Gum Disease

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Gum disease is a lot more common than most people think because the symptoms are not always obvious at first. Fortunately, Dental Works offers a number of options to effectively prevent, detect and treat this disease. A chronic infection caused by an accumulation of plaque around the gum line, periodontal or gum disease can lead to everything from persistent bad breath to far more serious problems like the loss of your teeth. It can even affect your overall health and well-being, leaving you vulnerable to diabetes and heart disease. While there are a number of symptoms commonly associated with periodontal disease, sometimes the warning signs are not readily apparent until it’s too late. That’s why it’s important to have your gums checked once every three to six months as part of a comprehensive dental exam.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here to Register, Or Login in the login box above.] is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease does not directly affect the occluding surfaces of teeth; the main cause of periodontal disease is a bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on teeth. If periodontal disease is detected and diagnosed in its initial stages, we can remove any build up above and below your gum line in a process known as scaling. However, if the disease has progressed to the point where more of your teeth’s roots are exposed, root planning may be called for. It’s similar to scaling, but since roots are particularly sensitive, local anesthesia is required. We may also provide antibiotics to kill the bacteria and stop the infection from spreading. Left unchecked, periodontal disease can weaken or even destroy the bones that support your teeth. We can perform a flap procedure to clean the roots of your teeth while repairing and reshaping the bone. Depending on the extent of the damage, we may need to graft new bone to augment or replace the missing bone. In extreme cases, loose or severely damaged teeth may need to be extracted.

No matter how often or thoroughly you brush; you can never completely get rid of all the bacteria and food particles that accumulate on the surface of your teeth. Left untreated, this residue commonly known as plaque can cause everything from cavities to gum disease.