At South Shore Dentistry, we take a preventative approach so that simple oral health problems do not become something more serious. Gum disease can be a complication of tooth decay, and progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis.
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line. If it is left untreated, it can damage your jaw and the bones that support your teeth. Symptoms of gum disease can include swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. You could also experience receding gums or persistent bad breath.
When your body senses threats like infections, lacerations, or foreign bacteria, it is designed to try to heal and protect the area being threatened. The inflammatory response in healthy individuals kills off bacteria and helps to speed healing.
Unfortunately, when it comes to infections in your mouth, your body reacts differently and can actually damage your gums. When your body detects plaque, tartar and bacteria in your mouth, instead of actively attacking the bacteria, your gum tissue will try to protect itself by backing away.
If the early stages of gum disease are left untreated, gums will recede away from the teeth, which can trigger a variety of other dental and oral health problems. Gum disease is correlated with serious systemic health problems like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
However, Dr. Burt offers treatments that can help preserve your smile, and quality of life. Gum disease does not have to have the last word!
Root Debridement Therapy (Deep Cleaning)
If you visit South Shore Dentistry every six months for your routine cleaning, you know it involves cleaning your teeth and gum line to remove plaque and tartar, then polishing your smile to remove stains and smooth the tooth's surface.
However, if you have symptoms of gum disease, you might need a different type of cleaning called root debridement therapy.
Root debridement therapy is a deep dental cleaning procedure Dr. Burt performs to treat patients with current or developing gum disease. Not all patients need this level of cleaning, but it is key part of treatment for patients concerned with gingivitis.
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is often painless at first, making it difficult to diagnose without regular dental checkups. Inflammation of the gums can be a potentially serious condition, which is why it’s vital to get regular dental exams from South Shore Dentistry.
If you have been diagnosed with or are concerned you might have gingivitis, Dr. Burt offers a range of treatments to reverse or stop this gum disease’s progression. If you are in the early stages of gingivitis, most treatment options are non-surgical procedures.
Pinhole® Surgical Technique Gum Therapy
Receding gums can weaken your teeth, cause root damage and even lead to tooth loss. Through the Pinhole Surgical Technique, receding gums are stabilized without using traditional surgical procedures such as cutting, grafting and stitching. This minimally invasive procedure can restore years to your smile and improve your overall health.
LANAP Gum Disease Treatment
The LANAP method is a laser gum disease treatment designed to help your body regrow the tissues and bone you have lost due to gum disease. LANAP stands for “Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure” and is a more effective, less invasive and much more comfortable dental treatment used by Dr. Burt to remove diseased gum tissue and encourage your gums to reattach and heal.
Gum Graft Surgery
Gum grafting is a common periodontal procedure performed at South Shore Dentistry. This procedure is commonly used to treat gum recession. Once gum graft surgery is completed, the soft tissue surrounding your teeth can begin to naturally regenerate, restoring your healthy smile. Benefits can include reduced tooth sensitivity, an improved smile appearance and an overall improvement of your gum health.
Dental Crown Lengthening
Some patients require dental crown lengthening as part of preparation for the final crown restoration of a tooth. If necessary, Dr. Burt will perform a crown lengthening to extend the size or height of a portion of your tooth to better stabilize your dental crown.
Questions About Gum Disease or Periodontal Services?
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding gums or swelling, please call our South Weymouth dental office right away to schedule your appointment with Dr. Burt.
We are committed to high quality dental care you need by offering you a variety of sedation dentistry services at our South Weymouth, MA dental office.
