is called gingivitis, and it often comes with symptoms like receding gums. Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease, and it is the most common cause of adults losing their teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Seeing a periodontist for gum disease treatment

Gum disease is one of the most widespread dental issues that dentists treat, but it is preventable. Brushing twice daily, flossing each day, and biannual dental appointments are enough to protect most people from gum disease.

Biannual dental visits help with the early detection of gum disease. Gingivitis can be reversed, but periodontitis is a chronic condition. Gum disease is typically detected by examining the patient’s mouth and using a probe to measure the depths of their gum pockets. Treatments that a periodontist might recommend for gum disease include the following.

1. Teeth cleanings

Gingivitis can often be reversed by educating patients about more effective ways to take care of their mouths and gums, combined with teeth cleanings. Plaque and tartar cause gum disease, but tartar cannot be removed by brushing or flossing teeth. A scaler must be used to remove these deposits during dental teeth cleanings. Bacteria live inside tartar, so the longer that they stay on teeth and their roots, the more damage they cause.

2. Deep cleanings

Also called root scaling and planing, deep cleanings can be used to treat gingivitis or periodontitis. The procedure is a more comprehensive type of teeth cleaning. It involves removing tartar from the teeth and their roots. It also involves polishing teeth roots to make it harder for tartar deposits to accumulate on them. The treatment is typically broken into multiple sessions to make recovery smoother for patients.

3. Gum grafts

Gum grafts are typically recommended when gum disease has caused significant gum recession. The procedure typically involves taking donor tissues from one part of the patient’s mouth and stitching them over exposed teeth roots.

4. Bone grafts

Bone grafts can be used to repair bone structures that have been damaged by gum disease. The grafting matter can be taken from a donor or made from synthetic material that promotes the formation of new bone tissues. Patients with periodontitis might need bone grafts to prevent their teeth from falling out of their sockets.

5. Implants

Periodontal disease can lead to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. Implants can replace teeth that have been lost due to gum disease. Implants serve as artificial teeth roots, preventing the bone tissue loss that takes place when teeth fall out. The process of restoring a missing tooth with an implant can take up to six months and requires multiple visits to the dentist.