Periodontal Therapy in Columbia, MD
Veneers on front upper teeth
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.
FAQs
If your gums bleed often, it may be related to inflammation or gum disease and is worth having checked by a dentist. Periodontal therapy can address plaque and tartar below the gumline when deeper gum disease is present. An examination can determine the cause of the bleeding and the appropriate treatment.
Constant bad breath can sometimes be associated with plaque buildup and gum disease. Treating underlying periodontal disease and improving daily plaque control may help address an oral source of chronic bad breath. Your dentist can evaluate your gums to determine whether periodontal treatment is appropriate.
Some tenderness, gum sensitivity, or tooth sensitivity can occur after scaling and root planing. To help minimize discomfort, the area may be numbed with local anesthesia before treatment. Sensitivity afterward often settles gradually. Your dentist can provide specific aftercare instructions based on your treatment.
The appropriate treatment depends on the seriousness and extent of periodontal disease. After nonsurgical therapy, your dentist can reassess your gums and periodontal pocket depths to determine how well they have responded. If periodontal health does not improve sufficiently, additional treatment may be considered.
Treating periodontal disease can help control the condition and protect the tissues that support your teeth. Advanced gum disease can damage supporting bone and contribute to loose teeth, so timely evaluation and appropriate treatment are important. Ongoing periodontal maintenance may also be recommended to help manage the condition.
Our goal is to get the perfect smile option in Columbia, MD and we are proudly accepting new patients across the following areas: