Periodontitis or periodontal disease is the infection and inflammation of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. As with tooth decay, this is a silent disease caused by bacteria, which if left untreated, can lead to tooth mobility and loss, as well as other serious repercussions on general health, especially in patients with other sensitive conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease.

The purpose of periodontal treatment is to heal and maintain the health of the tissues surrounding the teeth, as well as to restore the contour and ideal appearance of the gums. This can range from deep cleanings, to gum trimming, surgery or bone grafting to rebuild and restore lost structures.

There are different types of treatments to work on the gums.

NON surgical treatments

It is used when periodontitis is not advanced. It is a treatment that usually involves less invasive procedures, such as:

Scaling and root planing. The objective is to remove tartar and bacteria from the surface of the teeth and root immediately below the gums. The surfaces must be left smooth to prevent new tartar formation, which contributes to gum inflammation and deterioration of the bone supporting the teeth. This is essential to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream and migrating to other areas of the body, where they can cause more serious complications. Remember... healthy gums, healthy life.

Scaling and scaling (deep cleaning) may be supplemented with the use of anesthesia or antibiotics to help control bacterial infection. Medicated gels or mouth rinses used under pressure with the aid of oral irrigators (Waterpik) are also frequently recommended.

Surgical treatments

In case of advanced periodontitis, treatment may require dental surgery, such as:

Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery). The periodontist must lift a section of the gum in order to access the affected bone and roots.

Connective tissue grafts (soft tissue). When gums are swollen for a long time, the bone is also destroyed and thus changes the normal position of the gum. The teeth look longer because they show the root. In this case it will be necessary to cover it again with soft tissue.

Bone grafting. This procedure is performed when periodontitis has destroyed a large amount of the bone surrounding the root of the tooth. There are different types of bone, from synthetic or natural (bovine or human) and many times it is mixed with platelet-rich plasma for better results. In other occasions the bone is obtained from your own palate. It is also common to use membranes or meshes that allow a better retention of the graft.

At SmileFactory we use LASER TECHNOLOGY for your well-being:

It has been proven that the use of laser technology is highly effective in periodontal procedures, either surgically or as a complementary therapy to stimulate tissues to a better recovery. This is due to the fact that the laser allows: