Periodontal Therapy – Covington, GA
Gentle and Effective Care for Gum Disease
Without proper care, your gums can actually develop an infection called periodontal disease (a.k.a. “gum disease”). Symptoms can include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and in more advanced stages, tooth loss. Thankfully, Dr. Dean and our team can take care of your entire smile. If we spot any issues with your gums during your checkup, we’ll be able to take care of them right away using a variety of options for periodontal therapy in Covington, GA. And if you notice signs of this unwelcome disease, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!
Why Choose Dean Dental Care for Periodontal Therapy?
- Dentist with More than 25 Years of Experience
- Thorough Gum Disease Screenings at Every Appointment
- Deep Cleanings Provided by Elite Hygiene Team
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is, more or less, a bacterial infection that targets your gums. The main cause is oral bacteria buildup, which can occur due to poor hygiene habits, excessive sugar consumption, certain medications, genetics, or hormonal changes. A mild case of gum disease is sometimes referred to as “gingivitis,” while more advanced cases are known as “periodontitis.” The consequences of periodontitis can be quite serious, so it’s best to treat gum disease as soon as possible!
Symptoms of Gum Disease
As mentioned above, gum disease can irritate your pink oral tissue, causing redness, swelling, bleeding, or even tooth loss. Here’s a more comprehensive list of possible symptoms:
- Longer-looking teeth (this can mean that your gumline is receding)
- Unusual bite or tooth misalignment
- Loose teeth
- Increased oral sensitivity
- Chronic bad breath
- Difficulties or discomfort while chewing
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
We provide a wide range of gum disease treatments in Covington, and our recommendation will ultimately depend on the results of your oral exam. Some solutions are better suited for gingivitis, while others are more effective for periodontitis. Either way, we’ll be sure to review our findings with you and make sure you’re well-informed about your options.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is like a type of “deep cleaning” for your teeth. The goal is to eliminate the bacteria that’s hiding below your gumline. Using special tools and a gentle touch, we’ll “scale” bacteria from your infected gums, then smooth out your dental roots to help prevent reinfection.
Antibiotic Treatment
As periodontal disease progresses, patients tend to develop small pockets of bacteria located between their teeth and gums. These are extremely hard to clean with traditional tools, which is where PerioChip antibiotic therapy can help. Smaller than a grain of rice, this chip can be placed directly into an infected pocket where it will release a powerful antibiotic 24-hours a day for an entire week. This will enable the medicine to reach even the lowest part of the pocket and kill the deepest bacteria.
Chao Pinhole Technique
Gum recession can make teeth appear unnaturally long and also expose delicate dental roots. Instead of fixing this problem with an invasive gum graft, Dr. Dean can use the Chao Pinhole Technique to restore the look, health, and position of your gumline. Special tools and training enable him to gently stretch and massage the gums back into place without the need for incisions or sutures. This process is fast and effective, and results can be seen almost immediately.
Periodontal Maintenance
After being diagnosed with gum disease, we’ll encourage you to engage in ongoing care so that you can keep the levels of bacteria in your mouth under control. This will involve diligent oral hygiene at home, rinsing with a special kind of mouthwash, and receiving dental cleanings every three-to-four months. If the infection looks like it’s coming back, our team will be able to take care of it right away!