Periodontal Disease

A healthy tooth begins with a strong foundation. The foundation, or the supporting structures of the tooth includes the bone that encases the tooth root and the overlying gums. The gums surround and provide a protective cuff around the neck of the tooth. In health, a sulcus, or a shallow space between the tooth and gum tissue exists.

Plaque, a sticky substance composed of bacteria, food and salivary proteins, adheres to the tooth structure. Plaque may harden over time creating a hard deposit called calculus or tartar. When plaque is left near the gumline for a period of a week or so, it causes inflammation of the gum tissue.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gum tissue is called gingivitis. The inflamed gum tissue results in a deeper pocket between the tooth and gum tissue. This pocket is now more easily invaded by plaque and bacteria.

Gingivitis is usually treated with a routine prophylactic cleaning every 6 months by your dentist or dental hygienist. The cleaning will eliminate the local irritants, allowing the gums to return to their natural state of health.

Periodontitis

As previously stated, inflammed gum tissues may exhibit deeper pockets. Deeper pockets have a tendency to trap plaque, bacteria, and other debris. If this inflammation is allowed to persist, then bone loss may ensue. Unfortunately, once bone loss has occurred, the disease process is no longer reversible as lost structures may be difficult if not impossible to regenerate. Periodontitis is classified as mild, moderate or severe based on the amount of soft (gum) and hard (bone) tissue lost around a tooth.

A complete periodontal evaluation will determine the depths of the pockets around the tooth. This data, along with other clinical and radiographic findings will allow Dr. Bender to create a periodontal treatment plan specifically designed to address and treat the disease process in each individual’s mouth.

a. Nonsurgical Therapy

Dr. Bender may recommend a “deep cleaning” if deeper pockets are discovered during the examination. During this procedure, Dr. Bender will numb the gum tissue so that the tooth structure may be more thoroughly cleaned.

After a deep cleaning, the gums are allowed to heal for a period of 4-6 weeks. The gums may then be re-evaluated to determine if periodontal pockets persist around the teeth. A periodontal surgical procedure may be recommended in areas where pockets persist.

b. Surgical Therapy

The goal of the surgical procedure is to gain access and clean the root surfaces that are too deep to clean or persist after nonsurgical techniques.

During a periodontal surgical procedure, the gums are gently reflected away from the tooth structure so that bacteria, infected tissue and root deposits may be removed from the tooth structure. Dr. Bender may also recontour the diseased bone structure adjacent to the tooth.

c. Regenerative Therapy

Additional procedures may be recommended during the surgical phase of treatment.

One such procedure is a regenerative procedure. In specific situations, it may be possible to regenerate gum and bone tissue lost in the disease process. Regenerative materials may include the addition of bone grafts, membranes, and proteins to the diseased site. The type of surgical procedure and the ability to utilize regenerative techniques and products will be discussed in more detail during your appointment with Dr. Bender.