What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, bones, and other tissues supporting teeth. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss if not treated promptly.

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that occurs when bacteria in the mouth build up and irritate the gums, leading to inflammation, gum recession, and eventual bone loss.

The bacteria in your mouth form plaque, which can lead to gum disease if not removed regularly. Periodontal disease may be influenced by age, genetics, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or drinking alcohol excessively.

Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of periodontal disease because it allows bacteria to accumulate on teeth and gums, leading to plaque build-up and allowing bacteria to settle in the area between your gum line and tooth surface (also known as pocketing).

How do I know if I have periodontal disease?

If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist as soon as possible:

• Red, swollen, or painful gums.
• Bleeding when flossing or brushing your teeth. 
• Halitosis (bad breath) that doesn’t go away. 
• Receding gums.
• Loose teeth. 

What are the risks of periodontal disease?

Tooth loss. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. 

Diabetes complications. Because diabetes impairs circulation and the immune response, it makes it more difficult for the body to fight infection. Diabetics are therefore at greater risk of developing periodontal disease. This means that even minor infections like those caused by plaque buildup can cause serious problems—including heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure—if they go untreated.

Increased risk of heart attack and stroke: Researchers at UCLA found that people with severe periodontal disease were more than twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease than those with healthy gums. Another study found that people with poor oral health were nearly twice as likely to suffer a stroke. 

How is periodontal disease treated?

Periodontal treatment is based on your individual needs. Many people can be treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy, which includes scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)—a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface below the gum line. Scaling and root planing help reduce pocket depths, which can improve gum health and reduce your risk of tooth loss.

Antibiotic therapy may be prescribed if you have an infection caused by periodontal disease or if antibiotics are necessary before any other treatment begins. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria that cause infections.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to help prevent further damage to your teeth or gums. Surgical treatments for periodontal disease can include flap surgery or gum grafting. During flap surgery, the gum tissue is lifted away from the tooth so that the roots and jawbone can be treated. In grafting procedures, tissue is taken from one part of your mouth and placed in another to help anchor loose teeth or repair areas damaged by periodontal disease.

Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, you may require one or more treatments to restore your oral health.

What can I do to prevent periodontal disease?

There are several things you can do to prevent periodontal disease. The most important is keeping your teeth and gums healthy:

• Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. Fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth. 
• Schedule regular dental checkups (at least twice a year) to ensure that there are no problems in the mouth that need attention.
• Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Avoid high-sugar foods that can cause tooth decay, don’t use tobacco products, and limit alcohol consumption because too much can weaken tooth enamel.

Periodontal Associates Specializes in the Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is treatable, but it’s best to catch it early for the best possible outcome. If you have any symptoms of periodontitis or are interested in further information about the treatment of periodontal disease, consult a dentist or periodontist.Call (508) 875-6185 today to schedule an appointment at our Framingham office or (617) 964-6185 for our Newton Centre office. We look forward to helping you maintain your oral health.

Periodontics is a specialty in the field of dentistry. A periodontist is a dentist first, who then receives extra training in periodontics. What is periodontics? 

Periodontology is the study of the supporting structures for teeth and the diseases and conditions that affect them. A periodontist treats the gums, jaw bone, and ligaments that support the teeth. The most common issue with these supporting structures is periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease. Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums caused by excessive plaque buildup on the teeth. 

Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist if you have severe or acute/chronic gum disease that does not respond to typical treatment.

What Dental Procedures Does a Periodontist Perform?

Periodontists may perform a range of different procedures to treat gum disease or other gum conditions, such as:

• Scaling and Root Planing. Scaling and root planing are actually two different procedures, but they are most often performed together. Scaling is the removal of plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) from the tooth surfaces underneath the gums. This is the main cause of gum disease, and because it is below the gum line, your toothbrush won’t reach it. Once the scaling is done, root planing is performed next. Root planing smooths the surface of the tooth root once the plaque and calculus have been removed, also eliminating altered and contaminated root structure caused by the bacterial endotoxins. This allows the gums to adapt/ adhere to the roots of the teeth with no spaces between for bacteria to accumulate and cause gum disease.
• Osseous (bone) Surgery. Sometimes it is necessary for a periodontist to reshape the bone structure that holds your teeth in place. The jaw bone and ligaments are the support structures for your teeth. If there are gaps or pockets between the gums and teeth, it allows room for bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Bone surgery can be done to reshape the bone and ligaments to prevent these pockets from forming.
• Bone Graft. A bone grafting procedure is sometimes done in preparation for a dental implant. If the jaw bone is not thick enough to support an implant, a bone graft can increase it. When a tooth is missing or in the case of severe gum disease, the jaw bone deteriorates and eventually disintegrates. A bone graft procedure involves surgically placing bone graft material under the gums on top of the existing bone. This fortifies the existing jaw bone and helps it to regenerate and grow to increase the size on its own. Once this process is complete and the bone has had a few months to grow, a dental implant can be placed.
• Gum Graft. A gum graft procedure may be necessary if the gums have receded too far away from the teeth. Receding gums allow the tooth root to be exposed, which can cause sensitivity and loss of bone support. This procedure involves removing tissue from another place in the mouth and grafting it over the roots of the teeth where the gum tissue has receded. The gum tissue regenerates and bonds with the teeth.
• Dental Implant Placement. Periodontists are experts at dental implant placement. While many general dentists also perform this procedure, a periodontist specializes in the placement of dental implants. 

A dental implant is an artificial tooth and root system. The implant root is a titanium post that is surgically placed in the jaw bone. It fuses with the bone to form a strong bond. Once the implant is anchored to the bone, a crown is attached to the top. The entire dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth.

Trust Your Oral Care to Periodontal Associates

If you’re in need of advanced oral care for gum disease, gum conditions, or any problems with the support structure for your teeth, a periodontist has specific training to provide you with the treatment you need. Periodontal Associates consists of two highly trained, experienced periodontists who can provide the care you need to improve and preserve your oral and dental health. 

Call 508-875-6185 to schedule a consultation at our Framingham office or 508-875-6185 for our Newton office. You can also request an appointment. We look forward to providing you with the periodontal treatment you need.

You are familiar with what a dentist does, but what exactly is a periodontist? Perhaps you’ve been referred to a periodontist due to severe gum disease or to have a dental implant placed. A periodontist is a specific type of dentist with a specialty in periodontics, which refers to the health of the gums and bones that support the teeth.

When should you see a periodontist in addition to a regular dentist? Here are some possible scenarios.

Situations That Might Lead to a Referral to a Periodontist

These are some examples of cases where a dentist may refer you to a periodontist for specific or advanced treatment.

• Severe Gum Disease. Gum disease is quite common. Adults over 30 are likely to experience gum disease to some extent. But not everyone’s case is severe enough to require a periodontist. In some instances gum disease can be treated and managed by your dentist. It is considered severe when it causes extreme discomfort, is recurring or chronic despite treatment, or if it will require more complex forms of treatment such as scaling or root planing.
• Loose Teeth. If your teeth are loosening in your mouth, it can be the result of severe or untreated gum disease. Your gums and jaw bone are the supportive structures that help to keep your teeth in place. The bone that supports the teeth,  can weaken due to gum disease. When the supportive structure starts to deteriorate, the teeth can become loose, requiring the help of a periodontist to restore or replace the loose teeth.
• Missing Teeth. Teeth can be lost for a variety of reasons from gum disease to severe decay or trauma. But there are many tooth replacement options available, such as dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth and root system that is surgically placed in the jaw bone. The placing of a dental implant is a complex procedure that is often performed by a periodontist.
• Bite Pattern Issues. If you experience sudden or gradual changes in the way your teeth feel when you bite down, it could be an indication of gum or jaw issues. You may think that bite issues would be handled by an orthodontist, but not necessarily. An orthodontist may correct bite issues that have always been there, but a change in bite pattern would be referred to a periodontist.
• If you have Diabetes. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and diabetes. One doesn’t necessarily cause the other, but they are unmistakably related. If you have diabetes, it may be necessary for you to see a periodontist regularly to avoid or get treatment for gum disease.

