Gum disease is a very serious threat to oral health. If left unchecked, gum disease can attack the ligaments and tissues that support teeth, causing teeth to loosen, shift, and eventually fall out. With intervention, however, gum disease can be managed. One option for treating gum disease is surgery, yet many people are averse to surgery and would like to know more about other options. Below, your Allen dentist, Dr. Marco Cueva, explores those options by taking a closer look at gum surgery alternatives.
Scaling and Root Planing
If you want to know the source of gum disease, look no farther than bacteria. Gum disease often begins with the presence of bacteria on teeth near the gum line. These bacteria inflame the gums, resulting in gingivitis. However, as the body attempts to fight against the infection, the bacteria responsible for gingivitis actually inhibit the immune system, allowing gingivitis to progress into periodontitis. A more damaging form of gum disease, periodontitis attacks tissues and ligaments and often results in the development of bacteria-filled pockets between the teeth and gums.
To treat periodontitis, bacteria must be removed so that they cannot attack teeth-supporting tissues and ligaments. To remove these bacteria, your Allen dentist, Dr. Cueva may perform a scaling and root planing as a gum surgery alternative. This procedure removes bacteria from the base of teeth and smoothes the teeth’s roots to allow the gums to reattach to the teeth.
Local Antibiotic Treatment
As another gum surgery alternative, your Allen dentist, Dr. Cueva, offers local antibiotic treatment. Following scaling and root planing, Dr. Cueva can administer the antibiotic to a specific area in chip, powder, or gel form. The antibiotic encourages healing following a scaling and root planing and requires no bandages.
Schedule a Visit with Your Allen Dentist
Are you struggling with unhealthy gums? Your Allen dentist, Dr. Cueva, can help you in your fight against gum disease. Contact our 75013 dental office to schedule an appointment or a consultation by calling 972-390-9944. We welcome patients from Allen, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Fairview, Murphy, Wylie, Lewisville, Carrolton, and surrounding communities.
