How is Gum Disease Treated?
Richardson, TX
 Gum disease is a very common problem among adults all throughout the country. When it comes to properly treating these issues and getting them under control, there are a number of different options, depending on the severity of the condition. This is where the dental experts here at Dr. Xixi Wu can help in determining what course of therapy would be best in each individual case.
Other factors that go into deciding what course of action might be best for a patient include what stage the disease is in, other contributing health factors, as well as how the patient may have responded to other prior forms of treatment. Although there are a variety of possible methods of therapy, there are two basic types; surgical and non-surgical.
Non-Surgical Therapies
A regular cleaning from a qualified dental professional is the first step in treating and reversing early stage gum disease, as well as also being part of a preventative process that involves the patient’s entire home care and dental visitation routine. A typical checkup and cleaning usually consists of our dentist or hygienist removing the tartar and any plaque buildup from above the gum line, below the gum line, and on the surface of the teeth.
This can only be done by means of a professional cleaning with the proper dental tools. From there, if there are any signs of gum disease, it may be recommended that the client schedule their regular cleanings more than the standard two times per year. These cleanings are not meant to treat active gum disease, but rather as a means of helping to prevent the development of periodontal conditions.
The next step in treating gum disease comes in the form of scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning, involving much more attention and effort in removing plaque and tartar, as well as other hard debris from the surfaces of the teeth, as well as at and underneath the gum line. It is also a nonsurgical procedure, although it is most times performed while the patient is under a local anesthetic, The scaling is when all of the debris is scraped away and the planing is where the rough spots on the root of the tooth are made smooth. The removal of these rough spots allows for a clean and smooth surface and helps the gums reattach to the teeth.
Surgical Options
There are also several surgical options which are available to patients whose conditions may be more severe, or for those whose previous scaling and root planing has failed to properly address their condition. These include pocket reduction or flap surgery, bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration, or possibly even bone surgery.
If you or someone in your family is in need of treatment for gum disease, or even if you need any other type of dental care, please stop by our clinic office here at Dr. Xixi Wu. If you would like to call first to set up an appointment, simply dial (972) 669-9444 and one of our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you. |
