Gum disease refers to inflammation of the soft tissue (gingiva) and abnormal loss of bone that surrounds the teeth and holds them in place. Gum disease is the second most common cause of toothache.
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria.
Some bacteria in plaque are harmless, but some are harmful for the health of your gums. If you don’t remove plaque from your teeth by brushing them, it builds up and irritates your gums. This can lead to redness with bleeding, swelling and soreness.
Early symptoms of gum disease include gum bleeding without pain. Pain is a symptom of more advanced gum disease as the loss of bone around the teeth leads to the formation of gum pockets. Bacteria in these pockets cause gum infection, swelling, pain, and further bone destruction. Advanced gum disease can cause loss of otherwise healthy teeth.
Treatment of early gum disease involves oral hygiene and removal of bacterial plaque. Moderate to advanced gum disease usually requires a thorough cleaning of the teeth and teeth roots called “root planing” and “subgingival curettage.” Root planing is the removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from exposed teeth roots while subgingival curettage refers to the removal of the surface of the inflamed layer of gum tissue. Both of these procedures are usually performed under local anesthesia and may be accompanied by the use of oral antibiotics to overcome gum infection or abscess. Follow-up gum treatment may include various types of gum surgeries. In advanced gum disease with significant bone destruction and loosening of teeth, teeth splinting or teeth extractions may be necessary.
It is a progressive inflammatory disease of the gums and the surrounding tissue around the teeth. It is commonly known as gum disease and was referred to as pyorrhea in the old days. It is estimated that up to 80% of the population above the age of 40 may suffer from this disease with the severity varying drastically from one person to another. Periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss after the age of 40.
Certain medical conditions or medications can make you more susceptible to gum disease. They include pregnancy, diabetes, epilepsy, and such medications as chemotherapy, birth control pills, antidepressants, and those for heart problems.
They are :
If you have untreated gum disease that develops into periodontitis, it can lead to further complications, such as:
Mild cases of gum disease can usually be treated by maintaining a good level of oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. You should also make sure you attend regular dental check-ups.
In most cases, your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to give your teeth a thorough clean and remove any hardened plaque (tartar). They’ll also be able to show you how to clean your teeth effectively to help prevent plaque building up in the future.
If you have severe gum disease, you’ll usually need to have further medical and dental treatment and, in some cases, surgery may need to be carried out. This will usually be performed by a specialist in gum problems (periodontics).
When gum is inflamed severely (periodontitis), alveolar bone will be absorbed, and defected. Periodontal ligaments which connect between the alveolar bone and the teeth will disappear. Sever bone lose will cause tooth moving and missing. Flap and bone surgery is order to contour the bone, deeply clean the tooth to reduce the inflammation, and promote bone re-growing and connections firm.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gum line used to treat gum disease.
Why Do I Need It ?
Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but if they aren’t cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss.
If gum disease is caught early and hasn’t damaged the structures below the gum line, a professional cleaning should do. If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, however, scaling and root planing may be needed.
Gingivectomy is a dental procedure in which a dentist or oral surgeon cuts away part of the gums in the mouth (the gingiva).
By removing the pocket wall, gingivectomy provides visibility and accessibility for complete calculus removal and thorough smoothing of the roots, creating a favorable environment for gingival healing and restoration of a physiologic gingival contour.
GINGIVOPLASTY is the surgical reshaping of gum tissue around the teeth. It is often is done simply to make gums look better.
In cases of long standing gum infection, the tissues inside the gums absorb bacterial toxins and become diseased. In these cases, following anaesthesia, the diseased gums are scraped away from the inside, thus restoring the health of the gums.
Good dental care at home is essential to help keep gum disease from becoming more serious or recurring.
LASERS have numerous applications in dentistry. Few of them are:
Laser procedures are divided into hard tissue and soft tissue procedures. Hard tissue procedures involving the tooth structure whereas soft tissue procedures for periodontal treatment.
Since 1990 LASERS are being used extensively in dentistry. LASERS are very comfortable when compared to the conventional dental drill/Surgical blade. It is a painless procedure and there is very minimal need of Local anesthesia. In patients who are uncomfortable with dental drill/surgical blade, LASER treatment is the best option which reduces anxiety in those patients. Bleeding and swelling are also very minimal. Treatment with LASERS is safe and effective. A wide range of dental procedures can be done with LASER and are often used along with other instruments. It is a FDA approved procedure.
LASER gum surgery is painless and there will be no significant impact on the patients. Patients can return to work from very next day. Patients can manage with any discomfort just with the simple pain medication given.
In patients with serious medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease also, LASER gum surgery is the treatment of choice. Patients who are on medication and cannot be treated by conventional procedures can be treated by LASER. Bleeding is minimal and bacterial infection is much minimized in LASER treatment procedures. The clotting and sterilizing properties of LASER are good.
