Periodontics

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the structures that surround and support your teeth. A periodontist is a dentist near Aurora who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease as well as the placement of dental implants.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is a serious gum infection that ultimately damages your gums and can lead to your jawbone deteriorating. If your gums are swollen, red, or irritated, you should see a periodontist immediately so they can properly diagnose and treat you. One of the main causes of periodontitis is gum disease, but there are other factors as well.

Causes

If you have poor dental hygiene, you are prone to periodontitis, especially when you don’t brush your teeth properly. Causes of periodontitis include, but are not limited to:

• Plaque buildup in your gumline
• Bacterial growth leading to infection in your gums
• Smoking—this is one of the largest factors
• Medications that are known to reduce saliva
• A poor diet

Treatments

Ultimately, you want to have a clean and pain-free smile. If you have periodontitis, there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments to cure your infection, cleaning the pockets around your teeth and preventing damage to the bone. Some of the less invasive treatments include:

• Scaling: This is a process in which your dentist or dental hygienist removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces as well as beneath your gumline.
• Root Planing: This process smoothes the root surfaces to prevent future buildup of tartar and bacteria. Root planing is also able to remove bacterial byproducts that may have caused inflammation in the first place.
• Antibiotics: Your dentist can provide topical or oral antibiotics to help control the infection. Topical antibiotic examples are mouth rinses or gel insertions. Oral antibiotics may be more effective in completely eliminating the infection.

Some of the surgical treatments are flap surgery, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafting. Make sure you discuss with your periodontist which treatment will be the most beneficial to your specific case.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a surgical treatment that interfaces with your jawbone or skull in order to support dental prosthesis. Some of these prostheses consist of a crown, bridge, or denture. Our periodontist is able to offer dental implants, so if you think you are a candidate, contact us today. We will walk you through the procedure and give you instructions on implant care.

Contact Us Today

As your dentist serving Aurora, we are ready to address the needs of both you and your children. If you are ready to book an appointment to discuss different treatments, contact us today at (630) 851-7878 or book through our website.