What is Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease or gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, ligaments and bone that support the teeth and anchor the jaw. The bacteria which act mainly on certain carbohydrates in our diets are normal inhabitants in our mouths, living in a thin film called plaque. If this plaque is left undisturbed, it may eventually harden into tartar a hard mineral shell. When plaque builds on the tartar surface, it irrates and erodes healthy gun tissue. This early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. If left untreated, pockets begin to form between the teeth and gum tissues. When supporting bone becomes badly eroded, tooth loss can result. This stage is called periodontitis.

How can Periodontal Disease affect me?

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While most people do not think that this disease affects them, over 75% of adults over 35 years of age show signs and symptoms of this disease.

Recent studies have shown a possible link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory in support of this is that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease enter the bloodstream and promote blood cots and narrowing of the arteries that cause heart attacks.

It has also been shown that a women, who developes severe periodontal disease during pregency, is more likely to give birth to a low weight infant. Research is now linking periodontal disease to other health problems as well.

Gingival Grafting surgery for root coverage

From the examination of your mouth we have found that you may benefit from a procedure to treat areas where the roots of the teeth become exposed. The procedure can help to cover the exposed roots as well as to provide a zone of dense tough tissue to prevent further recession or future recession of your gums. Coverage of the roots may reduce root sensitivity, reduce the risk of root decay and enhance appearance. Failure to correct the problem could leave you at risk for additional gum recession and root decay, as well as sensitivity.

Periodontal Surgery for Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure designed to increase the amount of tooth structure visible above the bone and gum. It is necessary when a tooth has fractured close to or below the gum line or when a filling margins or cavity is too far below the gum line for access to properly restore the tooth.

Surgical exposure of teeth for Orthodontic Treatment

You have been referred to our office for surgical exposure of teeth to facilitate orthodontic treatment. This is a common and routine procedure usually completed with local anesthetic. This rationale for exposure of the teeth will have been reviewed with you already by your orthodontist and by the doctors at Langley Periodontics at your initial examination. Generally we request that the preliminary orthodontic appliances be in place prior to the surgical exposure appointments. The surgical procedures last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the number of teeth to be exposed and their difficulty.

Information for Ridge Preservation / Augmentation Procedure

Unfortunately advanced periodontal disease, tooth fractures, or other types of abscesses may cause severe bone loss around a tooth or teeth may ultimately require that they be extracted. Usually when a tooth is extracted, healing occurs by a combination of “shrinkage” of the remaining extraction socket bone, and some bone growth from the base of the extraction site. The result can often be loss of bone where the tooth used to be and a depression in the remaining ridge of bone.

Information on Periodontal and Implant Surgery in Cosmetically Sensitive Areas

After careful oral examination by Dr. Fulton, and/or your restorative dentist, periodontal surgery / implants have been recommended in the anterior (front) regions of your mouth to facilitate further dental and restorative management. The healing of surgical procedures is not an exact science and although we will do our utmost to achieve an ultimate result for you, no absolute guarantees as to the final result can be made.

Gingival (Gum) Grafts

Gingival Grafts are generally recommended in cases where there is a need to increase the amount of hard, tough gum tissue next to the teeth. This tissue is generally present around most of you teeth.  It is like the gum tissue on the roof of your mouth which is strong and firmly attached to the bone underneath. Some areas of the mouth naturally have lesser amounts of this tissue type.  Sometimes gum recession or too-heavy tooth brushing may decrease or eliminate the amount of this tissue present.  In that case, the tissue remaining the mucosal tissue. Mucosa is the delicate, thin mobile tissue that lines the inside of your cheeks and lips.