Periodontal Disease Treatment in Marietta, GA

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. It is usually painless and caused by the bacteria filled plaque or tartar that forms around your teeth.

Early and moderate periodontal disease may exhibit few, if any, symptoms. Warning signs of advanced periodontal disease may include:

  • Red, swollen or bleeding gums
  • Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
  • Loose teeth
  • Separation of gum from tooth
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit together

Most common stages of periodontal disease:

Gingivitis:
A mild inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup.  Gums may be sore, red and bleed when brushing or probing.

Periodontitis:
If left untreated, the gum infection damages the bone and supporting tissues.  Gum separates from the tooth and supporting bone level deteriorates.

Advanced Periodontitis:
Gums recede farther and separate.  Pus may develop, bone loss continues, and teeth may loosen or fall out.

Treatment:
During your examination, we will check your gums and measure gum tissue attachments your teeth to see if any pockets have formed.  Treatment will depend upon the type of periodontal disease and how far the condition has progressed.

Treatment options include:

Scaling and Polish
Cleans teeth to remove light deposits above the gumline.  This is usually done for patients who have no gum pockets and have been maintaining oral hygiene at home.

Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Removal of heavier deposits above and below the gumline.  This procedure allows gums to heal to the teeth and become tighter.  This procedure is done with local anesthetic for comfort either in one or two sessions.

Oral Irrigation
Directs anti-microbial liquid below the gumline to flush out and kill germs to allow the regeneration of healthy tissue.

A proper program of brushing, flossing and regular professional cleanings will help fight plaque accumulation and gum disease, and help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

We offer the latest oral rinses, such as Peridex, Periomed, and Listerine products.  We also give presentations on latest electrical toothbrushes for adults and children, such as Sonicare and OralB brands. Our patients always receive oral hygiene instructions as well as a sample of the latest products after a cleaning.