Periodontitis
Also known as gum disease, Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis) is a severe gum infection that can lead to tooth loss and other serious health complications.
Read more about the symptoms, causes and treatments below.
Based on your quiz answers, you have Periodontitis and will require treatment to solve the problem. You can read more about Periodontitis below and use the following form to share more details. We will contact you to schedule an office visit in the next week.
Tell us more
ABOUT PERIODONTITIS
Scaling and Root planing, sometimes referred to as “Non-Surgical” periodontal therapy, is the least invasive and most cost-effective periodontal treatment available. It is also the first line of defense in the treatment of periodontal disease.
A meticulous and thorough cleaning of the root surfaces is done to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. Non-surgical treatment can be accomplished by Dr. Zidile, your general dentist, or a hygienist.
After scaling and root planing, many patients do not require any further active treatment. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain health.
Non-surgical therapy does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, minor surgical procedures may be indicated to restore periodontal structures damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices.
Read more about Scaling and Root Planing treatments on the American Academy of Periodontology website here.
Moderate Periodontitis
A 31 year old female presents with localized periodontitis.
Following non-surgical therapy, there was reduction of inflammation, reduction in edema, but there is resulting tooth recession from the infection. Oral hygiene, as you can see, is greatly improved.
Severe Periodontitis
Severe generalized periodontitis from years of dental neglect and poor oral hygiene. This 52 year old patient is taking medication that causes enlargement of the gingival tissues, which has further worsened his condition.
Following improvement of oral hygiene at home, and a combination of non-surgical and conservative surgical intervention, he responded favorably.
Treatment of a Periodontal “Gum” Abscess
This patient presented with a Severe Periodontal Abscess that has caused severe swelling of the tissues around his first molar. Note the bleeding of the gum tissues.
Following thorough yet conservative non-surgical treatment, the periodontal swelling has subsided and he is not experiencing any further bleeding in the area. NOTE: No systemic antibiotics were administered.