| Gum
disease is the main reason people need periodontal treatment, but other
gum conditions require treatment, too. Here is an overview of treatment
for various conditions.
Treatment of Gum Disease
Gum (or periodontal) disease includes a number of conditions caused by bacterial
infections of the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth within the
jawbones. The disease can cause tissue and bone to be destroyed, and can
lead to tooth loss.
A combination of professional treatment and your efforts can stop the progression
of gum disease and prevent further tissue destruction. Depending on the stage
of gum disease, treatment ranges from a thorough cleaning to sophisticated
types of periodontal surgery.
Treatment at any stage of periodontal disease can make your gums healthier.
Some people assume that losing teeth is a natural part of aging, but if you
work with your dental professional to keep your gums healthy, you should
be able to keep your teeth for a lifetime.
The main goals of periodontal treatment are to:
- Eliminate the bacterial infections that cause gum disease
- Control the inflammatory process that is responsible for destruction
of the tissues anchoring the teeth to the jawbones
- Create a healthy periodontal environment that is easy for you and your
dental professional to maintain
The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis,
usually can be stopped before it causes significant destruction of soft tissue
or bone. Your general dentist or dental hygienist can treat most cases of
gingivitis with a combination of in-office cleanings and instruction in good
oral hygiene.
In some people, gingivitis will progress to the more advanced stages of
gum disease that involve loss of the structures that anchor the teeth to
the jawbones. These more advanced stages are known as periodontitis and
usually require more aggressive forms of treatment than gingivitis. In this
case, it is likely that your dentist will refer you to a periodontist (a
gum specialist) for treatment.
Treatment of Gum Recession
Gums can recede, or shrink, even if there's no bacterial infection. One of
the main causes of gum recession is improper brushing. Using a hard- or medium-bristled
toothbrush can cause gums to wear away. Using too much force can also cause
gums to recede over time. As the gums recede, the roots of the teeth are
exposed. This may cause the teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
In addition, teeth with significant amounts of gum recession are more prone
to developing root cavities. Periodontists can treat recession by taking
gum tissue from one part of your mouth and moving it to the area where the
gums have receded. This is known as a soft
tissue graft.
Treatment of Gum Overgrowth
For some people, the problem isn't too little gum tissue, but too much. Some
people have what is known as a "gummy smile," in which the teeth
look very small and the gums seem very large. Also, some medications, such
as phenytoin (Dilantin and other brand names), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
and nifedipine (Adalat, Cardizem), can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue.
Periodontists can remove excess gum tissue through a procedure known as gingivectomy.
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