Periodontics - Ellisville, MO
Expert Periodontal Care for Healthy Gums and Confident Smiles
From Gum Tenderness to Treatment
Gum disease, often overlooked but critical to address, can lead to serious oral health issues if left untreated. It typically begins with plaque buildup along the gumline, which, if not removed through regular brushing and flossing, can harden into tartar. This buildup irritates the gums, causing inflammation known as gingivitis. If not managed at this stage, it can progress to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that collect debris and bacteria.
Eventually, this can lead to bone and tooth loss. At Zieba Family Dentistry, our experienced dentists offer effective gum disease treatment, including deep cleanings to remove tartar and bacteria from below the gum line and personalized oral care plans to restore gum health. By addressing gum disease promptly, we can help prevent further complications and preserve your smile’s health and beauty!
The Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Bleeding, tender, or swollen gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Receding gums and tooth sensitivity
- Visible pus caused by a periodontal abscess
- Shifting or loose teeth
Treatment from the Experts
At Zieba Family Dentistry, we have extensive experience treating gum disease and helping patients maintain optimal oral health. Our skilled team utilizes advanced techniques such as deep cleanings, scaling, and root planing to manage gum disease at various stages effectively. We emphasize preventive care through regular dental exams and cleanings, educating patients on proper oral hygiene practices to reduce the risk of gum disease.
We understand the financial concerns of dental treatments and offer flexible financing options to make gum disease treatments accessible for our patients. Your oral health is our priority, and we are committed to providing compassionate care and comprehensive solutions to safeguard your gums and smile for years to come.
Key Gum Disease Treatments
Crown lengthening is a dental surgery to treat gum disease by reshaping the gum tissue and, when necessary, the underlying bone. The primary goal of this procedure is to reveal a larger area of the tooth’s surface, which is essential for properly fitting a dental crown.
In cases of insufficient tooth structure to support a crown independently, crown lengthening becomes a vital step. By reducing the gum tissue and potentially modifying the bone structure, if required, crown lengthening ensures that a more significant portion of the tooth is visible above the gum line.
A gingival graft, or gum graft, is a surgical procedure to address receding gums. This technique involves attaching tissue from the palate or a neighboring area to the gum recession site. Opting for gum grafts can significantly enhance gum health and create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Scaling and root planing is a comprehensive dental cleaning procedure for gum disease. This treatment utilizes a laser to efficiently remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum pockets, eliminating harmful bacteria and toxins. Scaling and root planing therapies are well-known for being safe and minimally invasive methods for successfully treating periodontal disease.
A frenectomy is performed to eliminate or adjust the frenulum, a small band of tissue that restricts excessive movement of the lips or tongue. It can be performed on either the lip (labial frenulum) or beneath the tongue (lingual frenulum). Frenectomies facilitate improved cleaning and maintenance of the front teeth, reducing the risk of oral issues such as gum disease.
A gingivectomy is a dental procedure to remove or reshape infected gum tissue. This surgery involves the elimination of gum tissue at the gum line and is successful in gingivitis treatment. We employ gingivectomy as a treatment for certain types of gum disease. It is a prevalent cosmetic surgical procedure utilized to enhance the aesthetics of one’s smile.
A pinhole surgical technique is a minimally invasive option to treat receding gums. Using a surgical microscope, one or two small entry points are made in the gum area near the tooth that needs to be treated. A small tool is inserted into the entry point to gently manipulate the gum tissues and guide them back to their original, healthy position. Then, minuscule collagen strips are carefully inserted under the gums through the entry point. The collagen aids in securing the gums as they undergo the healing process.
The duration of the treatment typically ranges from 20 minutes to an hour, varying based on the quantity of teeth being treated. The site of entry heals rapidly, and the tiny hole is nearly invisible the following day, requiring no downtime for recovery.
