Periodontics

Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is a common and preventable oral condition that can lead to loss of teeth if you don’t treat it. Ifeanyi Ezunu, DDS, and the experienced periodontics team at City Dental Clinic in Norcross, Georgia, offer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for periodontal diseases for patients of all ages to help inflamed and infected gums heal. If you suspect gum disease or are overdue for your dental exam, don’t wait. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

 

What is periodontics?
 

Periodontics focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Periodontics treatments may include cleaning the teeth and roots, treating infection and inflammation, or placing dental implants to replace lost teeth. The expert team at City Dental Clinic is experienced in the latest treatments for restoring gum health and helping you prevent recurring periodontal problems.

 

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease involves inflammation, pain, and infection in your gums. You may have the start of periodontal disease if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can get worse and lead to tooth loss. The stages of periodontal disease include the early stage, called gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

 

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

As periodontal disease progresses to the more advanced stages, your symptoms also increase. Gum disease starts with puffy and swollen gums, and if left untreated, will progress to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis, which may include the following symptoms:

 

Bleeding gums

Receding gums

Pus around teeth and gums

Bad breath

Difficulty or pain when chewing

A bad taste in your mouth

Gaps developing between your teeth

Loose teeth

Changes in your bite

Many cases of periodontal disease are preventable and a result of poor hygiene.

 

How is periodontal disease treated?

Treatment for periodontal disease depends on the severity of your symptoms. SCity Dental Clinic offers scaling and root planing to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth and gums as well as antibiotic periodontal treatment.

 

Scaling and root planing

A scaling and root planing procedure is a deep cleaning treatment used to eliminate gum disease before it progresses to the later stages. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface, while root planing cleans the roots of teeth, smoothing them to remove bacterial toxins. The goal is to halt the progression of gum disease.

 

Most people receive the procedure comfortably without an anesthetic, but City Dental Clinic offers several anesthetic options if needed. Scaling and root planing may be combined with antibiotic treatment.

 

Antibiotic periodontal treatment

Severe cases of periodontal diseases may require antibiotic periodontal treatment along with scaling and root planing. An antibiotic is placed directly on infected areas of your mouth to fight bacteria and restore oral health. Common antibiotics used include:

 

ARESTIN®

PerioChip®

ATRIDOX®

Actisite®

Elyzol®.

The team customizes treatment plans that help you eliminate the infection and stop the progression of periodontal disease.

 

If you experience any of the symptoms of periodontal disease, call the office or book an appointment online with City Dental Clinic for an exam.