Periodontal Disease Treatment for Healthy, Confident Gums
Gum disease is a serious oral condition that affects patients of all ages. Without treatment, gum disease can cause tooth loss and other health complications. Orcutt Family Dentistry takes periodontal care seriously, so we examine your gums every time you come for a dental exam. Dr. Brian Orcutt recommends getting a dental check-up twice yearly to prevent gum disease from affecting your smile.
How gum disease develops
The primary cause of gum disease is dental plaque, which builds up when you fail to brush and floss your teeth properly. Dental plaque contains harmful bacteria that inflame your gums, causing symptoms like gum redness, swelling, and bleeding.
If plaque is allowed to accumulate, it hardens into tartar, a substance that can only be removed by a dentist. Tartar provides an optimal environment for bacteria to flourish, which attack the gingival ligaments and underlying bone. Advanced gum disease can cause gum recession, chronic bad breath, and loose teeth that may eventually fall out. Worse yet, uncontrolled oral infection can seep into the bloodstream, damaging major body organs including increasing your risk for heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, and other inflammatory diseases.
Before and After Images of Patients
Real Patients, Real Results At Orcutt Family Dentistry
After
Before
- This patient asked me to help her with a couple of things. She wanted me to reduce her gummy smile and she also wanted her front teeth to be a normal size.
- She came into the office thinking she would ask for veneers, but I explained to her that a laser gummy smile reduction might be enough to make it aesthetically pleasing. I asked her to give the gummy smile reduction a chance, and once we were done, she was very happy with the results.
- The laser gummy smile reduction is much more conservative than veneers and costs much less too.
- I performed gummy smile reduction using a dental laser. The laser is very precise and very minimal bleeding occurs. This is a much more conservative method than the old-school surgery with scalpels and results in almost no discomfort afterward.
- Below you can see the before pictures and immediately afterwards pictures. All of this was accomplished within 20 minutes. The patient had practically no discomfort afterward.
- This was accomplished only with a dental laser; no Botox or fillers were used.
Gum disease treatment for optimal oral health
Prevention is the most cost-effective way of addressing gum disease. However, when preventive care fails, Dr. Orcutt offers effective treatments for gum infection. Mild gum disease (gingivitis) is the only reversible stage of gum disease. Dr. Orcutt treats gingivitis with standard cleanings and strict oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and using oral rinses.
Deep teeth cleaning is usually the standard treatment if you have more than mild gum infection. This treatment involves two procedures—scaling and root planing (SRP). Scaling removes tartar and harmful bacteria from deep pockets between the teeth and gums. Root planing polishes your tooth roots to promote healing and prevent future bacterial invasions.
Laser gum therapy offers an alternative to traditional deep teeth cleaning. Instead of using manual tools to remove plaque and tartar, laser gum therapy uses a specialized, high-focused light to target and remove diseased gum tissue and bacteria.
Advanced gum disease may require bone and soft tissue grafting to replenish lost tissue. Our experienced periodontal team will support you throughout the entire process, ensuring you attain optimal gum health.
Gum disease treatment near me
Suspect gum disease in Fair Oaks, California? Call (916) 963-9986 to schedule an appointment with Orcutt Family Dentistry for periodontal maintenance. Let’s help you own your smile.
