What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that causes your gums to become swollen and inflamed. When left untreated, it increases your risk of bone decay, tooth loss, and heart disease.

Periodontal disease occurs due to a build-up of plaque. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that’s always forming on the surface of your teeth.

If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, plaque can harden and turn into tartar. When tartar extends below your gum line, it triggers an infection, which can cause your gums to separate from your teeth.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

Early on, periodontal disease presents few symptoms. As the condition progresses, telltale signs include:

• Red gums
• Swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Pain when chewing
• Bad breath

Periodontal disease can also change the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

What is periodontal treatment?

Periodontal treatment refers to a group of procedures used to address gum disease. Dr. Talerman offers several types of periodontal treatment, including:

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing is the most common type of periodontal treatment. This procedure involves Dr. Talerman carefully removing tartar from the surface of your teeth and below your gum line.

Afterward, he smooths the rough spots on your root surfaces, a process called root planing. Smooth root surfaces allow your gums to reattach to your teeth, preventing further damage.

Antibiotic therapy

If your periodontal disease doesn’t respond to scaling and root planing, you might benefit from antibiotic therapy. During this type of periodontal treatment, you take a daily dose of oral antibiotics. The antibiotics combat the harmful bacteria in your mouth, clearing up areas of infection.

Arestin® therapy for non-surgical periodontics

If you’re at risk of needing a gum graft or flap surgery procedure, Dr. Talerman might recommend Arestin therapy. This type of periodontal treatment involves carefully implanting a series of small microspheres into your gum pockets during a scaling and root planing procedure.

Over time, the microspheres release antibiotic medication into your body. This process reduces pocket depth so your gums can heal quicker than they would with scaling and root planing alone.

Periodontal splinting

If you have two or more loose teeth due to periodontal disease, you might benefit from periodontal splinting. Dr. Talerman uses a fiber ribbon splint to join your teeth together, providing a sturdier base that doesn’t move when you bite or chew. This allows your gum tissue to reattach to your teeth.

What type of periodontal treatment is right for me?

The type of periodontal treatment right for you depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your quality of life. Following a thorough oral exam, Dr. Talerman can develop a custom treatment plan that aligns with your individual needs.

To schedule an appointment for periodontal treatment, call the office of Steven A. Talerman DDS or book a consultation online today.