Gum Disease and Periodontal Treatment
When your body senses threats like infections, lacerations, or foreign bacteria, it is designed to rush support to try to heal and protect the area being threatened. The inflammatory response in healthy individuals kills off bacteria and helps to speed healing.
Unfortunately, when it comes to infections in your mouth, treatment can be a little more complicated. When your body detects plaque, tartar and bacteria in your mouth, Instead of actively attacking the bacteria, it starts to protect itself by backing away.
If the early stages of gum disease are left untreated, gums will recede away from the teeth, which can trigger a variety of other dental and oral health problems. Our general dentists, Drs. Reyes and Pham are here to help stop the progression of gum disease and renew our Toronto dental patients' oral health.
Pinhole® Gum Therapy
Receding gums can weaken your teeth, cause root damage and even lead to tooth loss. Through the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique, Dr. Reyes can stabilize receding gums without using traditional surgical procedures such as cutting, grafting and stitches. This minimally invasive procedure can restore years to your smile and improve your overall health.
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease and gingivitis is often painless at first, making it difficult to diagnose without regular dental checkups. Inflammation of the gums can be a potentially serious condition, which is why it’s vital to get regular dental exams from North Shores Dental.
If you have been diagnosed with or are concerned you might have gingivitis, Dr. Reyes and associates offers a range of treatments to reverse or stop gum disease’s progression. If you are in the early stages of gingivitis, most treatment options are non-surgical procedures.
Gum Graft Surgery (or Gum Tissue Regeneration)
Gum grafting is a common periodontal procedure performed by Dr. Reyes at North Shores Dental. This procedure is commonly used to treat gum recession. Once completed, the soft tissue surrounding your teeth can begin to naturally regenerate, restoring a healthier smile. Benefits include reduced sensitivity, an improved smile appearance and overall improvement of gum health.
Dental Crown Lengthening
Some patients require dental crown lengthening as part of preparation for the final crown restoration of a tooth. If necessary, Dr. Reyes will perform a crown lengthening to extend the size or height of a portion of your tooth to better stabilize the dental crown.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
If you visit North Shores Dental every six months for your routine cleaning, you know it involves scaling your teeth and gumline to remove plaque and tartar, and polishing to remove stains and smooth the tooth's surface. However, if you have symptoms of gum disease, you might need a different type of cleaning called scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is a deep dental cleaning procedure Dr. Reyes and his dental team perform to treat patients with current or developing gum disease. Not all patients need this level of cleaning, but it is key for patients concerned with gingivitis.
Bone Regeneration
If periodontal disease has affected your mouth, your jawbone may be too weak to support a dental implant you need. In cases like this, Dr. Reyes will often recommend natural bone regeneration (also known as bone grafting) to promote healthy bone growth and strengthen your jawbone. Over time your jawbone can regain enough bone mass to support a dental implant.
All oral surgeries are by nature invasive and carry risks and recovery times, but the alternative of not treating your progressive gum disease due to these marginal risks is strongly not recommended.
Reclaim Your Oral Health Today
Are you concerned you might have gingivitis? Are you suffering from inflamed gums and dental pain? Don't put off visiting our Toronto dental office any longer, schedule your appointment with North Shores Dental today!
Having a beautiful smile is important no matter who you are. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, it’s never too late to finally achieve the confidence you want.