The primary goal of gum disease treatment in Indianapolis IN is to control infection. Upon examination, the dentist will note signs of inflammation, and take x-rays to determine if the bone loss has occurred. Early gum disease is referred to as gingivitis. Typical signs are red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis and often results in serious damage to the tissue and bones supporting the teeth.
There are several treatments for gum disease, depending upon the stage of the disease, how well the patient has responded to previous treatment, and overall health. Gum Disease Treatment in Indianapolis IN ranges from non-surgical methods to surgery involving bone grafts or tissue regeneration. Contact Moore Dentistry Inc. for more information on the following treatment methods.
Non-surgical Treatments for Gum Disease
* Professional dental cleaning – The dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line.
* Scaling and root planing – This involves a deeper cleaning performed under a local anesthetic. Plaque and tartar are removed by scaling, thereby providing a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth.
Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease
* Flap surgery and pocket reduction surgery – This involves lifting the gums and removing the tartar. The gums are tucked in, allowing the tissue to fit firmly around the teeth. This decreases the areas where bacteria can grow.
* Bone grafting – This form of surgery is also used in the treatment of gum disease. It involves using fragments of the patient’s own bone, synthetic bone, or cadaver bone to replace bone lost to gum disease. The benefit of this surgery is that the graft restores stability to the teeth, providing a platform where bone can regrow.
* Soft tissue grafting – Grafted tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and stitched in place, building up needed tissue in affected areas.
* Guided tissue regeneration – This procedure is performed in cases of bone loss in combination with flap surgery. A tiny piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue, preventing the gum tissue from growing into the area where the bone should be. In time, bone and connective tissue will regrow to support the teeth.
Only a dental professional can determine the correct treatment for gum disease. Persons experiencing gum problems should seek professional help. Doing so sooner, rather than later, serves to limits the amount of damage to teeth, gums and bone.
