Maintaining dental health is essential to your overall physical and mental health. Protect your smile and enjoy boosted confidence with expert Philadelphia periodontics at Dentistry for Life in Philadelphia, PA.
A good smile can go a long way in making a great first impression, and when your mouth and gums aren’t healthy, your smile isn’t as bright as it should be. Periodontics focuses on preventing and treating gum disease that affects your teeth and overall mouth well-being.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half the adult population over 30 years old experience signs of gum disease. Gingivitis, a mild form of periodontitis, occurs when a bacterial infection accumulates in your mouth and causes redness, puffiness, and pain in your gums. When this is untreated, it can progress into more significant periodontal disease that damages your teeth and mouth. Complications from severe periodontitis include:
Whenever you eat or drink anything with starch or sugar, it interacts with the bacteria that are normally in your mouth. If it is not removed from proper daily brushing and flossing, plaque can form, causing gingivitis, which might show symptoms of red, puffy gums. When plaque continues to stay on your teeth, it can harden and turn into tartar (or dental calculus), which can start to advance to further deterioration and disease. Periodontal disease can start with mild or no symptoms, but when left untreated, it can manifest into irritation, bleeding, pain, and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults in the United States. Typical types of periodontal disease are:
Chronic Periodontitis
When there is progressive loss of bone tissue surrounding the root that holds the teeth in place caused by chronic inflammation in the gums, pockets can be formed, and gum recession can occur. This loss of healthy gum tissue is usually gradual and can make your teeth appear longer.
Aggressive Periodontitis
The gums lose the ability to attach itself to the teeth, and significant bone loss has occurred in typically healthy patients.
Necrotizing Periodontitis
The mouth has experienced tissue death in the gum tissue and structure supporting the teeth. This can occur in patients who are malnourished or have a compromised immune system due to illnesses or medications.
Periodontitis with Chronic Conditions
Like necrotizing periodontitis, this can cause tissue death but typically begins at earlier ages due to certain medical problems like diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory conditions.
Improve the Health of your Mouth
Seeking dental care for periodontal disease can be overwhelming. With our personalized and compassionate approach, we can help you treat your gum disease. When you visit our providers, we will complete a comprehensive exam to evaluate the condition of your gums, teeth, and jawbone. Then we will strategize with you to create a plan to get back to putting your best smile forward. Treatments may include:
If the bacteria in your mouth has developed into tartar, we will thoroughly clean the pockets between the gum and teeth and remove the plaque and tartar. Then the surface of your teeth will be smoothed with scaling and root planing in order to help the gum tissue heal and re-attach to your teeth properly. Antibiotics and prescription strength mouthwash may be prescribed to help treat any significant infections.
If your disease is advanced, then it may be necessary to help regenerate bone and tissue that have been destroyed using a graft procedure. This can help new, healthy tissue grow and strengthen tooth support to help prevent tooth loss.
This surgical procedure reduces the space between the teeth and gums, where severe periodontal disease has caused extreme damage to the bone and jaw structure. Minimizing this space can prevent further damage and tooth loss.
If you have experienced tooth loss stemming from untreated periodontal disease, dental implants can restore the functionality of the mouth while also restoring an aesthetic appearance. These are artificial, individual teeth permanently implanted in the jawbone that can give you a natural look and feel.
Regular periodontal maintenance is essential to keep your gums, teeth, and mouth in healthy condition. Once we have treated your periodontal disease, it is important to maintain the results with regularly scheduled exams and cleanings to prevent the condition from deteriorating again.
Periodontal treatment is an excellent method to keep your mouth healthy and protect against gum disease. Key benefits are:
Our knowledgeable staff has decades of experience working with patients on their journeys to better oral health. We understand dental care can cause anxiety, and we are here to treat you with respect, kindness, and compassion as we help you improve your smile. If you'd like to find out more about periodontics Philadelphia oral health professionals at Dentistry for Life can answer any questions you may have and address any concerns during a thorough consultation. Call us today at (267) 710-8871 for a personalized consultation.
Almost anyone who is affected by any level of gum disease can benefit from regular periodontal treatment.
Can gum disease be completely cured?
The effects of gum disease can be reversed with professional treatment, follow up, and good oral hygiene at home.
Are there other negative health impacts to having gum disease?
Untreated gum disease can take a toll on your confidence if your smile is no longer what you want it to be. It can also inhibit your immune system, making you susceptible to other medical concerns.
Will I lose my teeth if I have periodontitis?
Severe periodontitis is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
How much does periodontal treatment cost?
The cost of periodontics is dependent on your insurance status. Insurance may cover some of the costs associated with care but will vary based on your specific plan. Our financial coordinator will be happy to discuss payment options in detail.
Philadelphia dentist offers saturday and sunday appointments.
Our office is located at 1601 Walnut Street #1217 in Philadelphia. We offer appointments seven days a week to make dental care convenient for you and your schedule:
