Periodontics at Aesthetic Dental Center of Morris County

Periodontics is an area of dentistry concerned with the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and bone structure.

Periodontists are focused on the treatment of periodontal disease involving gum inflammation or bleeding. Undiagnosed and untreated periodontal disease can cause the loosening of teeth and lead to eventual tooth loss. It also has been linked to health problems like heart disease.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a common procedure performed by our hygienists. It is a nonsurgical treatment that helps remove plaque and tartar from around the gum line. This is a deep cleaning procedure performed under local anesthesia.

The "planing" part of the process is when we will smooth, or plane, some of the rougher spots found on your tooth roots to eliminate bacteria and provide a clean surface so that the gum is able to reattach to teeth.

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a tissue infection of those soft tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease is considered to be a serious condition since it can lead to tooth loss. You may not even know you have it because the initial stage of gum disease is usually painless. 

Warning Signs of Gum Disease:

Gums bleeding easily

Swollen, red or tender gums

Gums that have receded away from teeth

Chronic bad breath

Adult teeth that are separating or loose

A change in the bite

Changes in partial dentures' fitting

You should schedule an appointment with your dentist if you suspect gum disease. The sooner the better. Gingivitis is the term describing the early stages of gum disease. At this point, your gums can become swollen, inflamed and easily bleed. However, the disease is reversible at this early stage and can be normally eliminated by undergoing a professional dental cleaning, followed by regular brushing and flossing.

Factors contributing to the risk of gum disease include:

Poor oral hygiene

Smoking tobacco

Genetics

Pregnancy

Diabetes

Difficult to clean, crooked teeth

Certain medications including some oral contraceptives, cancer therapy drugs and steroids

Periodontitis

When gum disease becomes advanced, it is known as periodontitis. Almost half of adults over the age of 30 are affected by chronic periodontitis. This serious condition can cause a loss of bone and tissue supporting the teeth. If it continues to progress, your teeth will start loosening and moving around in your mouth. Although the disease tends to develop slowly, it can rapidly progress at times. In case of advanced periodontal disease we will refer you to a periodontal specialty practice.

Do you experience inflamed or bleeding gums on a regular basis? If so, you should contact Aesthetic Dental Center of Morris County to make an appointment so that we evaluate the situation and recommend a treatment plan for you.