Periodontal Exam
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
The objective of a periodontal exam is to check the health of your gum tissue
A periodontal exam allows us to check the health of your gums and look for signs of gum disease. One of the ways we do this is by measuring the small spaces between your teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. Using a thin instrument called a periodontal probe, which has markings in millimeters, we gently measure the depth of these spaces at several points around each tooth.
In a healthy mouth, these spaces are typically between 1 and 3 millimeters deep, with little or no bleeding during the examination. Measurements greater than 3 millimeters may indicate a problem, particularly when accompanied by bleeding or inflammation. However, pocket depth alone doesn't tell us whether you have gum disease. We also look for gum recession, signs of inflammation, and changes in the bone supporting your teeth. Dental X-rays may be used to help identify bone loss that isn't visible during the examination.
Periodontal disease can develop gradually, sometimes without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms. Regular examinations give us an opportunity to identify changes in your gum health and recommend treatment before more serious damage occurs. If you've previously been treated for periodontal disease, these measurements can also help us determine how well your gums are responding to treatment.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we take the time to evaluate your gum health and explain any concerns we find during your examination. Whether your gums are healthy or showing signs of periodontal disease, we'll discuss what you can do to maintain or improve their condition. To schedule an appointment, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
What Exactly is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support your teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red, and they can bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth will loosen and even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health. A recent CDC report makes these claims in the US:
- 2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
- Periodontal disease increases with age; 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
What Causes Periodontal Disease or Gum Disease?
There are millions of bacteria in our mouths every day. If not kept in check with daily brushing and flossing, these bacteria will infect the tissue surrounding the tooth, causing inflammation around the tooth and leading to gum disease. When the bacteria stay on the teeth long enough, they will form a clear, sticky film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar, also called calculus. Tartar build-up can spread below the gum line, which makes the teeth harder to clean. At this point, only a dental health professional, such as Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, can remove the tartar and stop the periodontal disease process.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
Why Should You Get a Periodontal Exam?
All adults should thoroughly assess the state of their periodontal health to receive accurate information about the health of their mouths.
If you have one or more of the following, it is a warning sign of gum disease:
- Bad breath or a bad taste that will not go away
- Your gums are red or swollen gums
- The gums are tender or bleeding
- It is painful to chew
- You can feel loose teeth
- Your teeth have become sensitive teeth
- Your gums have pulled away from your teeth
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
By addressing your oral health every six months as advised, both you and Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will know the history of your mouth and what is healthy, and we will be better able to notice any conditions, such as periodontal disease, that may need additional treatment.
Research has shown that there is an association between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. It is especially important for this reason to treat any inflammation that causes periodontal disease as soon as possible to ensure that your entire body stays healthy.
What is a periodontal exam?
A Periodontal Examination is a way to assess your periodontal or gum health by examining:
- Your teeth
- Your plaque
- Your gums
- Your bite
- Your bone structures
- Your risk factors
When the team at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics performs this evaluation, we will look at these six areas to determine the state of your periodontal health.
How is the exam performed?
The exam consists of the focus points listed above. One key component is what we will call your “pocket depths.” We will explain this in more detail prior to your exam, but these numbers allow us to diagnose whether there is any infection or tissue loss around your teeth. These numbers help us determine what treatment plan is best suited for your individual needs.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do so in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to adopt technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Good Oral Hygiene Leads to Good Overall Health
Our goal is to keep those pocket depths at 3 millimeters or less for you, along with healthy gum tissue. Your gums should never bleed and that is a crucial sign of a healthy state. Try your best to brush with an electric toothbrush because these are programmed for two minutes. Also floss daily. Other suggestions to improve your home care for your mouth are interproximal cleaners and water picks. Together with your consistent hard work at home and our regular cleanings, exams, and periodontal evaluations, we together can keep your mouth healthy!
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we know that every patient comes to us with different concerns. Before recommending treatment, we want to hear what's bothering you, what you'd like to accomplish, and what your budget is. From there, we'll go over your options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation. Our office also uses modern dental technology to assist with planning and treatment.
We know that dental appointments aren't exactly something most people look forward to. That's why we make a point of explaining what to expect, giving you time to ask questions, and doing what we can to keep you comfortable during your visit. If you'd like to schedule an appointment, you can reach our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600, located at 8801 North Meridian St., Suite 103, or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273, located at 9885 E. 116th St., Suite 300.