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Gum disease is fairly common in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims nearly half of people over age 30 have it. The mild variety of gum disease is gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, you may notice your gums are red, swollen and they may bleed easily. Gingivitis is reversible, but left untreated, it can turn into periodontal disease, a more advanced form of gum disease.
Periodontal disease needs treatment from a gum disease expert. Without treatment to halt the serious infection’s progression, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and they become sensitive as the roots are exposed. Eventually the bacteria destroys the tissue and bone holding a tooth, and the tooth starts to wiggle in your mouth. You may lose one or more teeth without help from a gum disease specialist.
Periodontists are dental school graduates who chose to continue their education for two or three more years in a periodontal residency program. They treat gum disease and other conditions affecting the gums. Contact our practice today to line up an appointment with our periodontist in Gainesville.
What Services Does a Periodontist Provide?
Periodontists are experts at diagnosing and treating gum disease. Our periodontist in Gainesville also places dental implants. Periodontists care for the tissue and bones that hold teeth in place. Your family dentist may refer you to one if you need a gum disease specialist or someone to place implants. Below are answers to the common questions our patients ask about the periodontal services we offer:
What Is Periodontal Disease Treatment?
At Tioga Dental & Orthodontics, our gum disease expert will start with the most conservative periodontal disease treatment; a deep cleaning. You may also receive antibiotics. Periodontists also offer oral hygiene instructions, as patients must be vigilant about dental plaque removal. In many cases, this will halt the disease’s progression. If it doesn’t, there are more treatment options, including surgery to remove diseased tissue and rebuild the gum around the tooth. Treatment is important since studies link periodontal disease to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses and dementia.
What Is Dental Implant Placement?
If you’re missing a tooth, or even some of your teeth, dental implants offer a permanent replacement option. The implant is a titanium rod which is inserted into your jawbone. It acts as a tooth root, providing a secure base for a crown if you’re missing one tooth. Multiple implants can hold a bridge or a denture if you’re missing more teeth. Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, implants prevent jawbone atrophy, helping you keep your face shape.
What Is a Gum Graft?
Gum grafting procedures replace gum tissue you’ve lost. If you have receding gums, your dentist may take some gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and position it around an exposed tooth root. You should heal quickly, usually within two weeks.
How Does Gummy Smile Surgery Work?
It’s a procedure for people who flash too much gum and not enough teeth when they smile. While your smile’s aesthetics are a matter of personal opinion, patients showing three or more millimeters of gum usually say their smile looks gummy. It’s a fairly simply procedure, done under local anesthesia, that takes about an hour. Our periodontist will trim your gum or reshape it to give you a smile that shows more teeth.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
The crown is the part of the tooth visible in your mouth, while the root is beneath the gum. Lengthening your crown involves reshaping your gums to expose more of your tooth that was hidden under them. There are several reasons to have this procedure. It can be cosmetic, so less of your gums show when you smile. If you have nice pearly whites, you want to show them off. You can also have your crown lengthened to accommodate a crown, braces or a denture.
Do Periodontists Treat Oral Cancer?
Your dentist or doctor may refer you to our periodontics office for a biopsy of any abnormal tissue he or she observed in your mouth. Early detection and treatment are essential for a successful outcome. Oral cancer is highly treatable in its early stages. The rise in oral cancer cases because of the HPV infection means more people who don’t have the traditional risk factors, like tobacco use and heavy drinking, are at risk. If you see any abnormal white patches in your mouth or you have a sore that isn’t healing, you can call our practice for an appointment. You don’t have to wait for a referral.
Gum health is our priority. Bright, white teeth are not enough to have good oral health. You can call us at to schedule an appointment for periodontics in Gainesville. We look forward to providing you with the personalized periodontic services you need to maintain your oral health.
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