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Dependent upon your dentist, this non-surgical procedure may be relatively painless and involve closing off pocket gaps while simultaneously clearing away plaque and tartar that toothbrushes cannot reach.
Practice good oral hygiene and attend twice-annual dental cleanings to reduce your risk for gum disease, but should it develop, it must be treated promptly to stop further progression. Periodontal therapy is required as soon as symptoms appear in order to effectively stop its further spread.
Periodontitis Treatment Before and After
Periodontitis treatment varies, considering severity. Nonsurgical options encompass scaling, antibiotics (topical or oral), and tissue-stimulating proteins. Surgery includes flap surgery, bone and gum grafting, and splinting.
Effective periodontitis treatment requires daily oral care, managing health conditions, and quitting tobacco. Regular dental visits, brushing twice daily, flossing, and stopping tobacco are preventive measures.
Home remedies like saltwater rinses and oil pulling aid mild cases, while severe cases often need surgery. Recent studies confirm positive outcomes from both surgical and nonsurgical approaches.
Prevent periodontitis via proper oral hygiene: brush for two minutes twice daily with ADA-approved toothpaste, floss daily, and have regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Post-treatment, patient education and oral hygiene maintenance are vital to prevent recurrence.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, commonly referred to as a “dental deep cleaning,” is one of the first steps toward stopping periodontitis and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Hygienists use regular dental appointments to scrape away plaque and tartar from surfaces of teeth; scaling and root planing is designed to reach harder-to-reach places like periodontal pockets formed when gum disease causes your gums to pull away from them, trapping bacteria, food debris, or any other harmful materials that might collect in these spaces – these pockets contain bacteria, food debris or anything harmful that might accumulates over time – when regular dental visits cannot.
At this procedure, our periodontists scrape away and remove bacteria that has taken root in these areas, then smooth the tooth roots to help the gums reattach themselves to them. Depending on your case severity, multiple appointments may be necessary and soreness in this area for several days after treatment; but should soon subside.
As this procedure requires more comprehensive care than standard cleanings, it typically requires longer appointment times and may introduce bacteria into your bloodstream; consequently, antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water rinsing after your visit is advised in order to protect yourself.
You can prevent further outbreaks of gum disease by brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily to remove any remaining traces.
Gum Surgery
If the bone that supports your teeth becomes compromised due to periodontitis, gum grafting surgery may help. Your dentist will replace lost bone with new material (whether from your natural bone or from synthetic sources) as well as tissue-stimulating proteins to promote faster healing.
Surgery to perform a gum graft may help reduce gum recession, cover exposed tooth roots and enhance your smile. Your physician may use different types of gum grafts depending on several factors including how extensive your gum disease is and how many teeth are affected by its symptoms.
Before beginning this procedure, your periodontist will administer local anesthesia and open a flap on either the roof of your mouth or another source of healthy gum tissue in the back of your mouth.
After your procedure, graft tissue will be placed under the lifted section of gums and stitched back in place. Following the surgery, your periodontist may place a dressing over the site to protect it while it heals; to facilitate faster recovery it’s also beneficial to avoid hard or crunchy foods until healing has taken place.
Antibacterial mouthwash usage twice daily along with brushing teeth twice per day with toothbrush and flossing daily with either water or dental floss may also aid healing processes.
Dental Implants
Dental implants provide patients with an alternative way to replace missing roots of teeth, enabling them to eat and speak confidently without fear of discomfort due to missing roots. Furthermore, implants stimulate and maintain jaw bone density to prevent loss in the area where there is missing tooth loss.
Periodontists are uniquely qualified to provide implant treatments as they have received three years of additional training on both soft tissues (gums) and hard tissues (bone). They understand how these structures interact and can ensure successful outcomes for their implant patients.
At the start of any dental implant process lies site preparation. Your periodontist will administer local anesthesia and sedation as desired before making an incision in your gum to expose bone.
Next comes careful widening to insert the implant screw. Ultimately it may take up to several months before fully healing occurs and bonds with surrounding tissues – this process is called osseointegration.
For your comfort during this healing period, it is recommended to consume soft food and wear temporary dentures if necessary.
Brush and floss around the implant site regularly as well as attend regular visits with your dentist in order to identify any possible problems or unusual pain or swelling that arises – should this occur, be sure to contact them immediately and stop smoking as smoking interferes with the healing process.
What Are the Common Treatments for Periodontitis
Periodontitis treatments, based on condition severity, include nonsurgical and surgical options. Common treatments encompass:
Nonsurgical treatments:
– Scaling: Removal of tartar and bacteria using instruments, laser, or ultrasonic device.
– Antibiotics: Oral or topical antibiotics combat infection.
– Tissue-stimulating proteins: Special gel with these proteins aids healing.
Surgical treatments:
– Flap surgery: Lift gums, remove tartar, bacteria, secure gums back.
– Bone grafting: Regenerate lost bone in areas of bone loss.
– Gum grafting: Restore lost tissue around teeth.
– Splinting: Stabilize excessively loose teeth temporarily.
Note that effective periodontitis treatment mandates daily oral care, managing health conditions, and tobacco cessation. Regular dental visits, brushing twice daily, and daily flossing prevent periodontitis.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Periodontitis Treatment
Recovery duration post-periodontitis treatment varies based on condition severity and treatment type. Consider these guidelines:
- Nonsurgical treatments like scaling and antibiotics have shorter recovery, some healing in 5 to 8 weeks.
- Surgical methods, flap surgery, bone, gum grafting, may extend recovery. Minor bleeding, tenderness, discomfort can last a few days. Recovery length relies on age, health, surgery extent.
- After treatment, proper follow-up care is vital. Gums re-measured after 2-6 months for healing assessment. Maintain oral hygiene, attend dental visits to prevent recurrence.
Note that periodontitis isn’t curable but manageable with proper treatment. Home remedies, mild periodontitis treatment: saltwater rinses, oil pulling. Severe cases often need surgery.
What Are the Side Effects of Periodontitis Treatment
Side effects from periodontitis treatment differ based on the specific approach. Consider potential side effects linked to various treatments:
1. Antibiotics:
– Nausea
– Diarrhea
– Stomatitis (mouth inflammation)
– Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
2. Gum Treatment:
– Spaces forming between teeth
– Sensitivity of exposed root surfaces
3. Chlorhexidine (antiseptic mouthwash):
– Bleeding, tender, enlarged gums
– Cough, chest tightness, wheezing
4. Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy:
– Pain
– Fever
– Dentine hypersensitivity (tooth’s underlying layer)
– Unanticipated tooth or restoration damage
Not all patients experience these effects, and their intensity and duration vary. Discuss concerns, effects with dentist or healthcare provider before treatment. Personalized guidance aligns with your situation.
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