Nearly half of the U.S. population, who are over the age of 30, have the advanced form of periodontal disease, or gum disease. Here's how we can help.
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What is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease is a huge problem in the US, and it often goes untreated. We take periodontal treatment very seriously at Amato Dentistry and will always assess and educate you about your gum health. While the early stages of gingivitis may not be noticeable, later stages can cause serious health and dental problems, including mobility of the teeth and higher risks for heart attacks and strokes.
Did you know…
When caught early, gingivitis can be treatable and reversible.
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Gum Therapy-SRP
Scaling and Root Planing is also known as a “Deep Cleaning.” This procedure is performed to stop periodontal disease from advancing. If periodontal disease is left untreated it can run rampant and do serious damage to your gums, teeth, and overall health. In fact, it can be irreversible at a certain point. This means once we have lost bone around the teeth, we cannot magically grow the bone back. This is why preventive care is very important to us and taken seriously at our office.
StellaLife
StellaLife is a natural, microbiotic product formulated for daily use to hydrate, freshen breath, and promote healthy gums. The rinse supports healing after dental treatment and becomes a part of an oral hygiene routine to moisturize dry mouth and kill bacteria that cause periodontal disease.
Gum Therapy - SRP
Scaling and Root Planing is also known as a “Deep Cleaning.” This procedure is performed to stop periodontal disease from advancing. If periodontal disease is left untreated it can run rampant and do serious damage to your gums, teeth, and overall health. In fact, it can be irreversible at a certain point. This means once we have lost bone around the teeth, we cannot magically grow the bone back. This is why preventive care is very important to us and taken seriously at our office.
Electric toothbrush
Ask your hygienist which electric toothbrush would benefit you the best. We keep a professional line of Oral-B and Sonicare toothbrushes in our office to better our patient’s homecare. We only sell these products at cost because we believe that they are essential in promoting healthy mouths.
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Join Our Perio Membership Plan!
We believe everyone deserves affordable dental care, even patients who require a little extra TLC. By signing up for our periodontal care membership plan, you’ll be giving your smile the high-quality care it deserves and saving money along the way.
The Benefits of Periodontal Care
Restore Your Health
With early intervention, periodontal treatment can reverse the effects of gingivitis and restore your smile to its natural health. Beyond oral care, periodontal disease is linked to broader health issues like heart disease, highlighting the oral-systemic connection. Our specialized approach not only restores your smile but also contributes to your overall well-being by addressing these potential complications.
Prevent Further Damage
Regular periodontal maintenance helps keep your smile healthy and free from the harmful buildup of plaque and bacteria.
Save Money
Periodontal care helps you avoid more costly, invasive procedures such as gum grafts, tooth extractions, and dental implants.
Before & Afters
Gum Therapy
Local Anesthetic
First, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during your treatment. Deep cleanings may cause more sensitivity for patients than regular dental cleanings, but you’ll be comfortable throughout the procedure thanks to our gentle numbing techniques.
Scaling & Root Planing
Next, your doctor will use special tools to “scale” tartar and plaque from between your teeth and below your gum line. The goal is to remove the harmful bacteria that causes gum disease. Then, once your teeth and gums have been cleaned, your dentist will “plane,” or smooth, the roots of your teeth. This process eliminates the pockets and pits that form below the roots of your teeth which harbor harmful bacteria.
Antibiotic Treatment
A healing antibiotic treatment will complete your deep cleaning. Depending on your individual needs, you may receive topical antibiotics that are applied to gums during treatment, an antibiotic rinse that you can use at home, or a prescription antibiotic that will be taken orally.
Perio Maintenance
To ensure the longevity of your results, we emphasize the importance of ongoing perio maintenance. Regular follow-up appointments and personalized care routines are designed to monitor your gum health and prevent the recurrence of periodontal issues.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of gum disease?
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Gum disease is commonly split into three different stages. The first stage is called gingivitis. In this stage, there is usually no permanent damage to your teeth or gums yet. This means your dentist will likely be able to reverse and eliminate gum disease with proper care. Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing, inflamed and discolored gums, and chronic bad breath.
If left to worsen, gingivitis will advance to the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis. This stage of gum disease is unfortunately not reversible, but can be controlled with proper intervention. Symptoms of periodontitis usually include gum recession, increased sensitivity or sore teeth and gums, excessive gum bleeding, and very swollen or puffy gums.
The final stage is advanced periodontitis. In this stage, permanent damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw bone occurs. Common symptoms include pus forming between the teeth and gums, shifting of the teeth, changes in your bite, or the loosening of one or more teeth. Surgical intervention is usually necessary to treat advanced periodontitis. In very severe cases, your teeth may even need to be extracted and replaced with a dental prosthetic like dentures or dental implants.
Gum Therapy - SRP
Scaling and Root Planing is also known as a “Deep Cleaning.” This procedure is performed to stop periodontal disease from advancing. If periodontal disease is left untreated it can run rampant and do serious damage to your gums, teeth, and overall health. In fact, it can be irreversible at a certain point. This means once we have lost bone around the teeth, we cannot magically grow the bone back. This is why preventive care is very important to us and taken seriously at our office.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by large quantities of bacteria flourishing in the mouth. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene. Failing to brush and floss properly allows the bacteria that are present in your mouth to reproduce and form plaque and tartar between your teeth and your gums. Over time, these bacteria begin to attack and infect your gum tissue. Over time, this infection can result in permanent, irreversible damage to your oral health unless you seek out proper treatment.
Some patients are also genetically predisposed to developing gum disease. This is why it is important to discuss with your doctor if there is a history of gum disease in your family. You and your doctor will work together to employ the best at-home care and in-office treatments to protect against it.
Why do I need antibiotics?
Periodontal disease forms when there is inflammation in the gums. This inflammation can lead to infection caused by an abundance of harmful oral bacteria. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics to help kill and control this harmful bacteria, allowing your gums to heal. If you are prescribed antibiotics to help control your periodontal disease, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to a tee to ensure the harmful bacteria is eradicated. If you fail to complete the full prescription of antibiotics, the bacteria could become resistant to subsequent treatments with the medication.
Why can't I have a regular cleaning?
Periodontal Maintenance is the type of routine cleaning that patients with gum disease receive here at our office. This type of cleaning is different than “a regular cleaning.” We target areas of the disease by removing tartar and plaque below the gum line to control the infection. A “Regular Cleaning” is also known as a prophylaxis. They are preventative in nature while a periodontal maintenance cleaning takes care of existing problems with your oral health.
