Periodontics Specialist

What is periodontics?

Periodontics refers to the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, which affects your gums and jawbone. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which begins with mild gum inflammation, known as gingivitis.

Your gum tissues are supposed to surround and support your teeth and the underlying jawbone helps anchor your teeth firmly in place. Dentists at Trident Dental specializing in periodontics have completed several years of extra dental courses. They’re trained in maintaining the function, health, and aesthetics of the jawbone and surrounding tissues.

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss and needs to be taken very seriously. The most common cause of periodontal disease is poor oral hygiene. Neglectful brushing and flossing can threaten the health of your gums, which means the best preventive care is diligent brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease generally begins when the bacteria living in plaque in the teeth cause an infection in the surrounding tissues of the teeth, causing them to become irritated and painful.  Eventually, this infection will cause the jawbone to recede and the tooth to become loose.

Who needs periodontal treatment?

The most common signs of periodontal disease include red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums. However, in some cases, it has no noticeable symptoms. Regular checkups with your dentist at Trident Dental can help you detect periodontal disease early on when it’s easiest to treat.

Gum recession is also a cause for concern and often requires periodontal treatment. It can be caused by hard brushing or tooth grinding. If you suspect you have even a mild form of periodontal disease, it’s best to have your gums looked at by one of the professionals at Trident Dental.

What types of periodontal treatments are offered?

The most common type of periodontal treatment offered at Trident Dental is a procedure called scaling and root planing (SRP). SRP is performed to remove harmful tartar.

During the scaling portion, your dentist uses special dental instruments to carefully remove tartar and plaque from the surface of the crown and root surfaces of your teeth. For the root planing, a special dental tool is used to remove cementum and surface dentin embedded with unwanted microorganisms, toxins, and tartar. Your dentist smooths the root of each tooth to promote good healing. Having clean, smooth root surfaces helps prevent bacteria from accumulating.

Following a scaling and root planing procedure, the gum pockets may be treated with antibiotics. This will soothe irritation and help the gum tissues to heal quickly.

To have any signs or symptoms of periodontal disease looked at by the Trident Dental team, call the office or use the online booking tool today and schedule an appointment.