Surgical and Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatments

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, it is important to consider the various treatment options and to make a decision about whether to have surgical or non-surgical gum disease treatments to restore your gum health. The decision you make is going to directly impact the recovery outcome. There are several things to keep in mind when making this decision.

How bad is the gum disease?

Gum disease can range from being minor to severe. If we can catch the gum disease at an early stage, non-invasive methods are typically all that is necessary to treat the condition. Having a deep dental cleaning, for example, can restore the health of the gum tissue. Some dental offices do this using metal dental tools to scrape off the plaque while others use dental lasers.

We will remove the plaque and tartar from underneath the gum tissue so that the gums can begin returning to good health. If effective, there will be no need for more intensive treatments such as oral surgery.

Have all non-invasive measures been tried yet?

Since a deep cleaning can help to improve gum health, it is wise to start with this treatment option. If the non-invasive measures are effective enough for restoring the health of the gums, there will be no need to try more invasive measures. Non-invasive options can result in saving cost and time, so it is important to exhaust these non-invasive methods first.

Have pockets formed in the gum tissue?

If there are pockets in the gum tissue, it is a clear sign that gum disease has progressed to the point of a surgical option becoming necessary. A gum graft is likely to be the best treatment option at this point. By suturing new tissue to the natural gums, we can secure the gums around the teeth. This way, the lower areas of the teeth and roots are no longer exposed.

Preventing root exposure is a critical step in the restoration process and important for protecting the teeth and preventing tooth loss. Typically, surgery is part of this process. However, some dentists are using alternative therapies to restore gum tissue that does not require a scalpel.

Are teeth wiggly or feeling loose?

If teeth are already loose, gum disease has probably progressed to the point where immediate treatments are going to be necessary and surgery required. Additionally, the teeth themselves may need to be restored, root canals completed, etc. in order to eliminate an infection.

What does the dentist recommend?

Asking a dentist if they recommend surgery or non-surgical treatment is important when making a decision on how to treat gum disease. They are going to make the recommendation that they feel will best resolve the issue so it is important to carefully consider any advice that they give.

Consider the recovery process

When debating between surgery and non-surgical alternatives, it is important to consider the recovery process. Anytime a patient undergoes surgery it is going to take longer to recover, there could be complications and there will be a level of discomfort for several days.

Gum surgery is no different. Before it is scheduled, it is necessary to prepare by taking time off work and planning to take it easy for a few days.

Learn more about your options

Get help deciding between surgical and non-surgical gum disease treatment options by discussing them with our dentist. Schedule a consultation today in order to do so.

A Family Dentist in Green Brook Debunks Common Oral Health Myths

As a family dentist in Green Brook, we are asked many questions about oral health. Often, these questions arise from common myths that circulate from time to time. The problem with myths is that many of them are born out of convenience or from popular ideas that are not particularly healthy.

Do not hesitate to ask us any questions

It is important for patients to visit us and bring up any questions they have to ensure they have the facts straight. For example, many parents will send their children to bed with a bottle or cup of milk. Since milk is full of calcium, they assume that milk is safe for the teeth.

However, milk is also full of sugar, so if a child takes it to bed, the sugar will remain on the teeth and increase the risk of getting cavities. This popular myth is widespread and partially to blame for why baby bottle tooth decay is so prevalent. With that in mind, we have listed a few common myths we hear and our answers to them.

Myth: Fillings have to be replaced, no matter what.

As a family dentist, we do not put a set expiration date on fillings. How long the fillings last depends on several factors, including one's general oral hygiene. If one brushes and flosses his or her teeth, eats a healthy diet, and avoids activities that can damage the teeth, then the fillings can last for a long time. Some people never have to replace their fillings.

However, simply filling a cavity, does not mean the decay will stop. There are times where the decay continues to spread and we need to replace a filling because it is no longer big enough. When a patient visits our office for regular dental exams, we will inspect the fillings and let the patient know how the fillings are holding up.

Myth: Cavities are painful.

If cavities grow untreated, they will eventually cause discomfort and even pain. However, in their early stages, cavities can go undetected. As a family dentist office, we encourage patients to visit us twice a year so we can both prevent and catch cavities. If we treat them immediately, the patient will never experience cavity-related discomfort.

Myth: Only cavities and infections create the need for a root canal.

In our dental office, we perform root canals for a variety of reasons. While they are typically necessary due to a cavity, root canals can also treat damage from an accident or due to grinding and clenching teeth. Regardless of why a patient needs a root canal, we can complete the procedure while keeping the patient entirely comfortable.

Myth: Children are the only ones really at risk of getting cavities.

This is simply not the case. Anyone can get a cavity, regardless of age. In fact, we have seen more seniors getting cavities due to dry mouth caused by medications. Regardless of how old you are, it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.