My teeth were starting to deteriorate, and I was running out of options to repair them. The dentist gave me a choice. I could wait until the bone loss was so bad that I would have to have my teeth removed and get dentures, or I could have them removed now and get dental implants. I opted for the implants. If you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions. I love mine, but they took some getting used to. In this blog, I’m sharing my experience and all the information that I picked up throughout my implant experience. You can find out what the procedure entails, how to prepare for your implants, and how to care for them once they’re in.
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Proper oral hygiene is crucial to the health of your teeth. When you fail to keep teeth clean, the resulting bacteria can wreak havoc and cause problems such as periodontal disease. If you have periodontal disease, it's necessary that you see your dentist for evaluation and treatment to avoid further damage to your teeth and the structures that support your teeth.
How Periodontal Disease Occurs
When plaque, which contains bacteria, is not removed from your teeth, it hardens on the teeth and forms what is known as tartar. Unfortunately, tartar is not removed by daily brushing; only your dentist can remove tartar through special cleaning. If plaque and tartar are not removed, the bacteria can cause gingivitis, which is the gateway to periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is characterized by red, swollen gums that tend to bleed when brushing. This is because the bacteria irritate the gums and cause inflammation. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that you can reverse by taking the proper steps to brush and floss daily. Unfortunately, when gingivitis goes untreated, it can advanced to periodontal disease, which occurs when the bacteria spread. It causes pockets in your gums to become infected and can result in damage, or loss of bone.
Scaling and Root Planing
One of the first steps in the treatment of periodontal disease is tartar removal. Your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove the calcified deposits that make up tartar and remove any other bacteria that have attached themselves to your teeth and their roots. The procedure to remove tartar is called scaling and root planing.
If you have a mild case of periodontitis, tartar removal may be enough to allow your gum tissue to heal. Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment for a few weeks following the scaling and root planing to evaluate how well the tartar removal has helped and determine whether you need further treatment.
Surgical Therapy
If your periodontitis fails to respond to non-surgical approaches, such as scaling and root planing, your doctor may recommend surgical therapy. Your dentist will use surgical instruments to remove gum pockets where bacteria have spread. This can help you regenerate healthy gum tissue. Depending on how advanced your periodontitis is, he or she may also need to replace teeth with dental implants and apply gum grafts. This involves removing tissue from the roof of the mouth and using it to cover the roots of your teeth.
Maintenance
Following successful periodontal therapy, it's crucial to keep your teeth clean to prevent recurrence. Your dentist will spend some time with you going over an oral hygiene plan. This usually includes brushing at least twice daily and flossing between your teeth to remove any food that may get stuck. He or she may also recommend that you use a prescription strength anti-microbial mouthwash to ensure that you are eliminating bacteria in harder to reach places.
For more information, speak to a dentist like those at Four Corners Dental Group Fairbanks.
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