WHAT DOES A PERIODONTIST DO? PART 1
Sunday, June 24th, 2018[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Here at Trillium Dental in Ottawa, patients often ask our periodontists what they do and how their services can help those with periodontal disease. As it turns out, not many people know the main differences between periodontistry, orthodontics, and general dentistry, which are all very different and equally important jobs in the field of oral health care. Not all dental offices in Canada offer periodontal treatments, however, and we are proud to have a team of highly knowledgeable and experienced periodontists on our staff.
As your local family dentist, it is our job to provide each and every one of our patients with exceptional dental services — including those that involve periodontics. Our periodontic dental services are aimed at preventing periodontal disease in healthy patients, reversing gingivitis before it advances, and treating those with moderate- to late-stage gum disease. In most cases, these periodontal treatments deal directly with the gums, as this is where periodontal disease begins.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
In order to understand what a periodontist does, it’s important to know what periodontal disease is. In a broad sense, periodontal disease refers to any infection of the gum tissue, which can range from tartar buildup and gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, to periodontitis.
Gum disease attacks the gum tissue, teeth, and surrounding bone structure, causing it to deteriorate over time. Not only that, but oral tissue is also full of blood vessels, which can spread the disease to other parts of the body via the bloodstream when infected gums start to bleed. This puts you at a far greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and several kinds of cancer, including oral and pancreatic.
The good news, however, is that depending on the severity of your condition and the quality of treatment you are receiving, early-stage periodontal disease can be reversed with periodontal treatments. As with any other health condition, preventative measures and early detection are key to mitigating damage before it is too late.
PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS FOR GINGIVITIS
Gingivitis develops as a result of plaque building up and turning into tartar, a calcified form of bacteria that eats away at the teeth and gums if it is not removed at least twice per year with a professional dental cleaning. Those with gingivitis will notice their gums becoming tender and prone to bleeding, as well as separating from the teeth. If you are experiencing these symptoms and think you could be developing gingivitis, we highly recommend that you visit our dental clinic as soon as possible so we can perform gum treatments to get rid of the infection before it becomes more serious.
For patients who are experiencing the discomforting symptoms of early-stage gum disease, our periodontists can perform the following periodontal treatments:
- Root Planing: A non-surgical gum treatment where bacteria and tartar buildup are removed from the gumline using a small tool called a dental scaler. This method is extremely effective at removing destructive, invisible bacteria from the “pockets” that form under the gums as they separate from the teeth, encouraging them to naturally reattach to the smooth, clean surface. Root planing is also performed during routine teeth cleanings as a preventative measure, which is part of the reason why it’s so important to prioritize general dentistry and visit your dentist at least twice per year.
- Lasers: A gum treatment that involves the killing and removal of bacteria and infected gum tissue with precise lasers. Like root planing, laser gum treatments encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth, which are smooth and free of bacteria. This method is less preventative than root planing due to the fact that it targets existing infected areas, but it does help reverse damage and reduce the need for major periodontal surgery later on. It also does not require the use of sedation or local anesthesia, making it a more pleasant experience than many other gum treatments.
VISIT TRILLIUM DENTAL FOR A GUM TREATMENT
Our periodontists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa perform a wide range of gum treatments depending on the severity of their patients’ gum disease, from the non-surgical methods we mentioned in this post to the surgical periodontal treatments we will discuss in part two of this blog series. Stay tuned for more information about what our periodontists do, and request an appointment with us today if you are noticing symptoms of gingivitis.
Family dentistry is our passion, so you can rest assured knowing that the oral health of you and your loved ones is our highest priority. We are here to provide you with the dental care you deserve, from filling cavities and straightening teeth with Invisalign® technology to performing both surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatments. We’ve got you covered, no matter what oral health issue you may be experiencing. Give us a call today to see how our periodontists can help you!
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