Periodontal Therapy in Columbia, MD

At Model Dental Clinic in Columbia, we understand that practicing proper oral hygiene at home is difficult. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), over half of the population currently has gum disease from improper brushing, flossing, or just general irritation caused by how the teeth fit in the mouth.

We don’t judge. However, we do offer comprehensive, personalized periodontal treatment to help you heal and get back to optimal oral health and wellness.

The Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

The simplest way to determine whether or not you have gum disease is to visit our office for an exam and cleaning. Our skilled dentists can tell not only whether you are currently experiencing periodontal problems, but also what stage the disease is at. However, there are also signs that you can notice at home. Patients who have periodontal disease often experience several of the following symptoms:

• Inflamed or swollen gums
• Gums that are red, white, or purple
• Receding gums that make the teeth look long
• Bleeding when brushing teeth or flossing
• Persistent halitosis
• Loose teeth
• A metallic taste in the mouth

Available Treatment

A common fear patients have about periodontal treatment is that the procedures will hurt. Here at our family dentistry in Columbia, MD, we focus on patient comfort and thus offer a variety of options to help facilitate relaxation. For example, our dentist can use a localized anesthetic to numb the gums, or the patient can request sedation.

At present, the dental field offers several different treatments based on the stage of periodontal disease the patient is experiencing. Individuals with mild gingivitis can often reverse the disease with a professional cleaning and proper oral hygiene at home.

Patients with more severe periodontal disease might need scaling and root planing, the use of antibiotics, or even surgery on the gums to reduce flaps. All of these treatments focus on eliminating harmful bacteria and can be done in our state-of-the-art office.

For more information, please contact us today. We are happy to set up an appointment and answer any questions you might have about treatment.