Treatment for Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a serious condition that can cause tissue inflammation, infection, and tooth loss. Fortunately, with the right care, it can be managed, controlled, or prevented entirely. At Periodontal Consultants of Cherry Hill, we provide a range of treatments to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. From scaling and root planing to periodontal surgery, our Cherry Hill, NJ team has the experience and expertise to provide you with the best care possible.

Don’t let periodontal disease stand in the way of a beautiful, healthy smile—book an appointment with one of our experienced specialists today! We look forward to helping you achieve optimal smile health with our treatment. Read on to learn more about the treatments we offer!

Gingival Grafts

Gingival grafting is a surgical procedure that involves taking healthy tissue from one part of the mouth (often the roof of the mouth) and using it to cover an area where the gums have receded or worn away, typically due to periodontal disease or aggressive brushing. The goal of gum grafting is to restore the health of the gums, protect the tooth roots, and improve the appearance of the smile.

The gum grafting procedure typically involves the following steps:

Numbing the area: Before the procedure begins, the patient will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area where the graft will be taken and where it will be placed.
Preparing the graft: We will then remove a small piece of tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth, which will be used to create the graft. Alternatively, we may also use biocompatible synthetic tissue.
Preparing the recipient site: Our team will then prepare the recipient site, which is the area where the graft will be placed. This involves cleaning the area and making a small incision to create a space for the graft.
Placing the graft: The graft is carefully placed into the recipient site and stitched into place. The stitches will typically dissolve on their own within a few weeks.
Post-operative care: After the procedure, the patient will receive instructions on how to care for the area as it heals. This may include avoiding certain foods, taking pain medication, and practicing good oral hygiene.

It is normal to experience some discomfort and sensitivity in the area for a few days following the procedure. However, most patients are able to return to their normal activities within a few days to a week.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure that is used to remove excess gum tissue, exposing more of the tooth’s surface. This procedure is often done for cosmetic reasons, but it can also be used as a treatment for periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can cause deep pockets to form between the teeth and gums, making it difficult to clean the teeth properly. Bacteria can accumulate in these pockets, leading to infection and eventually bone loss. Crown lengthening can be used to reduce the depth of these pockets, making it easier to keep the area clean and preventing further damage to the tooth and surrounding structures. The steps involved in this procedure are as follows:

The crown lengthening procedure is typically done under local anesthesia.
The procedure begins by making small incisions in the gum tissue around the affected tooth to expose the tooth’s root and underlying bone.
Our periodontist will then remove any excess gum tissue and/or bone that is covering the tooth’s surface, allowing more of the tooth to be visible above the gum line.
After the crown lengthening procedure, the gum tissue will be stitched back into place and a dressing will be placed over the area to protect it while it heals.
Patients may experience some swelling and discomfort in the days following the procedure, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease that involves the removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth and root surfaces below the gum line. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.

Scaling and root planing is incredibly effective in removing the bacterial buildup that can cause inflammation and damage to the gum tissue and supporting structures of the teeth. The procedure involves the following steps:

Scaling: We will use a special tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth both above and below the gum line.
Root planing: We will then use a root planer to smooth out the rough surfaces of the tooth roots, making it more difficult to harbor bacteria and encouraging the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth surface.

Once the procedure is complete, patients may experience some discomfort. We will provide post-treatment care instructions to help reduce pain and promote healing. We may also recommend that patients follow up the scaling and root planing procedure with regular periodontal maintenance visits to prevent recurrent bacterial buildup and keep their gums healthy.

Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotic treatment can be used in combination with other periodontal disease treatments to help eliminate harmful bacteria. Their administration can be done orally or topically, and work by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

There are different types of antibiotics that can be used to treat periodontal disease, including penicillins, tetracyclines, and macrolides. The choice of antibiotic will depend on the severity and type of the infection, as well as the patient’s medical history and any known allergies.

Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal surgery is an operative procedure that is used to treat advanced periodontal disease. This procedure involves removing diseased gum tissue and thoroughly cleaning the periodontal pockets to promote healing. Periodontal surgery can help reduce pocket depth, eliminate harmful bacteria, and improve overall oral health.

The process of periodontal surgery may vary depending on the type and extent of the periodontal disease, but generally involves the following steps:

Anesthesia: Before the surgery begins, our team will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected teeth.
Incisions: We will then make small incisions in the gum tissue to access the underlying bone and tooth roots.
Debridement: Our periodontist will use special instruments to remove the plaque and tartar buildup from the tooth roots, remove disease tissue, and smooth the surface of the roots to discourage further bacterial growth.
Reshaping: In some cases, we may need to reshape the bone or gum tissue to improve the fit between the teeth and gums and promote healing.
Stitches: We will then stitch the gum tissue back into place over the affected area.
Post-operative care: After the surgery, the patient will be given instructions on how to care for the surgical site to promote healing, including pain management, diet modifications, and oral hygiene instructions.

Treatment for Gum Recession

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root. Gum recession can cause sensitivity to hot or cold foods, as well as tooth decay and even tooth loss if left untreated. Treatment for gum recession depends on the cause and severity of the condition, but is most often treated by a gingival graft.

A gingival graft involves taking tissue from another area of the mouth, such as the palate, and transplanting it onto the area of the gum that has receded. Synthetic tissue is also an option for treating recession. The grafted tissue will integrate with the existing gum tissue and provide additional support and coverage to the tooth’s root surface.

If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontal disease, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Contact Periodontal Consultants of Cherry Hill today to schedule a consultation with one of our periodontal experts. We are committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health!