An estimated 64.7 million adults in the United States have periodontal disease. To treat existing infections and prevent progressive gum damage, Robert Kim, DDS, and the dental team at Avion Dental in Chino Hills, California, customize your treatment plan. They offer advanced treatment options for periodontal disease, including the LANAP laser protocol to treat infected gums without harming nearby healthy tissue. To find out more about available treatment options for gum disease, call Avion Dental or book an appointment online today.
Periodontal disease describes a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissues of your gum. If left untreated, periodontal disease can break down the bone that stabilizes your teeth and lead to the permanent loss of your teeth.
Early-stage periodontal disease generally starts when the sugars and starches you eat start building up on your teeth and form plaque. The longer plaque stays on your teeth, the more likely it is to harden into tartar.
Plaque and tartar can irritate your gums and cause inflammation (gingivitis). Chronic inflammation can lead to pockets forming between your gums and teeth that also fill with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, which increases your risk for infections deep in the tissue that can cause tooth and bone loss.
You might also be at increased risk for periodontal disease because of:
If you use certain medications that cause changes in your gums or dry mouth, your risk for periodontal disease increases.
Symptoms of periodontal disease can begin as tooth pain and swollen, tender gums. You might also experience other signs of periodontal disease such as:
If you have any tooth or gum pain, it’s important that you schedule a dental exam with the Avion Dental team right away. With the proper treatment, you can slow the progress of periodontal disease and preserve your natural teeth.
The Avion Dental team customizes a treatment plan for periodontal disease based on your needs. You might need a course of antibiotics first to clear the infection before you undergo further dental work.
In general, treatment starts with a thorough cleaning of your teeth and the pockets along your gum line to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar that can damage your teeth and bone. The dental team also offers scaling services to remove plaque and tartar using specialized instruments or a laser.
The Avion Dental team also uses LANAP laser gum treatments to regrow the tissues and bone that you lose because of periodontal disease. LANAP uses laser energy to clear bacteria from your teeth and stimulate the growth of new tissue and bone without harming surrounding tissue.
The LANAP treatment is less painful than traditional periodontal disease surgery and provides a better long-term outcome.
If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, call Avion Dental or book a consultation online today to get the treatment you need to protect your oral health.
