What Are the Treatments for Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection in the gums. It is also called gum disease. There are two major forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is characterized by swollen, possibly bleeding gums. It is caused by poor dental hygiene and if left untreated can become periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when plaque from the teeth gets below the gum lines and irritates the gums. Reacting to the irritation, the body essentially attacks the gum. Tooth loss may occur.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Most periodontists attempt non-surgical treatments as the first method of treatment for periodontal disease. Root planing is one of the most frequently used non-surgical treatments. This involves thoroughly cleaning and removing plaque and tarter from the roots of the teeth (the periodontal pockets). Periodontists may also smooth the root of the tooth during the cleaning to help remove bacteria, and prescribe an antimicrobial to kill bacteria.

Surgery

• Non-surgical treatments may not be able to resolve periodontal disease. There are four types of surgery used when non-surgical treatments aren't effective: pocket reduction procedures, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts.

  Pocket reduction procedures involve lifting the gum tissue in order to access the periodontal pocket that houses the tooth. Bacteria is removed and rough or damaged bone areas are smoothed.

  Regenerative procedures are similar to pocket reduction procedures. Again the gum tissue is folded back to remove bacteria. However, in this procedure, tissue stimulating proteins and/or bone grafts are also implanted to help promote the regeneration of new, healthy bone.

  Crown lengthening involves reshaping and/or pushing back the gums to reduce the gum line. More teeth are exposed, and there is a smaller area for bacteria to grow.

  Soft tissue grafts involve covering the roots of the teeth with tissue from your palate or another part of your body.

Other Therapies

• The Perio Protect is a dental tray that you wear on the teeth in order to apply medication. The tray must be custom fitted. Some dentists recommend the Perio Protect tray as a form of treatment for periodontal disease. However, the American Academy of Periodontology states that studies have suggested the medication in the tray cannot reach the source of periodontal infection. The Academy does not recommend this as a treatment for periodontal disease.

  As of 2009, laser therapy looks as though it may be a promising form of therapy in the treatment of periodontal disease, but the American Academy of Periodontology states that this is still being researched.