Symptoms: Common symptoms include red, swollen, and bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, and loose teeth.
Causes: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar on teeth, leading to inflammation and infection of the gums. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, and certain medications can increase the risk.
Procedure: Our dentist begins treatment with a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. For advanced cases, we perform scaling and root planing to clean deep pockets and smooth the tooth roots. Surgical interventions like flap surgery or bone grafts may be necessary in severe cases.
Duration of Procedure: The duration varies depending on the severity of the disease. Scaling and root planning typically require one to two visits, each lasting about an hour.
Recovery Time: Recovery from non-surgical treatments is usually quick, with mild discomfort for a few days. Surgical treatments may require a few weeks for full recovery.
Benefits: Treating gum disease prevents tooth loss, reduces bad breath, and improves overall oral health. It also lowers the risk of other health issues linked to gum disease, such as heart disease and diabetes.
How to Avoid It: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Avoid smoking and manage underlying health conditions to reduce the risk of gum disease.
A crown is a tooth shaped cap that covers the natural tooth in order to strengthen it so that the tooth does not fracture, or make the tooth more cosmetically pleasing. This is commonly done when the tooth has been weakened due to root canal treatment, tooth fracture, when there is not enough healthy tooth structure to hold in a larger filling, or to cover staining. Crown materials include gold, ceramics, porcelain, or a combination of metal and porcelain. The office may use an outside dental lab in fabricating the crown restoration.