Our dentists provide periodontal care to our Saint-Laurent patients, including treatment of gum disease, placement of dental implants and cosmetic gum procedures.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth. It is typically caused by poor oral hygiene habits that allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden, eventually affecting the gums.
If it isn't properly treated, gum disease may lead to a variety of oral health issues, from bleeding and inflamed gums to a receding gum line, bone loss and bacteria-filled pockets between the teeth and gums.
Gum Disease Therapy
The type of periodontal treatment you need will depend on the severity and type of disease you are experiencing. Our dentists will work with you in order to craft a treatment plan customized to your particular case.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, our dental team will recommend that you have regular dental examinations and preventive therapy, usually four times a year.
- Preventive Gum Therapy
If this disease is caught early, preventative therapy will be recommended.
Routine hygiene exams and cleanings are important for maintaining your gum health.
By practicing good oral hygiene at home and eating a balanced diet, you can also significantly reduce your chances of ever getting gum disease.
- Non-Surgical Gum Therapy
For patients with mild gum disease, a deep cleaning performed by a dental hygienist may be enough to reverse it.
A dental hygienist will scrape away the tartar and plaque above and below your gum line, as well as smooth out any rough areas left behind. This process is call root planing and scaling.
- Surgical Gum Therapy
For patients with more advanced forms of gum disease, more invasive options, such as surgical treatments, may be necessary to reverse it.
There are a few different types of surgical gum therapy, such as gum grafting and bone grafting.
Cosmetic Gum Therapy
If your gums rest too high or low in your teeth and you aren't pleased with the appearance of your smile, you may be a candidate for gum grafting surgery. This dental procedure can help to even out your uneven gum line and change the perceived length of your teeth.
Placing Dental Implants
Periodontics also includes the placement of dental implants beneath the gum line as part of the process to replace missing teeth. Once a dental implant is placed, and the gums have healed, a tooth replacement is added. This procedure can provide a number of oral health benefits, such as preventing the surrounding teeth from shifting out of place, which can lead to further deterioration of the gums and jaw bone.