Signs You May Have Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is characterized by a variety of symptoms:

• Bleeding gums. If your gums bleed, even a little bit when you brush or floss your teeth, it indicates that your gums may be infected.
• Swollen gums. Swelling is another sign of infected gums, as the inflammation tends to trigger swelling.
• Abscessed gums. Severe infection sometimes leads to oozing of pus from the gums. 
  
• Pain. When you feel pain in your gums it indicates that they are inflamed and irritated from infection. 
  
• Bad breath. Gum disease can cause bad breath. If you or a loved one notice a change in your breath it may indicate an infection. 
  
• Loose or missing teeth. Severe gum disease can lead to teeth becoming loose and even falling out.

Do You Need a Referral To See a Periodontist?

No, you do not need a referral from your dentist to see a periodontist. You can make an appointment for a consultation at any time. It can be helpful to request that your dental records be sent to your periodontist so that they have background information about your general dental health. If you have dental insurance you may want to check with your provider to find out what is the best course of action to ensure you get the maximum amount of benefit toward periodontal services.

Schedule a Consultation with Periodontal Associates

If you have symptoms of gum disease or your dentist or physician has recommended that you see a periodontist, Periodontal Associates is here to help. We offer a wide range of periodontal services from scaling and root planing to dental implants. If you need additional care beyond what your dentist is able to provide, contact Periodontal Associates.

Call 508-875-6185 today to schedule a consultation at our Framingham office or 617-964-6185 for our Newton office. You can also request an appointment at your most convenient location. We look forward to providing you with top quality periodontal care.

An important part of your oral health, in addition to the condition of your teeth, is your periodontal (gum) health. And because the health of your teeth and gums go hand in hand, it’s equally important to monitor and treat periodontal disease. 

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums that can become serious when not treated. Your gums are there to support your teeth. When gum disease goes untreated, the disease can progress into the jawbone. Your gums and bone may fail to sufficiently hold your teeth, leading to loosening or loss of teeth. The infection can also spread throughout your body and negatively impact your overall health. 

The key to treating gum disease is early detection and treatment. Look out for these 4 signs that indicate you have periodontal disease and contact your dentist or periodontist if you notice any of these symptoms.

1. Bleeding gums.

If you notice blood when you brush or floss your teeth, it is not normal. Unless you are flossing for the first time or you accidentally brushed too hard, bleeding is a sign of gum disease. When your gums are infected and swollen, the act of brushing and flossing can cause infected pockets to open up and bleed.

2. Sore gums.

Do your gums hurt when you brush or floss? Sore, painful gums are a sign of infection due to gum disease. Regularly brushing your teeth once or twice a day should not be painful when your gums are healthy. If you’ve gone a while without brushing and then feel pain when you do, you may have a case of gum disease.

3. Receding gums or loose teeth.

Look at your teeth and gum line in the mirror. Do you see places where the gums are receding or have pulled back from your teeth? You will most likely see a ridge or line on your teeth where the gums used to be, but now part of the tooth root below that line is exposed. This is a sign that the gums are not as healthy as they should be and may be infected. Another sign is loose permanent teeth, which indicates that the gums are not sufficiently supporting them due to gum disease.

4. Sensitive teeth.

The exposed part of the tooth below the original gum line can be very sensitive once the gums recede. The root portion of the tooth does not have the same hard enamel coating the crown portion of your tooth has that prevents sensitivity. Sensitivity is the result of porous tooth material that leads to the nerve inside of the tooth. Without enamel, the nerve is easily exposed to cold, heat, air, and sugar, which can cause pain.

