Periodontal Treatment at Our Chicago and Oak Lawn, Illinois Offices

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects nearly 200 million Americans. It is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, and has even been linked to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Fortunately, periodontal disease can usually be treated and prevented. The Dental Implant Associates – Cosmetic Dentistry Centers provide preventative care as well as advanced periodontal treatment at our offices in Chicago and Oak Lawn, Illinois. We also work to educate our patients on the importance of consistent, daily oral hygiene.

Please contact The Dental Implant Associates – Cosmetic Dentistry Centers today to learn more about periodontal disease and treatment from our dentists in Oak Lawn and Chicago, Illinois.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Definition and Symptoms

The mouth is home to hundreds of bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, these bacteria constantly produce plaque – a sticky, film-like substance that can cover your teeth and accumulate in pockets along the gum line. When plaque begins to build up in the mouth, and bacteria invade the soft tissue, periodontal disease results. The most common – and least dangerous – form of gum disease is gingivitis. The majority of people will experience gingivitis at least once in their lifetime. With early treatment, gingivitis can be effectively stopped. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can develop into a more serious condition. Periodontal diseases can also be caused by certain health problems, such as diabetes, so even minor symptoms of gum disease should not go unchecked.

The most common symptoms of gum disease include:

Red, irritated gums
Gums that bleed easily, especially when brushing
Chronic bad breath
Increased space between the gums and the teeth
Alteration in the way teeth come together when you bite
Loss or separation of permanent teeth

If you have any of these symptoms, please contact The Dental Implant Associates – Cosmetic Dentistry Centers to discuss the periodontal treatment available at our Chicago and Oak Lawn, Illinois offices.

Non-surgical Periodontal Treatments

The treatment of gum disease depends upon the severity of the problem. The first stage of periodontal care is a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing. The goal of scaling and root planing is to diminish the pockets of bacteria in the mouth and help the gum tissue heal. During this procedure, the dentist performs a deep cleaning of the teeth and root tissue to remove plaque and tarter. After treatment, the dentist might prescribe a special medication or mouth rinse to aid the healing process and prevent the infection from worsening.

Surgical Periodontal Treatments

If infection continues to damage the gums and supportive bone tissue, the dentist will recommend surgery to prevent tooth loss or other complications. The four most common surgeries for treating gum disease are soft tissue grafting, bone grafting, pocket reduction, and crown lengthening.

Soft tissue and bone grafting procedures can be used to prevent further bone loss and gum line recession. During these surgeries, the periodontist must first remove the disease-causing bacteria. Uninfected gum tissue (taken from the palate or other donor source) or bone tissue is then transferred to the infected area to promote the regeneration of new, healthy tissues. Soft tissue grafts are especially useful when a patient’s gum line has significantly receded from its natural position, exposing the tooth root.

Pocket reduction allows the periodontist to eliminate the harmful bacteria. During this procedure, the gum tissue is folded back to expose the pocket. The periodontist removes the bacteria and then reattaches the gums in a way that diminishes the size of the pocket. Although removing the bacteria alone cannot always put a stop to periodontal disease, it can prevent the infection from getting worse.

Finally, crown lengthening is a procedure in which the periodontist removes excess gum tissue to expose more of the teeth. This treatment often produces excellent aesthetic results, and it can be particularly useful when the dentist is unable to clean out plaque pockets hidden beneath the gums.

Please contact The Dental Implant Associates – Cosmetic Dentistry Centers for more information about gum disease prevention and periodontal treatment from our Oak Lawn and Chicago, Illinois dentists.

Driving Directions

Our patients often drive from near by cities to seek the expertise of our dentists. For your convenience, we have provided directions to our office from the following locations: