Periodontics and gum grafting
What is periodontics
Periodontics is a branch of dentistry which focuses on the treatment of the periodontium, i.e. the supporting tissues of the tooth: gum, bone tissue, cementum and periodontal ligament. Periodontics is an essential specialty to preserve optimal oral health.
At the Richard Landry Dental Clinic, we are proud to provide you with a complete range of treatments dedicated to gum treatment. Whether for the prevention of gum problems, a gum graft or an aesthetic correction, our highly qualified team is committed to ensuring your well-being and oral health.
What is the recommended treatment for gingivitis?
Identify gingivitis
Healthy gums can be recognized by their firmness and pink color. Gum disease can be difficult to detect at first because it can develop slowly and painlessly. Regarding gingivitis, it generally occurs following a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque mix with sugars in food and form acids. If the plaque is not properly cleaned, tissue inflammation begins to set in, i.e. gingivitis. It is important to know that if gingivitis is not treated, it can turn into periodontitis, which is a deeper condition with damage to the attachment of the gum to the tooth, and cause loosening, bone loss and mobility of the teeth.
Oral hygiene practices
To cure gingivitis, it is recommended to carry out regular dental cleaning at the dentist (every 6 months) and maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth after every meal (don’t forget to floss!) and above all, every evening before bed. If you think you have gingivitis, consult your dentist for personalized treatment.
How to treat periodontitis?
Symptoms and causes of periodontitis
Periodontitis is characterized by redness, bleeding, swollen gums, tooth instability, bad breath and loose teeth. It is a deep infection that progresses insidiously, with symptoms only appearing when the disease has reached an advanced stage. If the infection is not detected and progresses without treatment, pain will develop. By this time, it is often too late and it is difficult to reverse the sequence of illness. This type of infection is found in 80% of the population.
Causes include inadequate dental hygiene, heredity, transmission of infection through saliva, and smoking, which reduces the immune response.
Dental examination, scaling and follow-up
Fortunately, periodontitis can be treated successfully. A comprehensive treatment begins with a careful assessment of your hygiene practices, followed by scaling to eliminate bacteria. Then, we will evaluate your tissue response by taking periodontal measurements with a probe. Normally, there is a space between the gum and the tooth with a depth of 2 to 3 mm. If this exceeds 5 mm, we recommend carrying out subgingival scaling.
At the Richard Landry Dental Clinic in Montreal, we then recommend regular follow-up every three months to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and preserve your oral health.
Gum grafting: the solution to correct loose teeth
The consequences of gum recession
The gum graft is aimed at people suffering from gum recession, or dental loosening. The phenomenon occurs when the gum tissue gradually wears away. Exposed roots lead to increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
Without proper treatment, gum recession can lead to complications like cavities and infections. In such cases, a gum graft will be suggested to protect your teeth.
Restore gums with tissue graft
The graft is carried out in a clinic by an experienced dentist. Tissue from the roof of the mouth, soft tissue in the mouth or from a tissue bank is attached to the gums and teeth to cover the root.
Following the gum graft, you will be prescribed painkillers and antibiotics to reduce discomfort and the risk of infection.
Gingivoplasty to redefine your smile
Gingivoplasty aims to reshape the contour of the gums. Although its main objective is to improve the appearance of the smile, it can also be done to improve oral hygiene.
The advantages of gingivoplasty:
- Correct gum abnormalities
- Make the smile attractive and harmonious
- Complete a gingivectomy
- Finalize orthodontic treatment
Gingivoplasty offers an effective solution to enhance the beauty of your smile!
To know about inflammation of oral tissues
It has long been known that bacteria in the mouth can cause heart problems in the heart valves, requiring them to be replaced. Recently other side effects of the presence of these bacteria have been discovered. Following an injury to the gums, the bacteria in the mouth, which are the most dangerous in the entire body (this is why when you are bitten, you must have the tetanus vaccine), enter the blood system. These will cause inflammation of certain organs.
At the level of the brain, Alzheimer’s, the pancreas causes difficulty reading glucose in the blood, diabetes, lungs, pneumonia, pregnant women, early childbirth. At the University of Montreal, a study showed that an oral bacteria caused chronic inflammation which transformed into cancer. In summary, the body does not like inflammation and Dr. Richard Landry, dentist in Montreal, can ensure that there is none in your gums.
