Periodontist Phoenix Ahwatukee Arizona

Periodontics In Phoenix & Ahwatukee, AZ

Periodontal care designed to keep your smile healthy. Gum health is imperative for long-term dental health. A periodontist can help.

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What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious progressive inflammatory disease of the gingival, connective tissue and bone around the teeth. Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that is characterized by loss of attachment between the teeth and the supporting bone, due to destruction of the periodontal ligaments and jawbone loss. Left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss – and is believed to affect around 80% of the population above age 30.

Am I At Risk?

Additionally, the biggest danger of gum disease is that most patients are unaware of their problem until it has reached the advanced stages. The condition may be reversible if the symptoms are detected before the disease has progressed from gingivitis to periodontitis. While everyone can have periodontal disease, you may be at an increased risk if you:

  • Have a genetic predisposition
  • Smoke or use tobacco products
  • Clench or grind your teeth
  • Have poor nutrition or obesity
  • Are 65 or older

The Stages Of Gum Disease

Gum Disease Healthy Gums Phoenix Ahwatukee AZ

Healthy Gums

Gum Disease Gingivitis Phoenix Ahwatukee AZ

Gingivitis

Gum Disease Periodontitis Phoenix Ahwatukee AZ

Periodontitis

Gum Disease Advanced Phoenix Ahwatukee AZ

Advanced Periodontitis

The first dentist in my 40 year life, I actually felt comfortable at. Also for the first time, I was able to schedule my next cleaning right after I was done. Yeah!

McCOOLS B.Patient

Preventing and Treating Gum Disease

Your periodontist will access the health of your gums and teeth. The depth of the periodontal pockets around the teeth is the main indicator of disease progression and for the level of destruction of periodontal tissues. Improving your daily oral hygiene in combination with a deep periodontal maintenance cleaning (dental scaling and root planning) are usually enough to treat gingivitis. If however, the disease has progressed to the advanced stage, gum surgery will be required to restore the damage caused to periodontal tissues and prevent disease recurrence.

What Are My Options To Keep My Smile Healthy?

Osseous Surgery

Osseous surgery, also known as pocket depth reduction, is surgery in which the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth to allow the dentist to gain access and clear the tooth root and bone surface inside the periodontal pocket from tartar, bacteria and infection or tissue with disease.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is a surgical periodontal procedure in which tissue is taken away from the palate or another source area in the mouth and added to an area where the tooth roots have become exposed due to gum recession caused by periodontal disease.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is performed by a periodontist to help prevent the progression of periodontal disease. During the procedure, your periodontist cleans the teeth below the gums and remove the calculus from the tooth surface. The procedure helps to remove the harmful bacteria from the periodontal pocket.

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