Periodontics, a dental specialty focused on the gums, offers treatments and preventive services to control soft-tissue infections in your mouth. At Impressive Dental Care in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Lea Planzos, DMD, MS, Penny Planzos, DMD, MS, and Thomas Planzos, DMD, offer surgical and nonsurgical periodontal treatments for gingivitis and periodontitis. To schedule an appointment, call the office today or book one online.
What is periodontics?
Periodontics is the treatment of the supportive soft-tissue structures inside your mouth — the gums. Your gums surround every tooth and are prone to inflammation and eventual infection when bacteria build up on your enamel. As bacterial plaque and tartar slip beneath the gumline, they cause painful inflammation, damaging your gums.
Eventually, periodontal disease (gum infection) spreads to your jawbone, and this causes bone loss and the loss of adult teeth. The infection can also reach other organs and systems in your body, causing extensive complications.
Fortunately, diseases of the gums are manageable and preventable. You can minimize your need for periodontics at Impressive Dental Care by practicing exceptional oral health care.
Who can benefit from periodontics?
Preventing gum disease can help everyone. It’s important to brush and floss thoroughly, and not smoking also improves your outlook when it comes to gum disease.
The Impressive Dental Care dentists offer periodontal care for the two stages of periodontal disease:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum inflammation that comes before gum recession and bone deterioration. This stage is highly treatable, often with nothing more than improved oral hygiene habits and deep cleaning.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease. Your gum tissue pulls away from the roots of your teeth, creating pockets between your gums and teeth. Eventually, your adult teeth will loosen. You’re also at risk of jawbone breakdown.
Which treatments does periodontics include?
Impressive Dental Care offers a range of effective treatments for gum disease. Your dentist thoroughly examines your teeth and gums and might take X-rays to examine your jawbone. They then recommend treatments or services to remove or manage a gum disease infection.
Your treatment for periodontal disease can include:
- Scaling and root planing
- Antibiotics
- Laser gum therapy
- Gum grafts
- Bone grafts (for your jawbone)
- Gum surgery
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth
The Impressive Dental Care dentists specialize in periodontics. They can teach you oral hygiene practices to maintain your oral health after treatment.
For more information on periodontics and available services, schedule an appointment at Impressive Dental Care today over the phone or online.