In some cases, severe gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth. At Schrott Perio Implants, we always strive to save your natural teeth. For more information or to make a consultation appointment, call us at 617-484-9240.
Benefits of Saving Your Teeth
Periodontists can save teeth from the effects of gum disease. Preserving your natural teeth has many oral health benefits:
Continue Chewing and Speaking Normally
Lost teeth, especially when you do not replace them, may lead to problems beyond appearance. With natural teeth, you can chew your food and continue to eat healthy and comfortably. You will also be able to speak without an impediment.
Prevents Tooth Movement
A missing tooth allows others to slip out of position. Teeth may become crossed and crowded. Crooked teeth may be more difficult to brush and floss, leading to more dental decay and exacerbating existing gum disease.
Prevents Space Between Teeth
Losing teeth causes gaps and spaces that are not only unsightly but will affect the way you chew and function. When a tooth or several teeth are missing your teeth will shift and can increase the space between your teeth, which can lead to food impaction and exacerbation of existing gum disease.
Prevents Bone Atrophy
When teeth are missing the jaw bone and gum tissue in the affected area atrophy. Therefore, missing teeth or teeth that cannot be saved anymore should be replaced with dental implants.
Protects Dental Bite
Missing teeth not only become crooked, but they can also change your bite. You could encounter bite-related problems, including bruxism (tooth grinding) and temporo-mandibular disorder – a condition of the jaw joint (temporo-madibular joint) that can cause damage to the joint, chronic muscular pain or headaches.
Shifting of teeth will result in some teeth being hit harder and consequently may lead to the loss of these teeth as a consequence of mechanical overload.
Preserves the Jawbone
Missing teeth lead the jawbone to break down, starting with the empty socket. The jawbone needs stimulation from chewing to stay healthy. Preserving your natural teeth keeps your jawbone robust.
Maintains Your Appearance
Preserving your natural teeth will keep your smile beautiful. Missing teeth can lead to an aged appearance. They may make you self-conscious or unwilling to smile in public or photos.
Procedures Offered
Periodontists use many procedures to save teeth:
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is also called a deep cleaning since the periodontal pockets – the area underneath the gum tissue, where harmful bacteria live and cause gum disease – is cleaned using specific instruments. This procedure is generally performed by a hygienist.
Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the entire tooth surface while root planing smooths the root surfaces to promote attachment of healthy gum tissue. Systemic antibiotics are often given to support this antimicrobial treatment.
Periodontal Regeneration and Pocket Reduction Surgery
During periodontal regeneration surgery bacteria and infected gum tissue are removed and bone grafts and growth factors are used to rebuild the bone around compromised teeth. As a result periodontal pockets are reduced so there are less niches for harmful bacteria to live and cause continued gum disease.
Gum Grafts
Gum grafts can help to save teeth by protecting exposed root surfaces. Roots are far more likely to break down when exposed, causing root decay or infections.
Periodontal Maintenance
Regular cleanings are imperative to maintain periodontal health in patients who suffer from gum disease. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are usually performed every three months alternating between the primary care dentist and the periodontist. That way teeth are cleaned every three months and the periodontist can monitor the periodontal condition regularly.
Why Choose Schrott Perio Implants?
We have years of expertise when it comes to saving teeth. We do everything possible to preserve natural teeth, including the most advanced techniques and materials.
Our office environment is warm, friendly, and non-judgmental, and we offer many periodontal and dental implant services. We can help you preserve your oral health and keep your smile intact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saving Teeth
How do I know whether I have periodontal disease?
Following are some of the signs of periodontal disease:
- Red, bleeding, swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Deep pockets between the teeth and gums
- Bad breath
- Sensitive teeth
- Loose teeth
- Change in bite
Why should I see a periodontist if I have gum disease?
Advanced gum disease could cause you to lose your natural teeth without a periodontist’s expert care. Periodontists employ several techniques to preserve and regenerate gum and bone tissue and prevent tooth loss.
Why is it harmful to have missing teeth?
Living without a missing tooth may seem harmless, but patients do not realize how much hidden damage occurs. Shifting teeth can cause tooth decay, accelerated periodontal disease, mechanical overload of other teeth or temporo-mandibular disorder – a condition that can cause chronic pain and headaches. The jawbone could begin to break down, making it harder to receive dental implants.
Is gum disease reversible?
Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is marked by red, bleeding gums when you brush or floss. If you step up your oral care routine and make all recommended dental visits, you may be able to reverse gingivitis.
Once you develop periodontitis, a condition that entails bone loss around your teeth, periodontal regeneration surgery may be able to reverse some of the lost bone.
How does gum graft surgery help prevent tooth loss?
Gum grafts cover exposed roots and halt damage to or decay of the tooth roots. Gum grafts can create a stable seal around teeth with thin gum tissue and hence reduce the risk for an infection.
How likely is it that a periodontist can save my teeth?
Modern periodontal treatment often is able to treat or halt advanced gum disease and prevent the loss of teeth. Whether this is possible will depend on the severity of the gum disease, the presence of risk factors such as uncontrolled diabetes, poor homecare and smoking, and the patient’s compliance with the suggested periodontal treatment.
Call Schrott Perio Implants
If you want to save your teeth, act quickly. Letting periodontal disease run its course could lead to significant tooth loss and oral health problems. If you believe you have periodontal disease, call our Belmont, MA, office at 617-484-9420. We can set up a consultation and help you understand what we can do to save your teeth.