Periodontal

Periodontitis is one of the most serious oral conditions. It is an infection of the gums that decays the gum tissues and has the ability to upset the entire oral health of a person. When left neglected and untreated for a long time, it can spread to the nearby teeth and jawbone, leading to severe pain and tooth loss as well!

How does one develop periodontitis?

Periodontitis starts off as a mild inflammation of the gums. It is mainly caused due to the plaque and tartar that are accumulated on the surface of the teeth. The microbes in the tartar deposits release harmful toxins that decay the gum tissues and cause pain, swelling, redness, inflammation, etc. During this stage, the infection is called gingivitis.

Many people neglect gingivitis, considering it to be a mild oral condition that would subside on its own after a few days. But, when left untreated for a certain period, it can turn serious and lead to issues such as release of pus, bleeding gums, severely decayed gum tissues, loosening of the teeth from their sockets, etc. Sometimes, the jawbone also gets infected, during which it gradually deteriorates.

Treatment

Once you develop periodontitis, treating it before it’s too late becomes vital in preventing further complications. The best way to provide relief from the infection is through oral cleaning. It includes scaling and root planing, which are procedures that are carried out to remove the plaque and tartar deposits from the surface of the teeth and the roots. Once the microbes are removed, the severity of the infection gradually subsides. Along with this, certain medication, such as Arestin, may be suggested by the dentist to heal the infected gums.

In case the gums are too badly decayed and are putting the nearby teeth and jawbone at risk, they may have to be extracted. This is done by a near-painless laser procedure. A highly powerful laser vaporizes the decayed tissues and instantly seals the wounds, thereby significantly reducing pain and discomfort. A gum graft may be in order, where gum tissues that are taken from a healthy part of the mouth will be grafted to the infected area to reverse the receding of gums.

Replace missing teeth

Sometimes, the disease could’ve gotten too bad by the time you get dental attention. This can cost you a tooth, thereby affecting the aesthetics of the smile as well as the functionality of the mouth. You may also feel too conscious while interacting with people. Hence, getting it replaced by a prosthetic tooth is the best way to restore both aesthetics and functionality. We suggest dental implants as they are the strongest dental prosthetics out there. Also, they are durable, stain-resistant, stable, long-lasting, prevent drifting of the natural teeth, and help to preserve the jawbone.

Call us at (408) 973 9600 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Browning for a consultation at our office in Cupertino 95014.

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Our Regular Schedule

Valley Dental

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

By appointments only

Sunday:

Closed