Periodontal Disease Treatment (Gum Disease)

Gum disease is a serious condition that affects people from all walks of life. Our dentistry provides periodontal services for all stages of gum disease to restore your oral health.

Perio Protect

Periodontal disease, gum disease, and periodontitis are all phrases that we use to describe an infection in the gingiva (gums) and bone around your teeth. Since we rely on healthy structures to keep your tooth roots intact, it’s essential that signs of periodontitis are identified as early as possible.

At Kansas City Smiles & Co, we offer leading-edge conservative periodontal treatments like Perio Protect trays to improve the health of your gums. We make these specialized Perio Protect trays that fit over your teeth and deliver oxygen to the deep gum pockets around your teeth. It is in these deep pockets that the harmful bacteria live and cause chronic infection in your mouth.

Laser Treatment

Laser dentistry is the use of lasers to treat a number of different dental conditions. It became commercially used in clinical dental practice for procedures involving tooth tissue in 1989. Laser dentistry potentially offers a more comfortable treatment option for a number of dental procedures involving hard or soft tissue compared to drills and other non-laser tools.

Laser dentistry is used in a variety of procedures, including:

  • treating hypersensitivity
  • treating gum disease
  • whitening teeth
  • treating cold sores
illustration of bottom teeth with periodontal disease
  • What are the signs of periodontal disease or gum disease?

    The earliest sign of periodontitis is an irritated gum line that might present some discomfort or bleeding when you brush, floss or have your teeth cleaned professionally. If not treated, the gums will start to retract and pull away from the teeth. This creates spaces between the teeth and gums called periodontal pockets that can quickly become filled with harmful accumulations. Your dentist will typically measure the depths of these pockets to determine how far the condition has spread and what treatment is needed to correct the problem. If gum disease eventually makes its way down to the jawbone and the connective tissues of teeth, the jawbone can deteriorate, and teeth can be lost.

    Some of the most common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

    •   Gum recession
    •   “Long teeth”
    •   Tooth mobility (loose tooth/movement)
    •   Sore teeth when you chew/bite
    •   Spaces between teeth
    •   Deep pockets under your gums
    •   Visible bone loss on X-rays
    •   Heavy tartar buildup
    •   Bad breath
    •   Bleeding when you brush and floss
    •   Swollen, red gums

    Please keep in mind that if you smoke, vape, or use tobacco products, you may not see the same symptoms as someone who doesn’t. Your tissues could look “healthy” due to the lack of bleeding or swelling, even if the disease is present.

  • How do I know if I have periodontal disease or gum disease?

    The first signs of periodontal disease or gum disease are red and swollen gums, gums that bleed when you floss or brush and untreated gingivitis. Advanced signs of gum disease include loss of teeth and exposure of your tooth’s root. Periodontitis, or gum disease, can lead to tooth loss if not treated properly.

  • What causes gum disease?

    There are three usual causes of gum disease. The first and most common is chronic periodontitis. This occurs when oral hygiene is neglected and bacteria accumulate beneath the gum line, eventually turning into a hard substance called tartar. Tartar is not easily removed by brushing and flossing and requires professional cleaning. If left untreated the gums become inflamed and damaged and bone loss occurs. The second cause is aggressive periodontitis, which is believed to have a genetic component as it shows up in a small number of families. It moves quickly and can even be seen in children. The last and the rarest cause is necrotizing periodontal disease. This can occur in people with immune issues and or chronic diseases. The soft tissues and bones are compromised due to a lack of blood flow to the area.

  • What is gum recession?

    Receding gums affect about half of Americans over the age of 50. But, young people can experience gum recession too. You may be genetically predisposed to gum recession. Some people are born with thin gums. Other times the environment might contribute to recession. Things like aggressive brushing, trauma, surgery, or ill-fitting partials can cause recession.

    Treatment of Gum Recession

    If you notice a tooth looks long or you experience sensitivity or pain when brushing and flossing, you could have gum recession. Be sure to come in and have the doctor take a look. If you have recession we can typically graft a small amount of skin from your palate and patch it over the receding area. The treatment helps protect the tooth from further damage. It is a minor procedure that can be done for a single tooth or multiple teeth depending on your need.

More Questions?

If you have any questions about periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment, please contact one of our Missouri offices and we will be happy to discuss further! If you're ready to book your appointment, head over to our appointment portal using the button below.

Kansas City Smiles & Co at Independence

3820 South Whitney Ave
Independence, MO 64055
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Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: By Appointment

Phone

816-373-7374

Email Address

[email protected]

Kansas City Smiles & Co at Blue Springs

1400 South Outer Road
Blue Springs, MO 64015
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Hours

Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: Closed

Phone

816-229-4010

Email Address

[email protected]