Gum Disease Treatment in Dallas TX

Gum disease is an ongoing infection of the tissues that surround your teeth. Symptoms include redness, swelling, bleeding and bad breath. The earliest stage is gingivitis, which can be reversed with proper oral care and regular professional dental cleanings.

Untreated gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss and damage your oral health. A Dallas periodontist can perform gum grafting and osseous surgery (gum pocket reduction surgery) as surgical gum disease treatment Dallas TX.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are nonsurgical periodontal treatments that remove accessible calculus (tartar) and bacterial toxins to help restore healthy gum tissue. The procedure includes a thorough dental cleaning in which your provider uses a handheld scalpel or a vibrating metal tip on a scaler to chip away the hard deposits and flush them from the pockets between your teeth and gums.

A more serious infection, known as periodontitis, develops if the thick deposits remain in place. This stage causes sensitivity, bleeding and swelling of the gums and can lead to bone loss in the jaw that supports your teeth.

Symptoms of this stage include persistent bad breath, loose teeth and gum recession. The procedure can also affect your overall health by introducing bacteria into the bloodstream, so it may not be appropriate for those with serious medical problems such as heart disease or a weak immune system.

Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafting can reinforce the jawbone, counteracting natural bone loss that occurs whenever a tooth is removed or when gum disease treatment Dallas TX advances. A bone graft can also prevent further gum tissue recession and cover exposed root surfaces.

You can receive a bone graft as part of osseous surgery (gum pocket reduction) or as an independent procedure. Your surgeon will review your medical history before the procedure to make sure you are healthy enough for it. You may need to stop taking certain medications before your procedure, especially blood thinners.

There are two types of bone grafts: autogenous and allogenic. Autogenous bone grafts use bone from another area of your mouth or from a donor source. Allogenic bone grafts are made from human cadaver bone. A collagen membrane is usually placed over the grafted bone to promote growth and protect the site. You may need a cast or splint to support the graft while it heals.

Periodontal Therapy

Gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss, often causes few symptoms in its early stages. That’s why we recommend scheduling regular dental checkups to watch for red, swollen, bleeding, or sore gums as well as bad breath. These symptoms could indicate that you are experiencing the early stages of periodontal disease, and that you should start treatment as soon as possible.

Surgical and non-surgical gum disease treatments are available to help you restore the health of your smile, and halt further bone and tissue loss. These procedures include scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes bacteria from the pockets under your gumline and carefully smoothes the roots of your teeth to facilitate healing.

We may also apply a topical antibiotic, like Arestin (r), to certain gum pockets after the procedure. These medications kill any remaining bacteria and can reduce the likelihood of resistant bacterial growth. A diligent oral care routine that includes twice daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash will help you maintain your healthy smile after gum disease treatment.

Endodontic Therapy

If advanced gum disease has already damaged your teeth and gum tissue, we can perform a variety of surgical treatments to control the infection and prevent further damage. These procedures include gum grafting to cover exposed tooth roots and periodontal bone grafting to build back up the jaw bone.

In the past, infected or damaged teeth would have to be removed entirely. However, now, these teeth can be saved with endodontic therapy, also known as a root canal. This treatment clears infection and protects your tooth from future infections.

This is a non-invasive treatment that can be performed in a single visit. During the procedure, we clean the surface of your tooth to remove all traces of plaque and tartar from the pockets beneath your gums. Our dentists in Dallas Texas can then apply antibiotics to ensure complete healing. Infected or inflamed tooth pulp and nerve can cause severe discomfort. This can manifest as throbbing pain, tooth sensitivity, gum swelling or discoloration. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other teeth and jaw bones, causing tooth loss.