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Periodontics
Periodontic Services
Over 40 Years of ExperienceIn-House Savings Plan
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts as plaque. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around your gums. This is the early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis turns into periodontitis, which ultimately destroys the tissue around your teeth and the bone that holds your teeth in place. There are very few warning signs except for bad breath and bleeding gums. The disease advances silently and without pain, and you may lose teeth and not know why.
Tooth loss is the most obvious indicator of gum disease. Scientific research has discovered a link between gum disease and stroke, heart attack, and diabetes as well as an increased risk for pregnant women. When your gums are infected, your entire immune system is weakened.
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Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
The treatment for gingivitis is simple and can be performed right in our office at Dr. John Stivers! If left untreated, this generative disease can cause significant tooth and gum deterioration.
Gingivitis is treated by having the hygienist scale and polish your teeth. If left untreated, the condition will progress and your roots will need a planing. Scaling is the removal of tartar from the tooth surface, while root planing is the process of smoothing the root surfaces and removing the infected tooth structure.
As a non-surgical procedure, scaling and planing is performed without the need for anesthesia since the procedure is typically painless. However, advanced stages of Gingivitis may call for numbing for complete comfort. Deep scaling and planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment, which allows sufficient healing time and reduces appointment length.
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