Periodontal Treatment in Vienna, VA
If you are looking for a knowledgeable dentist specializing in periodontal treatment, Dr. Diane Pham can help you! Contact Capital Esthetics and Family Dentistry today at 703-225-0040.
What is periodontics?
Periodontics is the study of periodontal disease and treatment. Periodontal disease (also called periodontitis) is an inflammatory disease that affects the gums, bones, and other structures around your teeth.
The periodontal treatment we offer at Capital Esthetics and Family Dentistry can save your teeth and your gums. We are periodontal disease specialists and use the latest treatment techniques to diagnose and treat periodontitis to protect your teeth.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until advanced. However, these are some of the warning signs of gum disease:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums or other pain
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores or abscesses in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Reasons for Periodontal Treatment
Periodontitis is a progressive condition that begins with gingivitis. Gingivitis is a minor infection of the gums. It first presents with inflammation, irritation, and some gums bleeding. With periodontitis, this infection progressively worsens with increased inflammation, tissue destruction, bone loss around the teeth, and abscesses.
There are several reasons why periodontal treatment may be necessary:
- Moderate/advanced gum disease – The gums will be bleeding, swollen, or red around most teeth, and the jawbone has begun to recede.
- Localized gum recession – Gum disease often begins in one area. Immediate treatment is required to prevent further spreading.
- Before crown lengthening – The periodontist may lengthen the tooth’s crown by removing the surrounding soft tissue to provide more tooth exposure.
- Ridge augmentation – This procedure, often called recontouring, may be required to correct an uneven gum line. Before starting treatment, a periodontist needs to treat any bacterial infections and periodontitis.
Even with mild to moderate gum disease, Dr. Pham’s main priority is curing the underlying disease and providing the best advice on at-home oral hygiene methods.
Advanced periodontal disease will require more in-depth treatments. Dr. Pham will decide your treatment plan based on the stage of periodontal disease.
Periodontal Treatment Options
Dr. Pham provides periodontal treatment such as periodontal root planing (also called deep cleaning) and periodontal surgery.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Periodontal scaling and root planing involve removing the plaque and tartar accumulated on the tooth’s surface, then smoothing out or planing the tooth surfaces. This allows Dr. Pham to carefully access, clean, and maintain periodontal pockets that may be present in your periodontal disease treatment.
Antibiotic Treatment
Antibiotics can be used in combination with scaling and root planning, surgery, or by themselves based on the stage of periodontitis. Antibiotic treatment comes in several forms, including oral and topical gels that can be directly applied to the gum pockets. Topical antibiotics provide a better advantage than oral antibiotics since they only affect the area applied, whereas oral antibiotics affect the entire body. However, both types of antibiotics have been proven effective for those from any level of periodontal disease. Dr. Pham will incorporate and recommend the necessary antibiotic treatment to heal your periodontal condition.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery is needed when periodontitis has caused bone loss below the gum line or forms periodontal pockets. Before surgery, scaling and root planing are done to eliminate the bacteria and plaque build-up of the affected area. Dr. Pham will remove the periodontal pocket and reshape the gums around the bone during surgery.
Surgical periodontal treatment is performed in our own dental office, and there is no need for referrals to a surgery center.
What happens if you do not receive treatment for gum disease?
Even in the earliest stages, treating gum disease is essential to your dental and overall health. If periodontal disease is left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and other issues such as osteoporosis due to the bone loss periodontal disease causes. Gum disease is also associated with heart & respiratory diseases, diabetes, and low birth weight in pregnancy for mothers.
Treating gum disease can seem like a process, but it is necessary. After receiving treatment, you will need to follow up with Dr. Pham every three months for periodontal maintenance. Maintenance is required to ensure the disease does not return or progress.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you are suffering from bleeding, painful, or irritated gums, you may need periodontal treatment. Visit our dental office in Vienna, VA, and Dr. Pham and our team will help create the right treatment plan for you. Our patient’s health is always our priority. Schedule an appointment with Capital Esthetics and Family Dentistry today at 703-225-0040.