Key differences between traditional gum surgery and LASER gum surgery are
Dental Lasers | Conventional Surgery | |
Pain | Very minimal | Need NSAIDs |
Bleeding | Very minimal | Present |
Inflammation | Very minimal | Present |
Healing | Excellent | Good |
Gum Recession | Very minimal | Present over long term |
Long term results | Excellent tissue regeneration | Relatively less |
Other medications | No need to stop medications | Sometimes requires to stop other medications |
Cutting and stitching | Not required | Needs cutting and stitching |
LASER gum surgery is definitely more expensive than the traditional treatment because of cost of the equipment incurred. However the benefits of LASER therapy outweigh the cost as there are many advantages such as minimal pain, minimal bleeding and minimal inflammation and quick healing. Higher rate of patient satisfaction is seen in LASER gum treatment. It is safest possible gum treatment in some patients.
LASER gum therapy is performed in one long session of 2-3 hours in many cases, to treat the periodontal disease. It can also be done in two sessions, with one week apart each taking about 1-1/2hours.
The action of LASER is quick, bacteria or tissues can be removed in few minutes. Depending on the severity of gum disease and size and number of areas treated, gum therapy requires single or several visits.
LASER produces a very narrow, intense beam of light. LASER work by delivering energy in the form of highly concentrated beam of light and heat. It works as infrared light is easily absorbed by water and gum tissues contain more water content. It acts as a cutting instrument & it also acts as vaporizer by causing a reaction when kept in contact with the tissue.
Benefits of LASERS
Bacterial Plaque is the main cause of Gum Disease. A sticky, colorless film of Bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth is called Plaque or bacterial Plaque.Many Bacteria which are present in this Plaque are harmless, but some Bacteria are harmful and are the cause for Gum Disease. If Plaque is not removed it hardens, which is called Calculus (tartar). Brushing and flossing cannot remove Calculus. The supporting tissues and bone around the teeth are destroyed by the Bacteria in the Plaque. The Gums around the tooth become swollen and moves away from tooth forming pockets. As Disease progresses, more Gum and bone tissue is destroyed and teeth become loose, which eventually exfoliate.
The stages of Gum Diseases are:
Bleeding of Gums is the sign for Gum Disease. As there is no pain in Gingivitis or Periodontitis, you will not be aware of Disease
Treatments for Gum Diseases: Gum Diseases can be treated in two ways:
Health of your mouth certainly affects the health of your whole body. There is a strong association between Gum Disease and heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Bacteria from Gums enter blood stream and settle in the coronary arteries thus causing heart diseases.
“Without Periodontal health, you can’t have good general health”
Respiratory Infections
Severe Osteopenia
Preterm or low birth weight babies
Stroke
Heart disease
Uncontrolled Diabetes
Habits to be cultivated as daily routine to prevent Gum Disease
Withpatients’ vigilance and good oral hygiene practices you can prevent the return of Periodontal diseases. Maintenance therapy is important.
When excessive gingival tissue is covering the anatomical crown of tooth causing Gummy smile, Gingival surgery (Gingivoplasty) is done. The Gingival margin is positioned apically without exposing the root surface. A new surgical technique involves both Gingivalrecontouring and traction and containment surgery of elevator muscle of upper lip and wing of nose (EMULWN)
REDUCES
The excess movement of a hyperactive upper lip muscle
REATTACHES
The lip closer towards the teeth
DOES NOT
Require hospitalization and can be performed under local anesthetic
EXPOSES
More of the tooth through the reshaping of bone and Gum tissue
CAN BE
Done on one or more teeth, or the entire Gum line
NORMALLY
Only require local anesthetic to reshape targeted areas
INDICATED
When there is abnormal upper jaw growth Pattern
RELAPSES
Very minimal
REQUIRE
General Anesthesia
Myth – 1
Myth – 2
jayasree dara2024-12-25 Dr. Mohan is very friendly and supportive during the treatment, i’m happy and satisfied the way he treated my kid. Thank you for your suggestions and guidance😀I strongly recommend this clinic for dental treatment!!! Hari Priyanka2024-12-21 Every doctor treats the problem but taking care of very minor issues and suggesting the best is glad for us Bheemesh Thummalapalli2024-12-21 Overall Treatment and experience is good, Feeling good after I had my crowns. It gives new look to me. The staff will give good guidance or any suggestions for better understanding. vamsi krishna puppala2024-12-19 Planning to have a smile designing from a long time, finally had it. Thanks to Dr Mohan for making it happen. Highly recommended . Sindu Nerati2024-12-18 My teeth alignment went so good with less pain doctor took atmost care while treating me staff also great Thankyou dr mohan Keerthi Reddy2024-12-17 Treated by Dr Rekha. Painless procedure and very good ambience along with the best care.Load more
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