Periodontics in Philadelphia

Periodontics is a dental specialty focusing on the care and treatment of the structures supporting the teeth, including the jawbone, gums, and ligaments surrounding the teeth. Periodontists treat diseases and damage to the gums and bone, a specialized area of dental care requiring three additional years of training after dental school.

Why Do I Need a Periodontist?

Diseases of the gums affect your overall oral health. Left untreated, gingivitis and other problems can lead to infection, cavities, tooth loss, and damage to the jawbone. As periodontists, we treat these problems and provide periodontal maintenance to prevent the recurrence of periodontal disease, helping you keep your gums healthy and your teeth properly supported.

Some individuals are prone to gum disease due to genetic issues or have difficulty keeping gingivitis at bay, particularly after initial treatment for periodontitis. For these patients, routine dental cleanings are not enough. Regular periodontal cleaning, which removes bacteria from deep within the gum pockets surrounding the teeth, may be needed several times yearly.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is the result of unhealthy gums. If the gums begin to recede or become red and swollen, it is likely the result of gingivitis or gum disease. In the early stages, periodontal disease causes bad breath, discomfort, and an unappealing smile. In the later stages, the bone supporting the teeth deteriorates.

Dental plaque (the sticky film that develops on your teeth due to food particles and bacteria) is the leading cause of gingivitis, eventually leading to gum disease. Over time, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets in the gums that harbor bacteria. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and serious infection that spreads to the jawbone.

Periodontal Therapy

At Laudenbach Periodontics & Dental Implants, we take a conservative approach to treating periodontal issues. Whenever possible, we use non-invasive treatment methods to treat gingivitis, periodontitis, and other gum issues. In some cases, if surgery is required due to the progressive nature of periodontitis, we use periodontal therapies to improve gum health before surgery.

Many periodontal therapies improve the health and appearance of the gums, including:

• Crown lengthening
• Gum tissue grafting
• Gingivectomy
• Bone & tissue regeneration
• Gum tissue growth gel & proteins
• Frenectomy
• Cosmetic gum surgery
• Osseous surgery

Laser Gum Therapy

Laser therapy for gum disease is a cutting-edge treatment for periodontal disease that is less invasive than traditional surgery. Patients have minimal if any, pain or bleeding and recover more quickly following laser gum therapy. There are a variety of ways laser therapy can improve gum appearance and health by rejuvenating gum tissue and encouraging reattachment to the teeth, contouring the gums, and treating a wide range of conditions, from oral ulcers to TMJ pain.

Preventive Care

To prevent the recurrence of periodontal disease and maintain healthy teeth and gums, we offer our patients several levels of preventive periodontal care. Prophylaxis, a form of deep cleaning, scaling and root planing, and periodontal maintenance, all inhibit the return of gum disease and encourage reattachment of the gums to the teeth’s roots.

Our preventive care options include the following:

• Deep teeth cleaning
• Periodontal maintenance
• Scaling and root planing
• Arestin (an antibiotic applied to the gum pockets)
• Oral hygiene
• Oral cancer exams
• Bite adjustment

If you need gum disease treatment, gum contouring, or periodontal maintenance, please contact us, and we will schedule your appointment as soon as possible. You can call our office at Philadelphia Office Phone Number 215-985-4337 or use our easy online appointment request form.