WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Periodontal disease is the name given to a number of inflammatory diseases of the gums. It is caused by the accumulation of colonies of bacteria around the necks of our teeth forming a sticky film called dental plaque, which constantly forms on our teeth. This bacterial assault causes the gums to fight back with an inflammatory response, to prevent the bacteria invading our bodies via the gums. Whilst this is effective at preventing widespread bacterial infection in our bodies, the plaque can produce toxins that break down the attachment between the gum and the tooth. This leads to loosening of the teeth and eventually tooth loss.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF GUM DISEASE?
All gum diseases are caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
Gum Disease Treatment
We will be able to discuss your treatment options with you at your consultation.
Stabilisation
The Full Mouth Disinfection – This is a technique where all the teeth are root planed (removal of plaque and calculus on the root surface) in one day. In effect your mouth is completely disinfected, there is no chance of re-infection of the clean sites with bacteria from the diseased sites. Often, you will be asked to take a course of oral antibiotics. The antibiotics enhance the disinfecting process and effectively reduce disease activity in very deep pockets and may help with the body’s healing process. Usually the treatment is divided into two sessions in one day; one in the morning and the other in the afternoon and each side of the mouth is treated in turn. You are given a local anaesthetic so that you feel comfortable. The full mouth disinfection is an effective way of reducing disease activity around your mouth. It prevents multiple visits and has reduced the need for periodontal surgery.
Surgery
Imagine being able to repair the foundations around the teeth and grow some bone which has been lost around you teeth. Regenerative periodontal surgery offers you the chance to achieve this. Periodontal surgery is a simple and effective treatment, when it is coupled with a protein that promotes new tooth attachment and bone, the treatment outcome is enhanced.
Maintenance
The foundation of all periodontal therapy is good maintenance. All treatment programmes are followed by long term maintenance regimes with the dentist or hygienist. The maintenance with the hygienist prevents relapse. This can either be carried out at your own practice or at Specialist Dental. Detailed annual reassessments by your Specialist Periodontist are required with charts to ensure that disease activity is monitored and kept under control.
WHAT HAPPENS IF GUM DISEASE IS NOT TREATED?
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do not notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
Periodontal treatment is carried out by our Specialist Periodontist Dr Nada AlNahi who is a registered Specialist with the GDC. All of our Specialist Periodontists use the latest equipment and the highest quality materials to achieve optimum success.
Why Specialist Dental?
Dr Nada Al-Nahi
Clinical Director
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Periodontal treatment is carried out by our Specialist Periodontist Dr Nada AlNahi who is a registered Specialist with the GDC.
All of our Specialist Periodontists use the latest equipment and the highest quality materials to achieve optimum success.
All our Periodontists are dental surgeons, who have undergone formal recognised post-graduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases affecting the supporting structures of the teeth as well as Implant Dentistry. All our Periodontists are recognised Specialists by The General Dental Council (the dental governing body) and are on the dental specialist register. We are able to offer procedures that are generally outside the scope of general dentists and hygienists.
Many general dental practices will be able to diagnose and offer help for periodontal disease at early. Our Periodontists are experts in their field and offer highly successful treatments tailor-made to meet your individual needs and aim to keep you pain free, with the best possible long-term outlook. We will treat you confidentially, cost effectively and in tranquil exquisite surroundings with state-of-the-art equipment and the very latest techniques. Our committed team will keep you fully informed at all times and work with you to select the best choices for the treatment and future management of your periodontal disease.
What happens next?
Once we have your details we can arrange an initial consultation. The Specialist Periodontist will assess the tooth support of all your teeth. They will assess the plaque levels & evaluate the activity and extent of your periodontal disease. Radiographic examination of your teeth will give a picture of the prognosis (life) of your teeth. All findings are discussed with you. We will discuss your treatment options, the number and length of visits required, likely outcome as well as costs involved. We will then draw up a mutually agreed treatment plan. We endeavor always to work closely with you and provide you with the most appropriate advice and treatment tailored to your individual needs for long-term retention and restoration of your teeth and gums. If you have been referred to us, we will send a report back to your dentist.
