Periodontics
The Ocean Dental team is made up of a number of specialists in a wide range of dentistry fields. As part of our general dentistry services, our dentists are always on the lookout for signs of problems and potential problems, and if they encounter something in a patient that requires further treatment they will likely refer them to a specialist on the team.
One of these specialities is periodontology. Periodontology is the speciality that diagnoses and treats periodontal disease, or conditions that affect the structure around the teeth like the gums. Periodontitis is a much more advanced form of gum diseases, after gingivitis, and requires specialist treatment to avoid significant damage to the supporting structure of the teeth.
What are the symptoms of periodontitis?
Your dentist will advise you if you need to be referred to a periodontal specialist. But generally, symptoms of periodontitis can include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Gums that are sensitive and red
- Constant bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Detachment of gums from the teeth
If periodontitis goes untreated it could lead to the loss of one or several teeth, weakening the structure of the mouth entirely.
What is a periodontal specialist?
If your dentist decides that your periodontitis – or signs of potential periodontitis – is severe enough then they will refer you to Ocean Dental’s periodontal specialist.
This is a dentist who has trained specifically in periodontology, working for years beyond their standard dental qualifications to become a leader in the field.
What is the treatment for periodontitis?
The treatment with the periodontal specialist generally begins with thorough cleaning of the mouth and gums to remove a buildup of plaque. In severe cases this can be done under local anaesthesia.
Going one step further, if the specialist deems it necessary, follow-up treatments may involve soft tissue grafts, bone tissue grafts, pocket reduction therapy, and other surgical and non-surgical treatments. Every patient is examined on a case by case basis and these treatments may or may not be needed. The periodontal specialist will make that decision.
Rest assured that when it comes to periodontal treatment, you are in good hands. The team at Ocean Dental is a highly trained group of professionals regularly utilising treatments at the cutting edge of dental technology.
If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned you may need the attention of a periodontal specialist. Call our Fallowfield practice on 0161 224 7135 or 0161 660 0200 to speak to our City Centre team and get started today.
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What happens during treatment?
Non-surgical treatments
At Ocean Dental we always aim to restore your periodontal health in the least invasive and most cost-effective way possible. For milder cases, we can offer non-surgical gum treatment. Treatment types include deep scaling to remove plaque and root surface debridement. This cleans the root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets and enable the gums to reattach themselves to the teeth. You may also need a course of antibiotics.
After your initial non-surgical treatment, you may find your teeth are more sensitive for a few weeks, but we can treat this if necessary. As your gums heal, they may recede to a healthier state. To keep your teeth and gums healthy in the long term we recommend you see our dental hygienist regularly.
Periodontal Surgery
If periodontal disease has destroyed a lot of your supporting tissue and bone, the affected teeth will need to be removed. However, our in-house periodontist may be able to reverse some of this damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue using various surgical techniques and biomaterials. This procedure involves folding back the gum tissue and removing the bacteria. We can then use membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins to encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
Surgical treatment for periodontal disease will help to reduce pocket depth and repair the damage caused by gum disease. Afterwards, you can help maintain the improvement with good oral hygiene and regular appointments with our hygienist. This will also reduce your chances of developing serious health problems associated with advanced periodontal disease.
If you’re worried about your teeth and gums then book a check-up today. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Call 0161 660 0200 or email: hello@odental.co.uk.
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