Periodontics Specialist

What is periodontics?

Periodontics is a branch of dentistry used to diagnose, treat, and prevent gum disease. Gum disease affects the structures that surround your teeth, including the gums, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament.

If you have gum disease, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. When left untreated, gum disease increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and bone decay.

What are some signs that I might benefit from periodontics?

Periodontics treats periodontal disease, a group of oral health problems caused by the buildup of plaque. Plaque is a thin film of saliva, food particles, and harmful bacteria.

There’s no way to prevent plaque entirely, but you can keep it in check by regularly brushing and flossing. Common signs that you might benefit from periodontics include:

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen gums
• Gum recession
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath

As gum disease gets worse, you might also notice that your teeth and gums are more sensitive than usual.

What are the different types of periodontics?

Dr. Knight offers several types of periodontics, including:

Nonsurgical treatments

Whenever possible, Dr. Knight uses nonsurgical treatments to manage gum disease. One of the most common types of nonsurgical treatment is laser gum therapy.

During laser gum therapy, Dr. Knight uses a medical-grade laser to trough and vaporize infected gum tissue. This process exposes plaque buildup above and beneath your gum line. It’s also a tooth-saving measure that makes your mouth more accessible.

After removing the damaged gum tissue, Dr. Knight carefully scrapes off the plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria using a handheld tool called a scaler. Afterward, she smooths each tooth’s surface, a process that helps your gums reattach.

To speed up the recovery process following nonsurgical periodontics treatment, Dr. Knight might also prescribe oral antibiotics or antimicrobial mouthwash.

Surgical treatments

If you have a severe case of gum disease, you might benefit from surgical periodontal treatment. Usually, this involves a procedure called surgical pocket reduction. 

During surgical pocket reduction, Dr. Knight carefully lifts your gums and cleans the tartar beneath them. Following your procedure, she sutures your gums so they fit snugly around your teeth.

If your gum disease results in bone or tissue loss, you might also benefit from bone or tissue grafts in combination with surgical pocket reduction.

Is periodontics right for me?

To determine if periodontics is right for you, Dr. Knight conducts an oral exam, reviews your oral health history, and asks about your symptoms and lifestyle. Afterward, she takes a series of X-rays to get a closer look at your tooth roots and jaw.

Periodontal disease is a potentially serious problem. If Dr. Knight detects an issue, she develops a custom care plan to prevent further damage.

To explore periodontics further, schedule an appointment at Knight’s Dental today. Book a consultation online, or call the office and speak with a friendly staff member.