Gum Disease Treatment Plano
Giving Your Gums a Chance for Better Health
Did you know that roughly 50% of American adults have gum disease? When detected early, the infection can be treated; however, when allowed to progress, the result can be significantly more serious (i.e., heart disease, diabetes, tooth loss, jawbone resorption, etc.). That’s why it’s so important to reach out to us if any abnormal symptoms arise, like bleeding when you floss! Our team at Antoon Family Dental is here to improve your gum health using only the best gum disease treatment techniques in Plano.
Why Choose Antoon Family Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Laser Dentistry Used for Improved Comfort
- Sedation Dental Options Available
- Your Dental Insurance Benefits Maximized
What is Gum Disease?
As you may already know, gum disease is an infection that’s usually caused by poor dental hygiene. What you may not know, however, is that there are two types: gingivitis and periodontitis. While the former can be treated with the help of a skilled dentist, the latter can only be managed. For this reason, we strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with us when you first suspect that something is wrong.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
There are several abnormal symptoms we recommend keeping an eye out for, including tenderness, swelling, and bleeding when you floss. If these or any other warning signs of dental trouble arise, call us right away to schedule an appointment. That way, Dr. Antoon can complete a comprehensive oral exam and determine if gum disease is the culprit.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
At our Plano dental office, we offer three interventions: scaling and root planing, laser periodontal treatment, and the Chao Pinhole Technique. You can learn a little more about each below, but don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re ready to schedule an appointment. At your visit, we will take a look at your gums, determine if an infection is present, and, if that’s the case, share our recommendation on how to proceed.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical type of gum disease treatment that consists of a deep cleaning of the mouth to remove plaque and bacteria from above and below the gumline. Additionally, we smooth out the roots of the teeth to reduce the probability of reinfection.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
Typically, this treatment would be recommended if your gum disease has progressed beyond the initial stages of gingivitis. This is often required when symptoms cannot be reversed with standard cleanings and proper at-home oral habits. Here are some signs that you could benefit from scaling and root planing:
- Pockets between your gums and teeth
- Red, swollen gums that bleed easily
- Persistent bad breath
- Painful gums
- Receding gums
- Highly sensitive teeth
Our team can evaluate your condition and determine for sure whether scaling and root planing would be a suitable treatment for your unique case.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a form of gum disease treatment that involves removing accumulated plaque and tartar and encouraging proper reattachment of the gums to the tooth.
During the scaling portion of the procedure, we remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth, both above and below the gumline. During root planing, we smooth out the roots of the teeth to make it more difficult for bacteria to cling to them. After your treatment, the gums will be given the chance to heal, and open pockets between the gums and teeth should close up.
Depending on the extent of your gum disease, scaling and root planing may require one or more appointments.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing can be an intensive treatment, and your gums might be sore for a few weeks afterward. Here are some tips to help you enjoy a smooth recovery:
- Be very gentle when you are carrying out your oral hygiene routine.
- Avoid foods that could exacerbate sensitivity, such as hot, spicy, or acidic items. A mild, cool diet may be best.
- Regularly rinse your mouth with warm salt water to soothe inflammation.
- Contact our team if you have questions or concerns as you heal.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
Using a comfortable soft-tissue laser, Dr. Antoon can instantly vaporize periodontal tissue that has become damaged due to gum disease. This device uses a beam of concentrated light to provide more precise results than a scalpel and even eliminates the need for sutures in most cases. This translates to a more comfortable treatment and recovery, as well as a lower risk of developing a secondary infection during the healing process.
How Laser Periodontal Treatment Works
Laser gum disease treatment is typically done as part of a series of procedures designed to restore the gums throughout the different stages of gum disease. It is ideal for both reducing inflammation and stopping oral infection from spreading through the mouth and body.
By using a soft tissue laser, Dr. Antoon can quickly and comfortably remove your severely damaged gum tissue and reduce the bacteria present in your mouth faster than with traditional scalpel-based surgery, also helping prevent further infection while you heal.
During your procedure, he will carefully remove the damaged tissue from around your teeth, leaving behind only healthy tissue. Over the next few weeks, the remaining tissue should reattach to the teeth, protecting their delicate roots and preventing future damage.
Following laser treatment, you may benefit from another procedure called scaling and root planing, where Dr. Antoon and the team will remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth, giving the periodontal tissue a healthier surface to reattach to as it heals.
The Benefits of Laser Periodontal Treatment
Although treatment with a scalpel is still an extremely safe and effective way to remove damaged periodontal tissue, using a soft-tissue laser provides some incredible benefits, over this method, including:
- The soft-tissue laser is much less invasive (and much more comfortable) than a scalpel.
- Because it vaporizes bacteria on contact, the soft tissue laser can help prevent new gum infections from developing.
- Because the soft-tissue laser cauterizes on contact, there’s rarely a need for sutures or stitches.
- Studies have shown that treatment with a soft-tissue laser frequently results in a more comfortable healing process and even reduces bleeding and inflammation post-procedure.
- Cauterization from the laser greatly reduces the risk of developing a post-secondary infection.
- The concentrated light beam emitted by the soft tissue laser is more precise than a scalpel, meaning Dr. Antoon can specifically target just the damaged tissue and leave more of your healthy tissue intact.
- Because it kills bacteria as it works, the soft-tissue laser can even reduce your risk of developing future infections!
Aftercare Tips for Laser Periodontal Treatment
Recovering from laser gum disease treatment is a relatively fast process. In fact, many patients feel back to normal in about a week. Conversely, healing from scalpel-based surgery can take between two and four weeks!
While you recover, it is normal to experience some slight swelling or sensitivity in the gums. Many patients find that over-the-counter pain relievers are all they need to remain comfortable during this time.
Be sure to maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine going forward. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. To keep your mouth comfortable, temporarily avoid foods that may be hot, spicy, excessively cold, or acidic until healing is complete.
Be sure to visit Dr. Antoon for your scheduled follow-up appointment(s).
If you experience any weird or painful side effects that aren’t mentioned here, or if your pain worsens instead of improving, please contact Dr. Antoon for further guidance.
Chao Pinhole Technique
When gum recession occurs as a result of advanced gum disease, this minimally invasive procedure can be used to position your soft oral tissues in their appropriate place. Dr. Antoon will create a small hole and loosen the gum tissue before gently moving it back into position so that it effectively covers the exposed tooth root and forms a more even gumline.