Periodontal Care Near You
Prevention is the most important aspect related to your family’s oral health and wellness. At Inglewood Family Dental, we offer periodontal care in Calgary to protect the health of your gums. Periodontal care focuses on treatment of periodontal, or gum, disease. The treatments associated with periodontal care focus on caring for the supporting structures of the teeth, such as the gums, bone, and surrounding tissue. With more and more patients suffering with some form of gum disease, the need for periodontal care is increasing. While many general dentists can provide basic care, more severe cases will need to see a periodontist.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Non-Surgical Treatments
The main goal of periodontal care is to treat the infection and restore health to the gums and supporting tissue, if possible. Treatment often begins with a deep cleaning that includes scaling and root planing. This
cleaning is much more extensive than a regular dental cleaning. Scaling involves removing tartar from both above and below the gum lone. Root planing eliminates rough spots on the root of the tooth where bacteria tends to target.
In severe cases, we may advise a medication to help fight the bacteria after a deep cleaning. This is done through a tray delivery system. A mold is made of your mouth and you are sent home with a tray and medication. Medication is placed inside the tray and then you wear it for the prescribed amount of time.
Cosmetic Dentistry and It’s Procedures
A tooth extraction is typically the last resort when it comes to dental care. A dentist will do everything he or she can to save a tooth performing an extraction. There are cases, however, when the tooth cannot be saved or must be removed for other dental considerations. The main need for tooth extractions is severe dental decay that is not fixable by fillings or root canals. At this stage, the tooth must be removed in order to prevent the spread of infection.
Another cause is severe periodontal disease. In these cases, the disease causes infection in the gums, periodontal ligaments, bone and surrounding tissue. When the infection becomes severe, it can result in loose teeth. If the tooth cannot be stabilized, then extraction is necessary.
While most often seen with wisdom teeth, impacted teeth are another common cause of tooth extraction. When a tooth is blocked or unable to break through the gumline, it can damage surrounding teeth or cause infection. In these cases, the tooth is removed by an oral surgeon, reducing the risk of infection and minimizing overcrowding.
Overcrowding itself is also a common cause for tooth extraction, often affecting children undergoing orthodontic treatments. Your orthodontist may determine that there is no room to change and adjust the alignment of the teeth, so a tooth may be extracted to allow for the necessary movement.
Periodontal Care Surgical Procedures
In severe cases of periodontitis, surgical intervention is often a necessary form of periodontal care. One such surgery is a gum graft. As gums recess, they can expose the tooth root. A gum graft takes tissue from your palate or donor and uses it to cover the exposed roots. This can help prevent further gum recession and bone loss.
A periodontal pocket reduction is required when a gum pocket becomes too deep to address with at-home dental care. These pockets allow for extreme bacteria growth and can result in bone and tissue damage. This entails folding back the gum tissue and removing all of the bacteria before securing the gum tissue back into place. With the bacteria gone, the tissue can better reattach to the bone.
In cases where there is already lost bone or tissue, we can provide a regenerative procedure that can help to reverse some damage. After performing a periodontal pocket reduction, we can use bone grafts, membranes, or tissue-stimulating proteins to help your body regenerate healthy bone and tissue.
When periodontitis has caused too much damage and the tooth is lost, we may suggest dental implants to replace lost teeth after the periodontitis has been treated and the gums are healthy.
How Periodontal Care Can Help Prevent Periodontal Disease
Periodontal care can be avoided with proper oral care and regular dental visits. Brushing your teeth after every meal to remove food debris and bacteria is a good start. Flossing once a day, at bedtime, lets you get any trapped food and bacteria out from between your teeth. Using mouthwash can help reduce the buildup of plaque. Seeing your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings will help reduce the buildup of tartar on your teeth and allow your dentist to catch any early signs of periodontal disease before they become a serious problem.
At Inglewood Family Dental, we look forward helping you develop a preventive dental care plan that emphasizes periodontal care to keep your teeth healthy and strong, for a lifetime of use.
Call us at (587) 355-2542 to request your consultation at Inglewood Family Dental today!
The Process
Consultation
The dentist checks your gums, talks about treatments, and sees what you need.
Diagnosis
X-rays and tests show how bad the gum disease is.
Treatment Plan
A custom plan includes deep cleaning and other steps.
Deep Cleaning
Removes plaque and tartar to make gums healthier.
Follow-up Care
Regular check-ups ensure healing and prevent further gum issues.
Maintenance
Ongoing treatment to manage gum health and prevent relapse.
Healing Period
Gums recover and adjust to treatment after a few weeks.
Reevaluation
Post-treatment check-ups monitor progress and long-term gum health.
At-Home Care
Guidance on brushing, flossing, and care routines for upkeep.
The Benefits
- Helps prevent the loss of teeth due to early treatment of gum disease.
- Reduces inflammation of gums, thus having healthier gums and fresher breath.
- Generally improves oral health and prevents future complications.
- Improves your smile by improving the look of your gums and making them less swollen.
- Helps prevent the spread of bacteria that may affect your overall health.
- Promotes better oral hygiene habits to maintain healthy gums for life.
- Reduces the chance of systemic health issues from gum infections.
- Boosts confidence with healthier gums and a cleaner mouth feel.
