Periodontics in Lake Katrine

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease starts as gingivitis. In the early stages of gingivitis, you may notice that your gums bleed easily, particularly when you brush your teeth. You may also experience swelling and tenderness of your gums. This can occur throughout your mouth or only in certain areas.

With proper intervention and care, gingivitis can be reversed without causing permanent damage to your gums. However, if left untreated, gum disease can worsen, causing your gums to pull away from your teeth. This can lead to extreme tooth sensitivity, as well as damage to the gum tissue and underlying bone. Teeth can start to loosen and eventually fall out. Gum disease is still the number one cause of tooth loss among adults.

What Is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist and gum disease specialist who has completed an additional two to three years of specialized training in gum disease management and prevention. They also specialize in dental implants and gum restoration techniques, such as gum grafting.

If you’re experiencing signs or symptoms of gum disease, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our highly trained periodontist in Lake Katrine.

What Does a Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a gum disease expert who diagnoses and treats conditions involving the gums and soft tissue. The word periodontics is derived from two Greek words: “perio” means “around” and “dontic” means “tooth.”

Following are some of the most common periodontal services:

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Gum disease occurs when bacteria in our mouths turn to plaque, which is a sticky substance that forms on our teeth as we eat and drink. Even with proper oral hygiene, plaque can be resistant and create a breeding ground for gingivitis to develop. When this happens, the bacteria can also attack the soft tissue, causing your gums to pull away from your teeth. If not treated promptly, this process will break down the tissue and eventually erode the jawbone that holds the teeth in their proper position.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a natural-looking tooth replacement that can last a lifetime. Dental implants are inserted into your jawbone and mimic your natural tooth’s root. This provides a strong foundation for placement of dental appliances, such as crowns, bridges and implant-supported dentures. Most importantly, dental implants can preserve your jawbone and facial proportions, and prevent the surrounding teeth from moving out of position.

Crown Lengthening

The crown is the part of the tooth that shows above the gum line. A crown lengthening is performed to reduce some of the gum tissue around the tooth so that more of the crown shows. This may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including lengthening a tooth so that a dental crown will fit properly over it, or to reveal more tooth so that a partial denture or a bracket for braces can be attached. It might also be performed for cosmetic reasons, such as creating a more even gum line or removing excess gum around a tooth.

Gummy Smile Correction

Some people have more gum tissue around their teeth than others, which makes their teeth appear shorter than normal, creating a gummy smile. Our highly qualified periodontist can improve your smile with gum-contouring techniques. By doing this, the shape of the gums can be corrected to create an even gum line and a more visually appealing smile.

Soft Tissue Grafting

If gum disease continues, it’s not uncommon for tooth roots to become exposed. Our gum disease expert will use the most advanced techniques to harvest graft areas and cover the areas of recession. This reduces the risk of tooth loss and future bone loss.

Oral Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

With oral cancer diagnoses on the rise, it’s important to stay proactive. More and more cases are now being linked to HPV infections. Biopsies of suspicious areas are taken and sent for diagnosis. Afterwards, the possible treatment options and periodontal services will be discussed in detail.

In addition to providing exceptional periodontal services, your comfort matters to us. Our periodontist in Lake Katrine is also trained in nitrous oxide administration, as well as other types of sedation. During your consultation, all of your questions, concerns and options will be discussed.

If you’re looking for a dentist who performs periodontics in Lake Katrine, you’ve found the right place. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We want to make you smile.