Periodontal Disease Treatment

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Westborough

Good oral hygiene involves taking care of not only your teeth, but your gums as well. Not brushing or flossing on a daily basis can cause teeth to decay. This can lead to an infection called periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease.

Gum disease is a serious issue that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. It can affect your general health as well and cause chronic and even life-threatening medical conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

Don’t let this happen to you. If your dentist has diagnosed you with gum disease, make sure you take the appropriate proper steps to protect your health. Periodontal therapy can help. Periodontal therapy includes various treatments that can help restore diseased gum tissues.

If you have periodontal disease, the team at Family Dental Westborough can help you understand your options for treatment. Schedule a consultation by calling our office at (508) 366-7450.

dentist and patient

Health Risks of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease comes with serious health risks that can affect your entire body. That’s why prompt treatment is necessary. If left untreated, your gum disease can cause medical conditions such as the following:

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Head and neck cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Memory loss
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Respiratory problems

If you are pregnant, gum disease can harm your unborn baby as well. It can lead to premature birth and cause your baby to have a low weight at birth.

Periodontal Therapy Procedures

If you have gum disease, periodontal therapy will be used to restore the health of your teeth, gums and surrounding tissues. Therapy can involve multiple treatment options. They include the following:

  • Scaling and Root Planing. Scaling and root planing are the first steps to healthier teeth and gums. These two procedures are done in tandem to remove plaque and tartar from your mouth and truly deep clean your gums and teeth. Various tools are used to accomplish this.
  • Crown Lengthening Surgery. Crown lengthening is used when a patient has a gummy smile. This surgery exposes more of the white portion of the tooth. If a crown is needed on a damaged tooth, this procedure may be done first.
  • Gum Grafting. Gum grafting is done in instances were patients have lost gum tissue. This is typically done by taking healthy gum tissue from one part of the mouth and placing it in the affected area.
  • Dental Implants. If the gum disease has caused tooth loss, the dental implants may be recommended to replace the missing teeth. The implant involves a screw placed into the jawbone, with a dental crown attached on top of it. This procedure is very effective.

Laser Treatment for Periodontal Disease

Laster treatment is another option for those suffering from periodontal disease. Lasers can be used to remove diseased gum tissue. Laser treatment uses a thin fiber inserted between the gum and the tooth. The energy from the laser is then used to kill the bacteria. It also stimulates the surrounding tissues to promote healing.

Laser treatment offers many benefits, such as the following:

  • Minimal discomfort. No surgery is required, so you won’t have to deal with post-surgical discomfort. Most patients report very little pain.
  • Less inflammation and bleeding. Lasers are precise and better able to target the infection. Healthy tissue is not affected, so the inflammation and bleeding after the procedure is minimal.
  • Quick healing. Laser treatment is minimally invasive. No cutting is involved, allowing you to heal quickly.
  • Increased safety. Traditional gum surgery comes with more risks. Laser treatment is safe for those with chronic health conditions such as HIV and diabetes.
  • You can keep your teeth. Laser surgery is a targeted therapy. The dentist will focus on removing the diseased gum tissue and preventing harm to healthy tissues. This allows you to keep your natural teeth.

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