Periodontics in College Park

Chronic gum disease starts with gingivitis, an infection and inflammation of the gums. Early signs and symptoms include redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding. Gingivitis can be reversed with proper treatment from a gum disease expert. However, untreated gingivitis can progress to the more severe periodontitis. This condition will cause the gums to separate from the teeth, leaving them unprotected. Permanent tooth loss can occur as a result of periodontitis.

What Services Can I Get from a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who has trained to become a gum disease specialist. They primarily treat gingivitis, periodontitis, and other diseases of the gums, but they also treat the periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and other structures around the teeth.

How Do Periodontists Treat Gum Disease?

Most patients see a periodontist for treatment of gum diseases. Untreated gum disease is a serious problem, but it can be prevented with proper oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing every day will reduce plaque buildup, which is a major contributor to gum disease. Plaque provides a habitat for bacteria, which subsequently migrate onto the teeth and gums. This can cause the breakdown of these tissues and even result in tooth loss.

Does a Periodontist Offer Dental Implant Services?

If a tooth has been lost to decay or gum disease, it can be replaced with a dental implant. At College Park Dental, a periodontist can show you a variety of implants that are available. Most dental implants consist of an artificial tooth that is mounted to a shaft. This shaft is inserted into the tooth socket, where it eventually becomes integrated into the bone.

How Do Periodontists Lengthen Crowns?

Crown lengthening is a procedure that a periodontist in College Park will perform as preparation for the mounting of braces, partial dentures, or tooth caps. If the gumline is interfering with these procedures, a periodontist can shorten the gumline to create more space on the natural crown of the tooth. This will make it easier to mount the caps, dentures, or braces.

Can Periodontists Perform Surgery for Gummy Smiles?

If a patient is unhappy with their gummy smile, our periodontists can surgically move the gumline to create an appearance that is more to the patient's liking. This is known as gum contouring. If you think gum contouring might be right for you, schedule an appointment at our office to talk to a skilled periodontist in College Park.

How Does Gum Grafting Work?

If the tooth and surrounding bone are left exposed, gum grafts could be an option. This procedure consists of procuring tissue grafts from other parts of the gums and grafting them to the area where the recession has occurred. Gum grafts drastically cut down on the risk of bone loss and tooth decay.

Can a Periodontist Provide Oral Cancer Treatment?

One of a periodontists most serious tasks is the treatment of oral cancer. The rates of oral cancer have been going up, and a growing share of the cases are linked to HPV. A gum disease specialist at our periodontics office can get a conclusive diagnosis by taking a sample of tissue and sending it to a pathology lab for a biopsy. Our periodontist can help you decide on a course of treatment should the test come back positive.

We strive to make your procedure as pleasant as possible, which is why our team is familiar with methods of pain reduction. These include laughing gas as well as topical anesthetics that are injected directly into the gums. Our goal is to take the discomfort out of dentistry and periodontics in College Park.

Come See Our Gum Specialist in College Park

Healthy gums are essential for a healthy mouth and a happy smile. Call College Park Dental today at (301) 238-7083 to schedule an appointment with a gum disease expert. We are passionate about providing the best periodontal services in College Park.