Periodontal Treatment

Nearly 50% of American adults experience some level of periodontal disease by age 30. Kenneth Tran, DDS, and Nikki Korloo, DDS, with the experienced dental team at Tropical Dental Care in Tomball, Texas, understand the importance of healthy gums to maintain your smile and overall oral health. With a full spectrum of periodontal treatment options, the team can help improve your gum health. Call the practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is periodontal treatment?

If you have gum disease, periodontal treatment can restore your gum health and prevent the disease from spreading. 

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection that eats away at your tooth-supporting tissues. It occurs when plaque, a clingy bacteria, sticks to your gums and releases dangerous toxins. Without treatment, plaque can travel beneath your gum line and become trapped in pockets, damaging your gum tissue and underlying bone.

Periodontal treatment can reverse some signs of gum disease and preserve your periodontal health and secure a stable foundation for your teeth.

Why might I need periodontal treatment?

Periodontal treatment is essential if you have gum disease. There are two types the team treats:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease that causes inflammation and redness. While your gums may bleed when you brush and floss, your teeth remain fully intact. Addressing periodontal disease in its early stages can help reverse its effects.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an advanced periodontal disease that occurs when plaque eats away at your tooth-supporting structures, causing your gums to recede and your teeth to loosen. While periodontitis has no cure, the team performs several effective treatment options to improve your gum health and prevent tooth loss.

How do I know if I need periodontal treatment?

The signs of gum disease can be subtle at first, but they can worsen over time. Telltale signs of periodontal disease include:

• Receding gums
• Shifting teeth
• Loose teeth
• Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing
• Tooth pain
• Bad breath
• Visible pus between your gums and teeth
• Tooth loss

The team performs comprehensive dental exams, complete with digital X-rays and other imaging scans, to determine the type of gum disease you have and create a personalized periodontal treatment plan.

What are the different types of periodontal treatment?

The most effective types of periodontal treatment are:

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, is a minimally invasive treatment that involves inserting thin dental tools beneath the gum line to remove pockets of plaque. Once the pockets are free of plaque, the team smooths your roots to attach them to your teeth again.

Periodontal surgery

Periodontal surgery is a grafting procedure that involves taking bone or tissue from one area of your mouth and applying it to areas with receding gums. This may involve applying medications to control the bacteria and reduce the size of the pockets between the teeth and gums.

Call Tropical Dental Care today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about periodontal treatment.