Successful Treatments for Advanced Gum Disease on Long Island

Your periodontist near you can help with advanced gum disease treatment.

If you are one of the millions of people that suffer from advanced periodontal or gum disease, you know how frustrating and embarrassing it can be. Advanced gum disease is a common oral health issue caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar that irritates and inflames the gums. This inflammation and irritation lead to the progressive destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. This looks like deep pockets between the teeth and gums, loose teeth, and eventual tooth loss.

Even if you have tried several treatments that do not seem to work, Dr. Farber and his team at Farber Center for Periodontics and Dental Implants on Long Island can help. With early diagnosis and prompt treatment, advanced gum disease can be effectively managed, and the progression of the disease can be stopped! With scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, regenerative procedures, and plasma therapy, we can get your smile in top shape again. 

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are deep cleaning procedures that remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots, both above and below the gum line. This is your first line of defense against advanced gum disease and is often the first treatment you’ll receive. Your periodontist may use a local anesthetic to numb the area of your gums before starting the procedure. 

Scaling and root planing help to reduce the pockets between the teeth and gums, also reducing the number of bacteria. Root planing eliminates dark spots at the root of your teeth, where bacteria can hide. It also helps to smooth the root surfaces of the teeth, which makes it more difficult for bacteria to reattach and form new plaque deposits. 

LANAP

LANAP, or Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is one of the most successful treatments available for gum disease. LANAP targets the source of inflammation without harming or removing healthy tissue. This procedure slows or stops your gums from detaching from your teeth and decreases pocket depth due to gum disease. LANAP is also the only treatment that promotes bone re-growth and the reattachment of gum tissue, promising true periodontal regeneration. LANAP also allows your body to begin recovering from chronic oral infection without the invasive recovery of stitches or other procedures. 

Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation

The Pinhole surgical technique for gum rejuvenation is another minimally invasive technique to treat gum recession caused by periodontitis. This technique is an advanced, minimally invasive technique for root coverage. Gum recession causes more exposure of the tooth or the tooth root. While traditional surgery requires larger incisions and may require multiple visits, the pinhole surgical technique uses small pinholes to loosen the gum tissue. Your periodontist at the Farber Center for Periodontics and Dental Implants will mobilize the tissue and use it to cover your exposed roots. Collagen strips are then placed under the soft tissue to help stabilize it. This technique is simple, and the recovery is much faster than traditional techniques. 

Regenerative Procedures

Regenerative procedures like bone grafting or soft tissue grafts are other treatments that can be used to treat advanced gum disease. These procedures help to regenerate the lost supporting structures of the teeth to restore the natural anatomy of the gums. In both procedures, bone or soft tissue is taken from another area of the mouth or body and used to restore the gums. 

A bone graft will take a sample of bone from another area of the body and place it on the area of gum disease. This new bone will help to stimulate the growth of new, healthy tissue and support the affected teeth. 

A soft tissue graft will take tissue from another area of the mouth, such as the palate, and transplant it to the affected area. Soft tissue grafts help to restore the height of the gum line and reduce the depth of pockets around the teeth. This helps to reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and helps to prevent your gum disease from progressing further. 

Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy

To regenerate gum tissue and reduce inflammation, your advanced gum disease may benefit from platelet-rich plasma therapy. This is a three-step process that uses a blood sample to concentrate the platelets to inject into the gums. As periodontal disease can separate the gum tissue from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can form, platelet-rich plasma therapy can help to close these pockets and reduce the risk of further damage. 

While advanced gum disease is a serious oral health issue that can lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems if left untreated, it is something that can be treated successfully! With early diagnosis and treatment, the progression of your gum disease can be halted, and the teeth that have been affected by gum disease can be saved. 

Some of the most effective treatments for advanced gum disease include scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, regenerative procedures, and platelet-rich plasma therapy. Each of these treatments will depend on the individual case and severity of the disease. At Farber Center for Periodontics and Dental Implants, we will also consider your overall oral health before developing a treatment plan that is best for you. If you suspect you have advanced gum disease, seeking prompt treatment from your periodontist in Long Island is important.