Periodontics

Periodontic care is vital to prevent tooth loss if you develop gum disease. Shabani Dental in La Crescenta, California, offers specialized periodontal treatments to eliminate gum disease and address the damage it causes, including bone loss. The experienced team also provides preventive care to help you avoid gum health problems. Call Shabani Dental to learn more about periodontics or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is periodontics?

Periodontics focuses on gum health. Periodontal (gum) disease is a long-term bacterial infection causing inflammation that quickly spreads to the tooth-supporting bones. When this happens, the bone weakens and the teeth loosen, eventually separating from the gums. Periodontal disease causes problems like:

• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Receding gums
• Pus between gums and teeth
• Mouth sores
• Persistent bad breath
• Changes in your bite

Periodontal disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. It may also play a role in serious health conditions, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Periodontics helps to prevent tooth loss and treats the damage gum disease causes.

Why would I get periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease risk factors include:

• Aging
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Stress
• Medication
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Chronic poor health
• Inadequate nutrition
• Excess body weight

The likeliest cause is poor dental hygiene, for example, not brushing often enough or effectively and not flossing regularly. This allows plaque — the sticky substance that coats your teeth — to build up, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.  

Over time the plaque hardens, forming calculus (tartar), a material that’s impossible to remove at home. Calculus also harbors bacteria, encouraging gum disease. Even when you think you’re brushing properly, plaque and calculus can build up between your teeth and below the gum line. This is just one reason why regular dental exams are so important.

What periodontics procedures might I need?

Periodontics procedures you might require for gum disease include:

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing is the frontline treatment for controlling gum disease. Shabani Dental’s expert hygienist uses hand or ultrasonic scalers to remove plaque and scrape away calculus.

Gum grafting

Gum grafting involves extracting healthy gum tissue from one part of your mouth and transplanting it to another. You might need a gum graft if periodontal disease severely damages the gum around a specific tooth. The graft surrounds the tooth with healthy gum tissue, protecting it from exposure to food particles and bacteria.

Periodontal plastic surgery

Periodontal plastic surgery involves reshaping the gum tissue to improve the overall appearance.

Periodontal laser treatment

Periodontal laser treatment is an alternative to traditional surgery. It involves using laser (light) energy to remove diseased tissue.

The practice’s oral surgeon also performs periodontal bone preservation procedures.

Call Shabani Dental today to schedule a periodontics consultation or book an appointment online.