Periodontics (Periodontist) In Silver Spring & Germantown, MD
R3 Dental Group is home to a number of dental professionals, including periodontists. These professionals specialize in diseases and infections of the mouth. Patients typically go to periodontists for gum disease and other conditions. Patients in Silver Spring, Germantown, Bowie, and Frederick, MD, can trust R3 Dental Group for their periodontics treatments.
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What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics is a specialty of dentistry focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and other supporting structures of the teeth, with one of the most prevalent conditions being periodontal disease. Often referred to as gum disease or periodontitis, it manifests as inflammation and/or bleeding of the gums and, if untreated, can lead to loosened or lost teeth. If diagnosed with this condition, treatment options vary based on its severity. While we begin with non-surgical, less invasive methods, severe cases might necessitate surgery.
Treatment Options
Surgical Treatment
If the tissue or bone surrounding your teeth is too damaged to be repaired with non-surgical treatment, several surgical procedures are available to prevent severe damage and to restore a healthy smile. We will recommend the procedure that is best suited to the condition of your teeth and gums.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning using ultrasonic devices to clear plaque and tartar under the gums and smooth teeth, aiding gum reattachment. If caught early, it may be the only gum disease treatment needed. But consistent oral hygiene, a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and regular dental visits are vital.
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Types Of Periodontal Surgery
Pocket Depth Reduction
In a healthy mouth, teeth are anchored by gum tissue and jaw bones. Periodontal disease damages these, creating pockets around the teeth where bacteria accumulates, leading to further harm. If untreated, teeth may fall out or require removal. During pocket reduction or “flap surgery”, we remove the gum, clean out bacteria and tartar, and eliminate damaged tissue. Afterward, we stitch the healthy tissue back, allowing gums to reattach to the teeth.
Regeneration
When the bone and tissue supporting the teeth have been lost due to severe gum disease, we can restore these areas with a regeneration procedure. During this process, we begin by folding back the gum tissue and removing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Depending on your situation, we may then perform a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth, or we may apply a special kind of protein that stimulates tissue growth to repair the areas that have been destroyed by the disease.
Soft-Tissue Graft
A frequent symptom of gum disease is gum recession (also called gingival recession). As the gums recede, more of the roots are revealed. This can make teeth appear longer and can also create sensitivity to hot or cold liquids or food. It also exposes the tooth to increased damage from gum disease, as bacteria, plaque, and tartar attack the surface of the tooth and the root. During a soft-tissue graft, tissue from the top of your mouth or another source is sewn to the gum area, covering the roots and restoring the gum line to its original, healthy location. This procedure can also be performed for cosmetic reasons.
If you are in need of periodontics care, contact us today to schedule an appointment and begin your treatment. We have offices conveniently located in Germantown and Silver Spring, which serve the greater Maryland area, including Bowie, Frederick, and Washington, D.C.