Treatment

If you have any of the above symptoms of periodontal disease, there are treatments to help. Your periodontist may perform or recommend any of the following: 

• Deep cleaning of your gums below the gum line. 
• Antibiotic gel.
• Antiseptic chips or antibiotic microspheres that release antibiotics directly into the gums. 
• Enzyme suppressants that block the enzymes that break down gum tissue. 
• Oral antibiotics.
• Surgery (gum graft or flap surgery). 

The treatment method or combination of methods will depend on the severity of the gum disease and how the disease responds to treatment. 

Prevention 

Keeping up with proper oral care at home can help to prevent gum disease. Dentists recommend brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist for routine cleanings and examinations every 6 months. 

If You Symptoms of Gum Disease, Periodontal Associates Can Help

Your dentist may be able to treat your gum disease, but a periodontist specializes in the field of gum health. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for in-depth treatment. Periodontal Associates in Framingham and Newton Centre, MA specialize in the treatment and health of the supporting structures for your teeth, including gums and jaw bone. We offer a full range of periodontal services. 

Call Periodontal Associates today at (508) 875-6185 to make an appointment at our Framingham office or (617) 964-6185 for our Newton office. You can also request an appointment at either office. We look forward to helping restore your periodontal health.

For decades, the first line of treatment for the early stages of gum disease has been a procedure called scaling and root planing. During this treatment, tartar deposits below the gumline are scraped away using a specialized dental tool, then the root is smoothed to allow the gums to reattach. Scaling and root planing is safe and effective, but with laser dentistry, we now have a more modern and comfortable way to treat gum disease. Here’s what you need to know.

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is the chronic infection and inflammation of the gums. While the earliest stages of the disease present in the gum tissue, usually in the form of red or purple gums and bleeding, gum disease quickly begins to impact overall oral health. It leads to bad breath and over time teeth can begin to loosen, shift in the mouth, and eventually fall out. There have even been recent studies linking periodontitis and heart disease.

Plaque is the precursor to gum disease. If it’s not brushed or flossed away, it can harden into deposits called tartar. Tartar deposits release damaging acid into the mouth and harbor bacteria—and unlike plaque, tartar can only be removed with professional cleaning. When tartar collects just below the gum-line it forms something we periodontists call pockets. Essentially, these are gaps between the gum and tooth where the gum tissue has started to pull away from the root. Pockets make it easy for more tartar and debris to collect; as the pockets deepen, the bacteria they contain begins to attack the supporting structures of the teeth.

Laser Dentistry for Gum Disease

Scaling and root planing is a terrific treatment option for gum disease, but many patients with dental anxiety delay scheduling the procedure, anticipating pain, swelling, and bleeding. With laser dentistry, we can reduce the size of pockets and minimize bleeding and trauma to the gums.  And the treatment is more comfortable for patients, helping ease their anxiety. In fact, with dental lasers, treatment is so comfortable that we often don’t even need to use anesthesia.

Because dental lasers are high-energy beams, they effectively sterilize and detoxify the pockets, killing the harmful bacteria that attacks supporting structures of the teeth and causes bad breath. They can reduce the depth of the pockets or eliminate them altogether and help support the regeneration and new attachment of bone, ligaments, and gum connective tissue. Benefits of laser dentistry for gum disease include:

• The possibility for better treatment outcomes
• Less anxiety for patients
• No noise from ultrasonic dental instruments
• Less bleeding, swelling, and trauma to the gums and surrounding structures
• Faster healing time
• Maximum gum reattachment to close pockets

Periodontal laser treatment is often covered by dental insurance plans. If you’re not sure if your insurance company covers it, we can help check your benefits.

Learn More About Our Laser Dentistry Options

Periodontal Associates offers a variety of laser dentistry procedures for the gums, including pocket reduction, crown lengthening, and gum contouring. To learn more, contact our Framingham office at 508-875-6185 or our Newton office at 617-964-6185 to schedule a consultation.