OUR SERVICES

Periodontal Care/Therapy

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease occurs in the surrounding areas of the teeth, such as the gums and in the structures below the gums, where ligaments, bone and connective tissue are located. The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up on the gums over time which then produces toxins that cause inflammation and irritation of the gums.

Factors that can increase your risk for gingivitis include smoking, poor dental hygiene, stress, hormonal changes, medicines, chronic illnesses or poor nutrition. Signs of gingivitis include bad breath, inflamed or sensitive gums, bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity or loose teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance to a more severe stage, which can destroy the tissue around your teeth as well as the bone that is holding your teeth in place. This elevated level of periodontal disease often occurs without pain, thus flying under the radar. This is why it is important to practice proper dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly so they can monitor signs of gingivitis and periodontitis.

What is periodontal care?

At Monfredi Family Dental, we offer multiple types of care related to periodontal disease. One method we use involves Arestin, which is an antibiotic treatment that is inserted directly into the diseased pockets in your mouth after your teeth have been cleaned. Arestin fights the disease where it starts, in your periodontal structures. We can also use bone grafting to strengthen the jaw bone that has been weakened by periodontal disease.

Another method of treatment is called periodontal splinting and is used when a tooth has become loose as a result of periodontal disease. In this process, Dr. Monfredi will brace the loose tooth by adjoining it to the surrounding stale teeth, creating a splint to support the loose tooth. This method has gained popularity due to its high success rate. Finally, we can use scaling and root planing to deep clean your mouth, removing any excess plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums, and treat the early stages of gingivitis. Your mouth may be tender or sore following this procedure, but over-the-counter pain medicine can alleviate the pain which should subside in a few days.