Periodontal Disease Treatment
Ann Arbor, MI
 Periodontal Disease is a common dental problem. Its prevalence is quite concerning, because so many patients are so familiar with its symptoms that they are increasingly not seeing the symptoms as being a problem, when in fact they are. At Everwell Dentistry, our primary goal is to first educate our patients about their oral health, and work with them to maintain a high level of dental care. Prevention is the key to long-term health. Dr. Embree has the information and keys to preventing and removing periodontal disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Our teeth are held in place with bone and supportive soft gum tissue. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of those supportive tissues. Bacterial infections come from plaque, tartar, and calculus left on teeth and along the gumline.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a substance that our mouth continually and naturally makes. It is a blend of food debris and saliva, creating an ideal mixture for bacteria to thrive. As plaque forms, some of it is swallowed, particularly as we drink water, and some will rest on your teeth, between your teeth, and along the gumline. To remove plaque, we need to brush it away with our toothbrush. If we do not brush it away, the plaque will dry and harden, forming a material that we call tartar or calculus. Tartar is much more difficult to remove, and should only be removed by a hygienist so that the enamel of your tooth is not damaged. If left in place, tartar will cause decay. Tartar that extends below the gumline will infect your gum tissue creating gum pockets that separate your tooth and gums.
Periodontal disease treatment is the removal of infected material and the promoting of your gums to reattach to your teeth. Our staff at Everwell Dentistry can help you heal and strengthen your gums and teeth.
Periodontal Treatment Procedure
Known as a Deep Cleaning, we can take steps to increase the health of your gums through scaling and root planing. Dr. Embree and our hygienist can make a plan to assist in restoring and rebuilding the health of your gums. The first step is measuring your gum pockets; this will help us assess the problem. Measuring the gum pockets, you may hear measurements of 1-5mm in depth be discussed. Teeth that have gum pockets exceed 3 mm in depth require scaling and root planing. Using an ultrasonic scaler, our hygienist will remove infected material. The ultrasonic scaler blasts directed tiny oxygenated bubbles; this action may be thought of as power washing your teeth and gums on a much smaller scale. Some patients find this process to be uncomfortable and may ask for a local anesthetic. Once the material has been removed, our hygienist will then use a hand scaler to check that all material is in fact removed. With the area now clean, the hygienist will then smooth the roots, through a process known as root planing. Smoothing the roots will assist in both preventing materials from attaching in the future and in creating a healing response from your body which will help close the gum pockets.
Improve your Oral Health!
For more information on periodontal treatment & maintenance, and having cleaner, healthier gums, contact Everwell Dentistry at our Ann Arbor location. Our front office staff is happy to assist you in scheduling appointments and answering your questions. Call us at (734) 973-0000. |
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