What is Periodontics?
Periodontics is a special branch of dentistry that focuses on the gums that surround and support your teeth. So often when we think about our oral health, we focus on just the teeth, but the gums play a huge role, too.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can be caused by many different factors, such as:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Teeth grinding
- Genetics
- Age
- Chronic stress and poor diet
- Diabetes and other medical issues
- Certain medications
- Tobacco
So, how can you tell if your gums are in need of attention? Below are a few common signs:
- Bleeding gums
- Longer teeth
- Sore, red gums
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Pus oozing between teeth
Dr. Fairbanks and his team at Fairbanks Dental Associates are all highly skilled at diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. They work hard to help patients prevent it, too. Gum disease in its earliest form can be reversed entirely, but once it advances – it can’t. However, with the right attention and the proper treatment, the progression of the disease can be stopped.
Benefits of Periodontal Treatment
- Relief from any pain or discomfort
- An enhanced smile
- Improved overall health
- Fresh breath
- Reduce the chance of further dental issues
Procedures Offered
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is commonly used to expose more tooth structure, crown lengthening involves the removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of a tooth’s structure.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting treats root exposure resulting from receded gum tissue. Tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth or from gum tissue near the tooth and stitched into the area needing gingival repair.
Prophylaxis
A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.
Antibiotic Treatment
A locally applied antibiotic delivers minocycline microspheres in the form of a powder. It is placed directly into the infected periodontal pocket at the time of scaling and root planing procedures for easy, targeted treatment. The microspheres adhere to the surrounding surfaces to provide a sustained release of the antibiotic at the site of active infection for effective treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.