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Periodontal Disease & Treatments

June 5, 2019
Uncategorized

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused by bacteria in plaque.  Without proper oral hygiene, the bacteria can create cavities in the teeth, gum inflammation and irritation that lead to gingivitis. 

Mild Gum Disease

When gum disease is mild, you may notice the following symptoms: 

Your dentist can treat mild periodontal disease or gingivitis with dental treatment and ongoing dental hygiene. 

However, when mild gum disease isn’t treated promptly, it can be a slippery path leading to severe periodontitis.  

Moderate to Severe Periodontitis

When gum disease worsens, it can severely damage and destroy gum tissue, bone and teeth.  Moderate to severe periodontal disease warrants more comprehensive treatment, provided by a periodontist, a dentist with extensive training to treat severe periodontal disease.  In complex cases, your dentist and periodontist should work together to provide the best dental care. 

Research also suggests (but does not confirm) that periodontitis can enter the bloodstream through gum tissue and affect other parts of your body including your heart and lungs.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

A periodontist may treat moderate to severe periodontal disease with:

  • Scaling and cleaning below the gumline to remove plaque and calculus. 
  • Root planing to smooth roots of teeth where bacteria accumulates.
  • Prescription medicated mouth rinses, gels, chips, enzyme suppressants, or antibiotics designed to control bacteria.

In severe cases, oral surgery may be required to remove the embedded calculus and tartar.  Periodontists may recommend the following procedures:

  • Flap surgery to remove deep calculus below the gumline.
  • Bone and tissue grafts or guided tissue regeneration to help restore bone or gum tissue.

Aside from poor oral hygiene, there are a number of risk factors for gum disease:

Periodontal disease can be a long-term inflammatory disease.  Without proper dental hygiene after periodontal treatment, the inflammation can recur.  However, the good news is that proper oral hygiene can keep the disease away.

If you believe that you or a loved one has gum disease, contact Miro Dental Center.  Our team of highly experienced dentists and periodontists specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease. 

Miro Dental Center

Dr. Claudio Miro and associates have been treating patients in the greater Miami area for over 30 years. As a team, we believe that the patient is of upmost importance at every level.   We take pride in the care we provide to our patients at Miro Dental Centers. We take the time to make sure our patients are fully informed and are given all treatment options.  Our goal is to provide our patients with optimal oral health by using state of the art technology.

With the dental field rapidly advancing, we are always looking for new and innovative treatments to serve our patients. We provide all types of services, including dental cleanings, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry.

If you have questions about your dental health or would like to schedule an appointment at our offices in Coral Gables, Kendall, Hialeah, or Hollywood, please contact us today at 305-442-7444.