What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums, which gradually destroys oral tissue. It starts off as gingivitis, which occurs when bacteria build up in the gum tissue. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which affects tissue, bone, and the gums.
Gum Disease Therapy
To address gum disease, we provide non-surgical treatments that utilize precision medicine tools, including salivary diagnostics. Gum disease treatment involves either deep cleaning or surgical procedures. Deep cleaning involves scaling and root planing. Scaling involves scraping off the plaque and tartar from around and below the gum line. Root planing involves smoothing the roots of the teeth to prevent bacteria from clinging to them. If the gum disease is more advanced, surgery may be necessary. During surgery, the gums are reshaped, and any damaged bone is repaired.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, often referred to by its acronym, SRP, is a deep cleaning procedure that treats gum disease. Scaling and root planing can help you prevent these issues. It's a procedure that removes plaque and calculus – or hardened plaque – from your teeth and below your gum line. This procedure is used to treat gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can spread to the bone that surrounds and supports the tooth. When gingivitis is not properly treated, it can advance to periodontitis.
What Does Scaling and Root Planing Entail?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup from the teeth. The gum tissue is pulled away from the teeth, and these areas are scraped to remove buildup. Root planing is the process of smoothing the surface of the tooth root. This reduces areas where bacteria can grow and stops pockets from forming between the gums and teeth. The pockets allow infection and plaque buildup to occur.
Scaling and root planing is often done as a preventive treatment before gum disease develops. However, it can also be used to treat periodontal disease.
What Are the Main Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing provide a number of benefits for your oral health. In addition to removing plaque and tartar buildup, it also:
- Improves your oral health
- Reduces the inflammation surrounding the gums and eliminates pockets in the gum tissue, which deters bacteria from accumulating
- Combined with proper at-home care, it can help you enjoy healthier gums and fresher breath
- It can help reduce tooth sensitivity and eliminate bad breath
- Has an immediate effect on your appearance
- Removes tartar and plaque to prevent tooth decay
Surgical Procedures
- Soft tissue grafts
Gum recession happens when the gums pull away from a tooth, exposing the tooth root. Gum recession is often caused by gum disease, making soft tissue grafts a necessary treatment for restoring gum health. A soft tissue graft, also known as a gum graft, is a procedure used to restore gum tissue in areas that have experienced gum recession.
- Bone and tissue grafts
To perform a bone graft, we will typically take bone from elsewhere in the mouth and graft it to the affected tooth. This improves bone density around the tooth and helps prevent tooth sensitivity and pain.
- Flap procedures
Flap procedures are often performed after a gum disease treatment to help minimize further infection. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that invade the gums and irritate the tissue. This irritation causes the gums to become swollen and red, and they can also bleed and be painful.`
At Wade K. Marler, D.D.S, we offer the best dental care possible to each of our patients in a positive and relaxing environment. If you're ready to experience the best dental care, please contact us at (253) 852-0480 or visit us at 17203 SE 270th Pl, Covington, WA 98042.