Robert S. Sykes, DDS Dentist Marietta Georgia

Periodontics focuses on issues that affect the gum tissues. Periodontic dentists spend much of their time addressing issues like gum disease. Gum health is closely linked to overall health because according to Healthline, gum disease is linked to health problems like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.

Healthy gums protect your overall health, and they can improve the appearance of your smile. This article will explore a few of the ways that periodontics can help keep your gum tissues healthy.

Popular dental services used in periodontics

Here are a few of the periodontic treatments that help keep the gum tissues healthy.

1. Localized antibiotic treatment

An infection of gum tissues can have many adverse effects, like tissue, tooth, or bone loss. Periodontal treatments can help treat infections like gum disease. Dentists sometimes provide antibiotics to help bring gum infections under control. These treatments are often combined with teeth cleanings for optimal results.

2. Root scaling and planing

Also known as deep cleaning, root scaling and planing is often recommended for people with gum disease. The procedure is a more comprehensive version of a conventional teeth cleaning. It involves using a scaler or ultrasonic tools to remove teeth and plaque from teeth surfaces and roots. The planing portion of the treatment involves polishing teeth roots to make it harder for tartar and plaque deposits to build up on them.

Root scaling and planing is often broken up into multiple appointments to make the recovery process smoother. It involves manipulating gum tissues, so patients should expect to deal with a bit of discomfort for a few days after the treatment.

3. Gum grafting

Periodontal disease leads to gum tissues pulling back from teeth roots, exposing them to acids made by oral bacteria. Teeth roots do not have the luxury of being protected by enamel, like the crowns do. Instead, they are covered by cementum, which is not as acid resistant as enamel. Exposed teeth roots can affect the aesthetics of a smile, and they make teeth more vulnerable to falling out.

Gum grafts typically involve getting donor gum tissues from other parts of the mouth, like the roof of the mouth, and using these tissues to cover up exposed teeth roots. This process can restore the aesthetics of the patient’s smile and protect teeth roots.

4. Bone grafts

Periodontal disease can lead to the bone structures that support teeth being damaged, which means the teeth can become loose or fall out of the mouth. Bone grafts can be performed on patients with gum disease to restore the bone structures that have been damaged. They are also used to thicken the jaws of people who have suffered bone deterioration, so they can be eligible for dental implants. Bone grafts are typically performed using donor materials or synthetic bone tissues that promote the growth of bone tissue in the areas to which they are grafted.

Explore periodontics

Periodontics might be needed if you have gum issues like periodontal disease. Give us a call, or visit our Marietta clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://drsykes.com or call Robert S. Sykes, DDS at (770) 873-7241 for an appointment in our Marietta office.

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