GUM DISEASE/Periodontitis TREATMENT - Katy, TX

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What Is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gingivitis that is caused when plaque and bacteria build between the teeth and the gums. Periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, which creates deep pockets for the bacteria to grow. This damages the bone that supports the teeth. If left untreated, the gums will become more and more painful, and tooth loss may occur as a result. If you believe you have Periodontitis and are seeking treatment, call (832) 840-9560 today for a consultation with experienced Joseph W. Holland. Dr. Holland serves patients in Katy and the surrounding areas of Texas.

What Causes Periodontitis?

The primary cause of periodontitis is an excessive build-up of plaque and bacteria. However, there are additional secondary causes and risk factors that can contribute to the development of periodontitis, including:

Hospital/ER hallway

Complications of Periodontitis

There is some research that supports relationships between periodontitis and the following conditions:

How is Periodontitis Treated?

In the initial exam, Dr. Holland will look at your medical/dental history, radiographs, and take diagnostic measurements to assess the cause of the problem. Many times it is multifactorial (having more than one cause), and we will work with you and your physician(s), if necessary, to control the causes.

The first option is nonsurgical therapy, known as Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) or a “deep cleaning.” This procedure is used to clean below the gums to remove bacteria and tartar from the tooth as well as the roots. In some cases, this procedure will restore the gums to health.

After the SRP is completed, another evaluation will be complete 4-6 weeks later to assess if and how much improvement has taken place.

  • If there is still deep pocketing around some of the teeth, a surgical procedure may be recommended. There are 2 types of surgical procedures to correct the periodontal disease:

    Regenerative Therapy
    Dr. Holland will assess the predictability of regenerating some or all of the supporting tooth structure. If found to be predictable, either a bone graft, guided tissue regeneration, biologic growth factor, or a combination of the above treatments will be used to regenerate your supporting tooth structure. Essentially, we are returning the underlying bone and supporting structures to the current tissue levels.

    Resective Therapy
    If regeneration is unpredictable, Dr. Holland may recommend resective therapy, which includes osseous surgery and/or an apically positioned flap. In these cases we reduce the gum pockets by taking the tissues down to the existing support structures. The outcome of this procedure is to maintain the levels of the support structures and prevent further progression of periodontal disease.

How You Can Prevent Periodontitis

Dental implant restorations usually take place over a few appointments and involve several steps:
dental patient brushing teeth

Oral Hygiene

The main method of prevention is a good oral hygiene routine. This routine includes brushing at least twice per day and flossing once per day. An American Dental Association (ADA) recommended mouthwash (i.e. Listerine, Crest Pro-Health) is helpful in preventing gingivitis and periodontitis as well.

Regular Dentist Visits

In addition to good home oral hygiene, it is recommended to visit your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and checkup. In all cases, the astringent periodontal maintenance protocol is crucial to prevent periodontal disease from returning. This protocol usually includes cleanings and checkups every 3 months to keep the teeth and gums healthy. It also is imperative that a good home hygiene routine is implemented and maintained. Another component is reducing any risk factors that can contribute to periodontal disease.

In rare cases even if a strict regimen is followed, periodontal disease may return. At that time we would sharpen the focus on risk factors, systemic disease(s), and the immune response.

Dentures patient Eric getting his consultation
Dental Implant patient Frank loving his new smile as he glances in a mirror

Regular Check-Ups After Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease

An important realization of periodontitis is that it occurs because of a person’s susceptibility to the disease. Whether it is hygiene, the immune response, and/or risk factors that contribute to it, the disease must be kept in check to maintain healthy gums and prevent tooth loss. Once diagnosed, a person must continuously follow-up with maintenances and check-ups in order to have the best chance for oral health.

Dr. Holland is looking forward to beginning a relationship with you and is committed to providing a place for education, motivation, and first-class care for your needs.

Stop gum disease/Periodontis before it’s too late!

Schedule your gum disease consultation with Advanced Periodontics & Implants of Katy in Katy, Fulshear, Cinco Ranch and Sugar Land, TX to get started.

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