A Guide To The Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal “gum” disease is a common yet serious gum infection. There are several causes but the most common one is poor oral and dental hygiene.

It is also called periodontitis. You may have read or heard of it, especially when discussing dental health.

When left untreated, it can destroy the bone that supports the teeth. This is because the bacteria stick into the root of a tooth under the gum line. When this happens, it may lead to loose teeth and even tooth loss.

This is why it should be addressed as soon as you are diagnosed with periodontal disease. Usually, the most effective solution is surgery. But, there are also some other ways to resolve the matter, and that is by utilizing non-surgical periodontal therapy treatments.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

If you are thinking of ways to resolve your periodontal disease in a non-surgical manner, these are the available options you have. Keep in mind, though, that it is best if you consult with your dentist to determine which therapy treatment will be the most fitting one for your condition.

• Scaling & Root Planing

The most basic ways to take care of periodontal disease are scaling and root planing. These are deemed as the initial therapy treatments that involve removing tartar at and below the gum line.

Unlike standard dental cleanings, scaling is a deeper and more extensive cleaning treatment. It is the first step to the overall treatment process as it clears the way for a much deeper cleaning treatment.

Consequently, root planing focuses on cleaning and removing the plaque and build-up below the gum line. During the process, your dentist will place you under local anesthesia to numb the area in question.

All in all, scaling and root planing are the first steps that your dentist will do to treat the disease. This is ideal if the disease is detected at a much earlier period.

• Locally Delivered Antibiotics

Another non-surgical way to treat periodontal disease is the direct delivery of antibiotics to the site in question. This is usually done when there is already a moderate bone breakdown and abscess formation.

During the treatment, the antibiotic will be increased in its concentration to quickly attack the bacteria that causes the damage and infection. In most cases, patients who have a single moderate deep pocket, this therapy treatment is effective in “repairing” the site following the delivery of the anesthesia. It is worth noting, however, that “repairing” in this equation does not equate to regeneration and remodeling.

Experts also warn that this should not be taken as an alternative to surgeries for periodontitis. If the condition is already serious or above moderate, then, this is not the ideal option of treatment.

• Occlusal Splinting

Occlusal splinting mainly involves the bonding of anterior teeth. This is to provide stabilization in the cross arch.

However, experts warn that this is just a temporary fix, especially if the goal is to simply retain the “hopeless teeth” for as long as possible. It is only a treatment to “buy some time,” allowing the patient and dentist to come up with a more effective and permanent solution to periodontal disease.

There are cases, as well, that dental experts would do the occlusal splinting before starting the permanent treatment. This usually happens when there are other dental concerns and issues that need fixing first, before going deeper under the gum line.

• Laser Therapy

Laser periodontal therapy is one of the most innovative and latest treatments to resolve periodontitis in a non-surgical way. However, not many dental experts recommend this option because there are reportedly inadequacies in the research part of the therapy treatment.

In short, the long-term results remain inconclusive. Accordingly, it makes total sense why many dentists are not comfortable in suggesting this treatment.

Nevertheless, the popularity of laser therapy is becoming more apparent these days. You can also buy lasers for sale from https://mrp.io/blog/category/used-lasers-for-Sale. It will likely be a matter of time before it can become another proven effective non-surgical way to treat periodontal disease.

• Tray Delivery Systems

Last but not the least is the tray delivery system. It is similar to fluoride tray treatment, which is traditionally utilized for preventing and resolving tooth decay. In the case of the tray delivery systems, though, it focuses more on the custom-fit tray made for each tooth in question, and from the impressions of the patient’s mouth.

Despite having clearance from the FDA, the listing did not reportedly provide any specific information on whether a distinct medication utilized has been proven to be 100 percent effective in treating gum disease or infection. Hence, experts still recommend for patients to discuss their thoughts and concerns with their respective dentists about the matter.

Conclusion

Periodontal disease is a concern that should be addressed as soon as possible. It should not be taken lightly because it may lead to more serious and critical issues relating to the holistic health of a patient.

It is worth noting that this gum infection is silent. Unlike other dental concerns, you will never know when it hits you because there is no accompanying pain.

You can only determine if you have gum disease when you visit your dentist regularly and have a recurring schedule of dental cleaning. By doing this, aside from knowing when you have one, you can effectively prevent the infection, and the further spread.

In the end, always talk to your dentist about your concerns. Make sure to disclose anything that you feel or notice, especially if it involves your gums.