Gum Disease
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.
Periodontal (gum) disease can harm the bone and the surrounding tissues
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects the gums and other tissues that hold your teeth in place. The earliest and mildest form is gingivitis, which causes inflammation of the gums. At this stage, the condition can usually be reversed with proper oral hygiene and professional dental care. However, if the inflammation is left untreated, it can sometimes progress to periodontitis, a more serious condition that damages the bone and tissues supporting your teeth. Over time, this damage can cause teeth to become loose or even fall out.
One of the difficulties with gum disease is that you may not realize you have it. In its early stages, there may be little or no discomfort. You might notice some bleeding when brushing or flossing, or your gums may look red or swollen. As the disease progresses, other symptoms can develop, including persistent bad breath, gum recession, and loose or sensitive teeth. Some people experience very few symptoms, even when the disease has begun to damage the tissues beneath their gums.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we treat patients with different stages of gum disease, from early inflammation to more advanced periodontal problems. During your visit, we'll examine your gums, check for signs of bone loss, and discuss what treatment, if any, is needed. Regular dental visits can help identify changes before they become more serious, even when you aren't experiencing any symptoms.
If you're concerned about the health of your gums or have noticed changes in your smile, contact our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273 to schedule an appointment.
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.
The Stages of Gum Disease
One of the best ways to prevent the development of severe gum disease is to be educated about different stages of gum disease and what symptoms are associated with each level.
- Gingivitis, the first stage, is the most common periodontal disease. Gingivitis develops when plaque can build up around the gums. Gingivitis will make itself evident primarily in your gums, which will become swollen, irritated, or puffy. If you ignore gingivitis, it will quickly lead to periodontitis and other significant health issues. Gingivitis is relatively easy to address through a simple deep cleaning.
- Early Periodontitis, the second stage, occurs when the bacteria that has formed around the gum has progressed in severity, and now the symptoms are bleeding gums and the continued growth of plaque below the gum line, and now the mild or moderate loss of bone around the teeth. If you have reached this stage of gum disease, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will now need to exercise more advanced treatment. We might recommend laser therapy, deep cleaning, or a combination of both.
- Advanced Periodontitis, the final stage, occurs when the plaque, the toxins, and the bacteria have built up so much that they have now formed deep pockets between the gums and teeth, which simply enhances the problem by allowing additional bacteria to settle. This, in turn, accelerates the advanced deterioration of the jawbone. If you have reached this stage of gum disease, laser therapy, deep cleaning, or a combination of both will be recommended.
Some Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms may not be easily recognizable by you until the disease has already reached a severe or advanced level. Professional evaluation is critical to early detection and treatment.
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Receding gums
- Gums that bleed easily, especially when you brush
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, creating pockets
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Teeth that are loose, shifting, separating, or changing position
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of dentures or partial dentures
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
The Different Treatments for the Different Stages of Gum Disease
The staff at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics Gum can treat all stages of gum disease. We will provide the proper treatment, which may include:
- Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) – In the early stages, most cases of gum disease can be stymied and reversed using a simple cleaning procedure by one of our dental hygienists.
- Scaling and root planing – A more advanced method of a gum cleaning, a scaling and root planing procedure involves deeply cleaning under your gums and then planing the surface of the root to remove the toxins and bacteria and stop the spread of the gum infection.
- Gum surgery – In even more advanced cases of gum disease, we may recommend gum surgery in conjunction with a regenerative procedure to eliminate the disease and help restore lost tissues.
- Bone grafting – In the most advanced cases of gum disease, bone density is lost around the teeth, which leads to eventual tooth loss. We may recommend a bone grafting procedure in addition to one of the gum treatments above to regenerate the level of bone and stabilize oral health.
- Antibacterial rinses: when appropriate, we may prescribe an antibacterial rinse to be used at home and to reduce the level of bacteria present in your mouth.
The absolute most important thing you can do to prevent gum disease from developing is to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. Maintaining these preventative habits is essential to avoiding gum disease from even developing. Be sure to brush twice daily and for at least two minutes each time you brush. Also maintain regular flossing habits and consider investing in antimicrobial mouth rinses.
Along with these important at-home care practices, it is also important that you continue scheduling regular visits with Implant Dentistry and Periodontics. Visiting us twice a year will allow us to complement your work by conducting deep cleanings and monitor the overall state of your oral health and being proactive on any issues.
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.
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.