Gum Disease Treatments

Are you looking for a treatment for gum disease? We specialize in periodontics in Toronto and can help you. Continue reading to learn a little more about gum disease treatment options.

There are many treatments for gum disease. The treatment choice depends on how developed the disease is. Of course, prevention is the best way to stay healthy. This includes at-home gum care through maintaining good healthy habits of brushing teeth twice daily and flossing once daily. However, when that fails, and gums become inflamed and start to bleed, we can see there is some gum disease developing. Staying on top of your annual checkups and cleanings will keep you safer from gum disease because your periodontist and hygienist can monitor the health of your gums at each visit and make note of any changes, especially any negative changes.

Bloody, inflamed gums will be a sign of the possible development of gum disease, in the worst cases, this will be coupled with the recession, which in its worst cases will require surgery to help support your gums grow back and support the teeth they surround.

Preventative cleaning work by removing plaque and tartar build-up around the gumline. Your periodontist can let you know the condition of your dental hygiene and they might recommend that you come more frequently for cleanings if they are concerned about gum disease developing due to hygiene issues.

There is also another procedure called scaling and root planing. Essentially, what it is, is deep cleaning. This deep cleaning requires an anesthetic. It will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum-line.

Surgical Route

In some cases, your periodontist will recommend surgery for your gum disease treatment. There are 5 different options here.

1. Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. The gum is peeled back so that the periodontist can clean behind it. Accessing closer to the tooth’s root helps get the bacteria cleaned from underneath the gum, before the gum is put back, they will also potentially smooth any surfaces that attract bacteria. This procedure will help minimize the growth of bacteria in this area. When the gum is placed back against the tooth, it is done so snuggly, again, to mitigate attracting bacteria in this area under and along the gums.
2. Bone grafts. Bone grafts help with stabilizing the teeth. The bone can be sourced from several different sources, including your own. The ultimate goal is to have the bone grow back stronger and less fragmented.
3. Soft tissue grafts. This treatment is often used as the solution to receding gums. Your tissue is most often taken from the top of your mouth and placed around the gum line where dangerous recession is found. It then heals and better supports the tooth, leaving less of the more sensitive areas of the tooth exposed, for more comfort, less sensitivity, and less gum disease.
4. Guided tissue regeneration. This is a supportive surgery for bone and tissue redevelopment. If the bone is missing, a small piece of fabric is placed between the missing bone and the current gum tissue, acting as a splint, it guides and directs the regrowth of both the bone and tissue in the correct places.
5. Bone surgery. This surgery takes care of the craters in the bone that create issues for your oral health. Through the techniques of flap surgery, this result is achieved. Fixing the craters in the bone will prevent further growth of gum disease bacteria from growing.

Ultimately, surgical options are the last resort, if you can prevent gum disease with great hygiene and dental visits, that is the best option. However, if you cannot, these are very viable options that your periodontist can walk you through. We are located in Toronto, with two different convenient locations. Contact us for periodontics in Toronto.