Gum Disease Treatment in Philadelphia, PA

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease (commonly referred to as "gum disease") is a bacterial infection of the gums that develops in the gingival pockets, along the surfaces of the teeth.

Periodontal disease can develop as a result of neglected oral hygiene and dental care. Some patients are also at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease due to other health conditions (such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease), hormonal changes, chronic dry mouth, or certain medications. 

Periodontal Disease Signs and Symptoms

When a bacterial infection first begins to develop, periodontal disease might not cause any noticeable symptoms, and you might not find out that you have gum disease until you visit the dentist for a checkup. 

Often, however, gum disease causes the following initial symptoms:

• Red, swollen gums
• Tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Persistent bad breath

As periodontal disease progresses, patients might notice the additional signs and symptoms:

• Gum recession
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pus between the teeth or in the gums

In more severe cases of periodontal disease, the infection reaches deep below the gum tissues, leading to the following oral health problems:

• Degeneration of the periodontal ligaments (structures that support the teeth)
• Degeneration of the jawbone
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Tooth loss
• Bite changes (changes in the way the teeth fit together)

The Importance of Treating and Managing Periodontal Disease

As you can see, gum disease can lead to several painful and unpleasant oral health symptoms. It can also impact the general health of your body. Left untreated, gum disease can increase your risk of several systemic health conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Certain types of cancer
• Chronic respiratory infections
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Generalized inflammation
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Reproductive problems

While prevention is the best approach to gum disease, treatment and management to reverse or arrest the infection do exist. 

Can You Cure Periodontal Disease? Understanding the Stages of Gum Disease

Whether or not gum disease is considered curable or chronic depends on the stage of the infection at the time of diagnosis. There are four basic stages of gum disease:

1. Gingivitis - During the earliest stage of gum disease, patients might notice their gums looking a little inflamed or bleeding when they floss. However, gingivitis is most often detected by dental hygienists and dentists during routine dental cleanings and examinations. This is the only stage of gum disease that can be completely reversed and cured, and that's just one of the reasons why it's important to visit the dentist for frequent checkups. 
2. Mild Periodontitis - In the second stage, the bacterial infection reaches deeper below the gum line, causing gum recession as the gingival pockets deepen. 
3. Moderate Periodontitis - In the next stage, the infection begins to impact the periodontal ligaments and jawbones. In this stage, patients begin experiencing more severe oral pain and sensitivity. 
4. Advanced Periodontitis - In the most advanced stage, the bacterial infection has done significant damage, degenerating the periodontal ligaments and jawbones. Additionally, severe gum recession has occurred. The teeth will become loose and can eventually fall out. 

Gum Disease Treatment Options and Approaches: Comprehensive Periodontal Treatment in Philadelphia

While some mild cases of gingivitis can be successfully addressed with more frequent dental hygiene appointments and modifications to your at-home oral hygiene routine, others require more advanced care, such as deeper cleanings or oral surgery.

At Derby Dental Group, we offer a comprehensive menu of treatments designed to reverse gingivitis and manage all stages of periodontitis, including:

• Scaling and Root Planing - A deep cleaning performed with local anesthetic, scaling and root planing reaches below the gum line to smooth out the tooth and root surfaces while removing plaque and tartar and locally sterilizing bacteria. 
• Antibiotics - Oral and topical antibiotics might be prescribed. Topicals can be administered during in-office procedures with local irrigation or at home with antibiotic gels and custom trays. 
• Periodontal Laser Treatment - Our soft tissue laser provides precision tissue removal and instantaneous sterilization.
• Pocket Reduction Surgery - In advanced cases, pocket reduction surgery might be necessary to minimize the areas that harbor harmful bacteria. This surgery involves making an incision in the gum tissue, smoothing out and sterilizing the root surfaces, and removing dead and diseased tissues, before securing the gum tissues back in place. 
• Reconstructive Surgery - When significant degeneration has occurred, we offer a variety of restorative treatments to help reconstruct and restore the patient's oral structures, including gum grafts and bone grafts for ridge augmentation and sinus lifts. These procedures might be necessary before further prosthodontic restoration with dental implants, bridges, or dentures can occur. 

Our periodontist can help you determine the treatment or combination of treatments that will best address your unique gum disease case. 

Which Treatment for Gum Disease Is Right for You?

Gum disease treatment requires a personalized treatment approach designed to address the individual patient's needs while helping them achieve their oral health goals. Your recommended treatment plan will be based on the stage of periodontitis present, the extend of the infection, your periodontal disease treatment history, your response to periodontal disease treatment, and your goals. 

How Much Does Periodontal Treatment Cost?

The cost of periodontal disease treatment can vary significantly, costing anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the infection, the recommended treatment plan, the number of teeth affected, and the extent of the treatment needed. Additionally, reconstructive and restorative treatments can add to the cost. 

Most dental insurance plans include coverage for periodontal disease treatment, as it is considered medically necessary. Our office team will be happy to provide you with a cost estimate for your treatment plan in addition to helping you navigate your insurance policy. 

Specialized Gum Treatment in Philadelphia With Our Experienced Periodontist

At Derby Dental Group, we provide our patients with highly specialized treatment approaches with educated and experienced dental care professionals, such as our prosthodontist and periodontist, Dr. Fernando Presser, and our prosthodontist, Dr. Yahan Derby. We specialize in offering personalized periodontal treatments for patients in need of gum disease prevention and gum disease treatment, in addition to reconstructive treatments and dental restorations. 

If you have been diagnosed with any stage of gum disease, we welcome you to contact our dental office in Philadelphia to explore the treatment options available to you. We can help you reverse gingivitis or address periodontitis to prevent it from progressing and worsening. Once your oral health is under control, we can work with you to restore the form, function, and beauty of your teeth and gums. To learn more or request an appointment with our periodontist, we invite you to contact Derby Dental Group today.