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Periodontal Therapy

Healthier Gums for a Healthier Body

Woman in dental chair smiling after periodontal therapy

It is not a foregone conclusion that we must lose teeth as we age. If we maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular professional cleanings and oral examinations, it is likely that we can keep our natural teeth for a lifetime. That involves more than just caring for the teeth themselves; we must also pay attention to structures that surround them: the gums and tooth-supporting bone. Gum disease, a type of infection, threatens these supporting tissues. That is why dental professionals are always on the lookout for early signs that patients may not notice. If signs of trouble become apparent in your mouth, we may suggest that you undergo periodontal therapy with our East Hartford, CT dental office team.

Why Choose Comprehensive Dental Associates of Central Connecticut for Periodontal Therapy?

Periodontal Therapy Procedures

Man in dental chair for periodontal therapy

Periodontal therapy can include both surgical and non-surgical treatments to restore health to the gums and bones that support the teeth. We offer the following types of periodontal therapy:

Woman smiling after scaling and root planing

 

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is basically a deep cleaning of the mouth; it is often the best starting point to control gum disease. During the procedure, we remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from below and above the gum line, using hand scalers and/or ultrasonic instruments.

Woman smiling after gum grafting

Gum Grafting

In some cases, it is necessary to replace lost gum tissue so that tooth roots are adequately protected. This can be accomplished by taking healthy gum tissue from one area of the mouth and grafting it onto a place where it is needed. It may also be possible to use laboratory-processed donor tissue for this procedure.

Man smiling after periodontal plastic surgery

Periodontal Plastic Surgery.

When used to describe surgery, the word “plastic” refers to any procedure that improves aesthetics. We can reshape the gum tissue to create a more pleasing appearance.

Woman pointing to her smile after periodontal laser treatment

Periodontal Laser Treatment

Using lasers to remove disease gum tissue offers some significant advantages over traditional surgery. For example, lasers reduce both bleeding and gum shrinkage.

Closeup of beautiful smile after crown lengthening surgerhy

Crown Lengthening Surgery

If excess gum or bone tissue cover your teeth, we may need to remove it. This surgical procedure is often carried out for cosmetic reasons (to make the teeth look longer and create a more proportionate smile), or it may be necessary to secure a new dental crown.

Man smiling after dental implant tooth replacement

Dental Implants

If you have lost one or more teeth, you may be eligible for dental implants —today's preferred method of tooth replacement. An implant is placed beneath the gum line and into the jawbone during a minimally invasive surgical. The implant supports a realistic-looking dental crown that is visible above the gum line and is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

Your Role in Periodontal Health

Woman looking at smile after periodontal therapy

Dental plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease; removing plaque every day via effective brushing and flossing is essential. This does not mean you should scrub your teeth and gums, which can actually damage your oral health. If you have any questions about proper oral hygiene techniques, our team will be happy to help.

Of course, there are some areas of the mouth that toothbrushes and floss simply cannot reach, which is why attending regular professional cleanings at the dental office is so important. Your routine dental exam is also a time when we can detect early signs of gum disease — even before they become apparent to you.

Eating a nutritious low-sugar diet, and avoiding any type of tobacco use, will also promote your periodontal health — and increase your chances of keeping your teeth for life.

Understanding Gum (Periodontal) Disease

Closeup of healthy smile

Most people do not think much of it when their gums bleeding during brushing and flossing. However, this commonly overlooked issue is actually an early indicator of gum disease.

The Link Between Heart & Gum Diseases

Woman in dental chair talking to dentist

Inflammation is one of the key factors in cardiovascular disease (CVD), which commonly leads to heart attacks and strokes. While the precise role of inflammation plays in chronic CVD remains an area of ongoing investigation, we know much more now than we did in the past. Based on current research, we know that if we can fight the inflammation caused by gum disease, we may reduce the risk for heart attacks and strokes.

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