Periodontics
Chicago Area
 Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a common oral health issue that can have devastating effects on your oral and overall health if it goes untreated. However, it begins barely noticeably, and many people are completely unaware of its presence. What starts as red, swollen gum tissue can progress into gum recession and tooth loss. At Cameo Dental Specialists, we provide periodontal services to restore the health of your mouth and prevent serious issues from developing.
Periodontal Services
What is Periodontics?
Periodontics is the dental specialty that deals with diagnosing and treating issues affecting your gum tissue and the other structures in your mouth that provide support for your teeth. We are highly experienced in diagnosing gum disease and using the latest tools and technologies to treat the disease to restore your oral health.
Gum disease is a common oral health issue that results from a bacterial infection in your mouth. Bacteria cause significant irritation to your gum tissue. This irritation triggers your immune system to send an inflammatory response, which causes your gums to swell. Red, swollen gums are symptoms of the earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis. This stage is the most easily treated, but also the one that often goes ignored.
Without treatment, gum disease only continues to worsen. Swollen gums pull away from your teeth, leading to the formation of periodontal pockets. The pockets begin collecting bacteria, which irritate the gum line. Pockets grow deeper, and the bacteria eventually begin to attack your periodontal ligaments and your jawbone. As this happens, the bone begins to weaken, which causes the teeth to become loose. Ultimately, gum disease can result in tooth loss.
Scaling and root planing is a common treatment for dealing with gum disease. With this treatment, we deep clean your teeth, including the areas below the gum line. Scaling is the cleaning of the areas of your teeth above the gums, including around, and just below the gum line. We use a tool called a scaler to eliminate all buildup from your teeth, including the most stubborn tartar. Root planing is the cleaning of your tooth roots. With this process, we use small, specialized tools to remove plaque and bacteria so that your gums can begin to reattach to the teeth.
Periodontal maintenance is a series of regularly scheduled appointments that are performed when initial gum disease treatment has not yielded the desired results. With periodontal maintenance, we examine your mouth, assessing buildup on your teeth and measuring periodontal pockets. X-rays are also taken to examine your jawbone and the roots of your teeth. After examining your mouth, we then clean your teeth of any new buildup. The frequency of your appointments is determined by the severity of your specific condition. Visits typically range between as often as every two months to as spaced out like every six months.
Gum disease can cause your gums to recede. As periodontal pockets grow deeper, infected tissue begins to die. As your gums recede, more surface area of your teeth becomes exposed. Your teeth appear long and your risk for cavities increases. You may also develop tooth sensitivity as the roots become exposed.
Tissue grafting is a surgical procedure performed to restore a healthy, natural gum line. The tissue is taken from another area of your mouth, usually from the roof, and is transplanted to the affected areas of you your gums. As you heal, the tissues fuse to form a healthier, more aesthetic gum line.
Dental Implants
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. When you suffer tooth loss, it is important to replace those teeth. Dental implants are a modern solution for tooth loss. The treatment uses small titanium posts, which are surgically placed into your jawbone. The posts provide support for your new teeth. As you heal, your bone fuses to the posts, stabilizing them in your jaw, allowing them to keep your new teeth securely in place.
When issues with your periodontal health arise, treatment is needed right away. For more information, and to schedule your appointment, call Cameo Dental Specialists at (630) 425-4488 today. |
