Periodontal Treatment in Elkin, NC
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Tooth loss is not a necessary part of aging. Maintaining optimal oral hygiene and engaging in regular dental care are pivotal in maintaining natural teeth for life. Keeping your natural teeth requires you to take care of your teeth and your gums. These structures support the stability of your teeth.
Gum disease, a bacterial infection, threatens supporting tissues. Your dentist will be on the lookout for early signs of gum disease that you may not notice. If disease is present, periodontal therapy may be needed.
Periodontal treatment can be delivered in a number of ways. In each of these methods, the goal is to restore health to diseased tissue. Untreated, gum disease can spread from the gums to the bone. When bone becomes infected, tooth loss may occur.
Scalings and surgical repair are two of the most common ways to repair lost gum and bone tissue.
Periodontal Disease Treatments
The surgical and non-surgical therapy options include several different procedures. These procedures include:
- Scaling and Root Planing. Scaling and root planing are typically the first line of defense. Plaque and tartar are removed manually using hand scalers or ultrasonic devices.
- Gum Grafting. When gum disease has progressed, lost gum tissue may need to be replaced with a graft. Tissue may be removed from the roof of the mouth or taken from external donors.
- Periodontal Plastic Surgery. The phrase “plastic surgery” may give you pause. The “plastic” refers to the reshaping aspect of surgery to create a pleasant appearance to gum tissue.
- Periodontal Laser Treatment. Laser treatment offers a significant advantage over more traditional treatments. Laser treatment offers less discomfort and a lower likelihood of gum shrinkage.
- Crown Lengthening Surgery. Crown lengthening exposes more of the tooth’s surface area. This will make teeth look longer and smiles appear less “gummy.”
- Dental Implants. If tooth loss is inevitable, dentists often recommend titanium dental implants. These prevent further losses of the gums and bone.
Your Role in Periodontal Therapy
Dental plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease. Removing plaque by brushing and flossing is essential. Avoid scrubbing teeth, which can lead to receding gums. Our dentist in Elkin, NC, can go over proper technique should you have any questions.
Regular professional cleanings are also a valuable tool in gum disease prevention. Dentists remove plaque and tartar and check for signs of gum disease. Healthy diets and tobacco avoidance will also improve gum health and reduce the risk of developing gum disease. Our dental office provides periodontal treatment in Elkin, NC. Schedule an appointment with our team today!
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