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Periodontal medicine treats inflammation and disease in the tissues and bones that support your teeth to prevent them from spreading to other areas of your body. Maintain your oral and whole-body health with comprehensive treatment of gum infection and disease.
Periodontal disease — also called periodontitis — is a severe gum infection that causes damage to the soft and hard tissues surrounding the teeth. This form of gum disease is responsible for the majority of tooth loss in the global adult population, and is unfortunately also one of the most common diseases in mankind.
Research has established a strong relationship between periodontal disease and systemic (whole-body) health. Periodontitis can lead to other conditions including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, respiratory infection, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and some cancers. This information has changed the way medical and dental professionals think about the importance of the mouth in overall health.
Causes of periodontal disease are varied, but the primary factor is a lack of oral hygiene and proper dental care, which creates unhealthy and bleeding gums. When your plaque control is inadequate, plaque builds up and hardens into tartar, and the bacteria release toxins that attack the structures surrounding your teeth. Other risk factors for periodontal disease include smoking, diabetes, and a family history.
Many people will suffer from the early stage of periodontal disease without knowing. Called gingivitis, this early stage is largely painless, but symptoms to look out for include tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums when brushing or flossing and any pain while chewing. However, as the disease progresses, you may begin to experience gum puffiness and recession, exposed tooth roots that may be sensitive, loose teeth and even bone loss.
When caught early, periodontal disease can often be treated conservatively in the dental chair using simple tooth debridement techniques and deep cleaning with AirFlow technology. Gentle ultrasonic vibrations are used to break up plaque and tartar deposits, removing them from the tooth surface.
Debridement is also performed with AIrFlow and is recommended when the disease is still in early stages. This can help prevent the disease from progressing further to the underlying bone.
If periodontal disease progresses, you may require root planing, which is similar to tooth scaling but targets the areas below the gum line. The dentist or hygienist carefully cleans the pocket between your tooth and gum to remove bacteria, plaque, tartar and other debris.
Once cleaned, we smooth the tooth roots, which helps the gums to reattach and makes it harder for plaque to restick. Root planing helps to encourage the healing of inflamed gums.
In advanced cases, you may require more extensive surgical treatments. One option is flap surgery, where the gums are gently lifted away from the teeth using lots of local anaesthetic to allow for deep cleaning. The gums are then stitched back into place. In some cases, when the gum disease has severely damaged the bone, teeth will become loose and mobile and may need to be extracted and replaced. If sufficient bone remains, implants can be placed or other options for tooth replacement can be explored.
Other gum treatments include soft tissue grafts to cover exposed roots, or bone grafting to rebuild areas where periodontitis has caused bone loss, although this has unpredictable success rates. These procedures aim to restore health and periodontal stability and prevent further deterioration.
At CDIC, we believe that prevention and monitoring are key to maintaining periodontal health and preserving oral hygiene. Actively maintaining a healthy smile is simple with a combination of correct home dental care and routine visits with our oral hygiene therapy team.
We welcome all new patients from across Melbourne looking for the highest standard of regular dental care. Book a consultation today for a periodontal risk assessment and have your gums and health evaluated for long-term wellbeing.
As CDIC’s leading Dental Surgeon, Dr Hillel New has been providing exceptional dental care for over 34 years, building a reputation for providing quality, pain-free treatments in cosmetic and implant dentistry. Dr New’s expertise sees him regularly called on to identify and troubleshoot problems many people experience with their dental treatments.
His treatment philosophy centres around a commitment to evidence-based dentistry, and he believes in effective communication as the key to treatment success and long-term relationships with his patients.
With over three decades of experience, Dr New has seen it all and is passionate about coming up with the perfect solution for every patient. Here are just a few of the happy smiles he’s helped create.
Check out our range of teeth replacement options.
Our active maintenance appointments begin at $220. These appointments include comprehensive removal of calculus/tartar, fluoride therapy, plaque and stain removal, and prevention of further decay. Our active maintenance also includes EMS AIRFLOW®, an advanced machine that uses Guided Biofilm Therapy, which is the latest technology in preventative dental care and more comfortable than other dental cleans.
Periodontal disease can be stopped when caught early. The initial stage of gum disease (gingivitis) is reversible with good oral hygiene and professional cleanings. However, advanced periodontitis will cause permanent damage, but can be managed to prevent further bone loss with treatments like deep cleaning. Early detection is crucial!
To prevent periodontal disease, maintain good oral hygiene practices, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily, using antibacterial mouthwash, and going to the dentist for a regular checkup and clean (active maintenance). It is also beneficial to maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking, which increases the risk of gum infections.
Mon: 8.30 – 17.30
Tue: 8.30 – 17.30
Wed: 8.30 – 17.30
Thu: 8.30 – 17:30
Fri: 8.30 – 17:00
Sat: closed
Sun: closed
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