PARKWAY DENTAL CLINIC
Private & NHS Hospital Healthcare Centre
Root Canal – Getting To The Route of the Problem.
Periodontal/Gum Disease Treatment – Number One Cause Of Bad Breath
Periodontitis – What Is It?
Failure to address gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a gum disease that causes inflammation to spread to the ligaments and bones holding teeth in place. As a result, pockets may form as the gums pull away from teeth, harboring plaque that cannot be removed by regular brushing. As time passes, the plaque solidifies into tartar and intensifies the irritation of gums. The pockets can deepen and exacerbate the issue by making cleaning more challenging, often leading to infections and abscesses.
If left untreated, periodontitis can cause gum recession, exposing the roots of teeth and making them sensitive. Additionally, teeth may feel loose, especially if bone loss occurs. Over several years, untreated periodontitis can result in tooth loss.
Symptoms of periodontitis include painful ulcers that bleed easily, halitosis, metallic taste, difficulty swallowing or talking, excessive salivation, fever, and general malaise.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
The severity of your gum disease will dictate the type of treatment that you receive. The goal of the treatment is to manage any current gum disease and prevent further issues from arising. If you have mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, you may be able to manage it with a daily brushing and flossing routine. Your dentist or hygienist will monitor your gums over time by checking the size of any pockets and the ease with which your gums bleed.
If your dentist suspects that you have periodontitis, they will use a periodontal probe to determine the depth of any gaps between your gums and teeth, known as pockets. They will also assess the amount of plaque and tartar on your teeth and how easily your gums bleed.
In some cases, X-rays may be necessary to assess the state of your teeth and jawbone. Root planning, which involves removing plaque, tartar, and damaged tooth coverings, may be required to treat periodontitis or acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG). A local anaesthetic may be used by your dentist or hygienist to make the root planning process more comfortable.
If your infection is severe, your dentist may recommend treatment with antibiotics. Additionally, a hygienist may suggest using antiseptic mouthwash to help prevent bacterial growth. However, it is important to note that mouthwash cannot remove plaque that has already accumulated on your teeth. In cases of severe periodontitis that have not responded to other treatments, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for gum surgery.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a highly trained dental specialist with expertise in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease (a chronic inflammation that affects the gums and supporting bone), as well as in the placement of dental implants. Their advanced training extends beyond dental school to three additional years of education in these specialised areas.
While general dentists may manage less severe cases of periodontal disease, more challenging cases are often referred to periodontists for specialised treatment. The same is true for dental implants, where complex cases may require the expertise of a periodontist.
Beyond these primary areas of focus, periodontists offer a range of other specialised services to their patients. These include scaling and root planing to clean infected tooth roots, root surface debridement to remove damaged root tissue, and treatment of oral inflammation. They also perform cosmetic periodontal procedures to improve the appearance of the gums and teeth.
*All Fees for guide purposes only*
Periodontic/Gum Disease Treatment Fees
*Consultation Is Required*
*All Fees for guide purposes only*
