Periodontal Care

We encourage you to come see Drs. Steven and Randy if you have noticed any changes in your gum health. Early diagnosis and treatment will help our dentists control the infection and restore your healthy smile. Call 801-763-7737 and arrange a periodontal evaluation if you suspect you have gum disease in American Fork, Utah, or one of the nearby areas.

We check for signs of periodontal disease every time you come in for your scheduled cleanings. Our dentist and dental hygienist are able to diagnose this during your examination. We use a periodontal probe to measure the pocket between your tooth and your gums. This helps us indicate if signs of periodontal disease are in progress. We track this each time you come in so we know if these pockets are getting deeper than they should be. If you show signs of periodontal disease, we need to treat it. This is not something that will heal on its own and will only get worse.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

There are different stages of periodontal disease. When using a probe, we look for depth, gum bleeding, inflammation, and tooth mobility. This tells us which stage your teeth are currently in and allows us to treat you accordingly.

• Gingivitis is the first stage and it occurs when plaque irritates your gums. This irritation results in inflammation and bleeding.
• Periodontitis is the second stage. This happens when plaque is allowed to harden and turn into tartar. As tartar builds up, your gums will begin to recede away from your teeth, resulting in deeper pockets. These pockets are now susceptible to bacteria and pus. Your gums will show signs of irritation, inflammation and will bleed very easily. You are also at risk for bone loss in your jaw.
• Advanced Periodontitis is the third stage of this dental disease. It results in your teeth losing support as your gums, bone, and natural periodontal ligament are destroyed. When left untreated, your teeth will become loose and fall out. You also risk severe bone loss in your jaw.

Treatment For Periodontal Disease

Although the explanation of the different stages of this disease sound alarming, there are treatments to restore your oral health that are highly effective. The treatment method is determined by the severity and stage your teeth are in. We will thoroughly evaluate your teeth and gums before recommending the appropriate treatment.

When caught in the early stages of gingivitis, we can prevent any long term damage with one or two cleanings. We will also advise you on how to take care of your teeth between appointments to avoid facing this disease again. If it has progressed due to neglect, we use a cleaning method called scaling and root planning. This is basically a deep cleaning that is done in each quadrant of your mouth. Deep cleaning allows us to remove tartar, plaque and toxins from below the gum line and smooth out the surface of your teeth. After this is done, your gum tissue will heal and the look of recession will go away. There are specific medications, mouth rinses, and electric toothbrushes that we can recommend in controlling and healing an infection. If scaling and root planning is not enough, we can perform periodontal surgery to reduce pocket depths and make it easier to clean your teeth. You will need to have dental cleanings done about four times a year. This is so we can remove plaque and calculus that does not come off through brushing.

Our examinations are always very thorough because we know how important it is to catch issues early and treat them. In addition to a cleaning and evaluation, you can also expect the following during your appointment:

Digital X-Rays: These help us detect signs of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss below the gum line.

Restorations: If you have any crowns, fillings or implants, we check to make sure they are in good shape.

Tooth Decay: Even if you come in because of issues with a single tooth, we still check all of the surfaces of your teeth for signs of decay.

Oral Cancer screening: Aside from your teeth, we check your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, cheek tissue, and gums for signs of oral cancer. This is something that can be effectively treated when caught early.

Oral Hygiene: Based on the current health of your teeth and gums, we recommend certain kinds of toothbrushes, fluorides and rinses.

Polishing: Teeth polishing is done during every cleaning appointment. It removes stains and plaque that tend to build up between check ups.

If you think your teeth are showing signs of periodontal disease, the best thing you can do for your oral health is come in for an examination. Checking your teeth is painless and x-rays are done quickly. No matter what state your teeth and gums are in, we can treat them and restore your oral health.