5 Types of Periodontal Disease Treatment

6 October 2021
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Periodontal disease refers to any type of disease that affects the gums. Your gums are an important part of your mouth. They protect the roots of your teeth and keep your teeth firmly fixed in place. Unfortunately, periodontal disease can weaken your gums, causing them to bleed or recede. Dentists can detect periodontal disease based on the appearance and depth of your gums. If gingivitis or periodontitis is detected, your dentist will suggest some treatment options that can help your gums recover. Here are five common types of periodontal disease treatment options:

1. Antibiotics

Periodontal disease is a type of infection that occurs when bacteria proliferate. Before your dentist can treat the cause of your infection, they may first want to clear up the symptoms. Antibiotics can be used to kill bacteria in your body, including the bacteria in your gums. A course of antibiotics will get rid of any active infections in your mouth.

2. Scaling 

Scaling is a common dental procedure that can prevent and reduce the symptoms of periodontal disease. During a scaling procedure, your dentist will scrape tartar from the visible surfaces of your teeth using a sharp, hooked dental tool. Scaling can be mildly uncomfortable for people with gingivitis, so your dentist may offer you local anesthesia to ease your discomfort.

3. Root Planing

Root planing is an appropriate treatment for people with moderate to severe periodontal disease. This procedure follows the same basic principles as scaling, but its reach extends below your gum line. During root planing, your dentist will clean tartar away from the roots of your teeth. You will be given local anesthesia at the beginning of your root planing appointment to ensure your comfort.

4. Flap Surgery

Flap surgery can help dentists eradicate all the tartar, plaque, and bacteria building up around the roots of your teeth. It is more invasive than root planing since it requires dentists to cut through your gums, creating flaps so they can expose the roots of your teeth for more efficient cleaning. Flap surgery is usually performed using local anesthesia, but general anesthesia may sometimes be used as well.

5. Surgical Grafts

Sometimes, a patient's gums have significantly eroded before they receive periodontal disease treatment. In these cases, dentists may need to restore patients' jawbones and gums using bone and skin grafts. The surgical grafting process is more invasive than other types of periodontal disease treatments, but it can help patients avoid tooth loss.