Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal treatment provides a safe and effective way to manage gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. At SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas, general dentist Hiral Patel, DDS, provides several types of periodontal treatment, including scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, and dental bone grafts. Prompt intervention can preserve your smile and reduce the risk of more severe issues. Call SolidSMILES Dental to schedule periodontal treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

What is periodontal treatment?

Periodontal treatment is a dental subspecialty that aims to eliminate gum disease. Gum disease occurs when plaque –– a film of bacteria, food particles, and saliva –– collects on the surfaces of your teeth. 

Over time, plaque hardens and irritates your gums. This causes your gum tissue to become irritated and inflamed and pull away from your teeth (recede). Without treatment, gum disease spreads to the bone that supports your teeth, increasing the risk of bone and tooth loss.

When should I see a dentist for periodontal treatment?

Make an appointment at SolidSMILES Dental if you have symptoms like:

• Swollen gums
• Tender gums
• Pus around your gum line
• Loose teeth
• Gums that bleed easily
• Pain when chewing

The earlier you see a dentist, the better. Without treatment, gum disease causes permanent damage that can be painful and expensive to fix.

What does periodontal treatment involve?

At SolidSMILES Dental, Dr. Patel provides several types of periodontal treatment. She could suggest:

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing is the first line of defense against gum disease. The treatment is similar to a dental cleaning. Dr. Patel numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic and carefully removes the plaque buildup from beneath your gum line. Then, she smooths your tooth roots to prevent plaque and bacteria from coming back.

Antibiotic therapy

Antibiotic therapy uses oral antibiotics or implantable antibiotic beads to kill the harmful bacteria responsible for gum disease. Dr. Patel might recommend this type of treatment if you have periodontitis causing bone loss.

Gum flap surgery

Gum flap surgery is a treatment for periodontitis. During this procedure, Dr. Patel makes a small incision along your gum line, allowing her to lift your gum tissue. She removes the plaque buildup and bacteria from underneath to stop the infection from spreading.

Dental bone grafts

Dr. Patel might recommend a dental bone graft if you have significant bone loss because of gum disease. During this procedure, she places pieces of healthy bone tissue (grafts) into the areas where you’ve lost bone. Once placed, the graft promotes the production of new, healthy bone tissue, reducing your risk of tooth loss.

Call SolidSMILES Dental to explore the benefits of periodontal treatment, or book your appointment online today.