Our Periodontal Treatment Protocol
At Cosmetic Dentists Houston, we believe that your oral and overall health begins with healthy gums. Your periodontal condition will be thoroughly evaluated during your initial visit and will be monitored closely during each subsequent comprehensive oral wellness exam.
Dr. Amanda Canto takes any signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease very seriously and has developed a complete periodontal treatment protocol, incorporating the newest technology and training. Our highly trained and laser-certified hygienists use laser-assisted therapy to kill bacteria that cause disease. This therapy cuts down on the amount of bacteria in your mouth which, in turn, allows your body to heal faster and better.
During your initial visit, our team will consult with you and you will be examined and educated by our dental hygienist.
During Your Visit…
- Digital x-rays are taken, which help to detect signs of periodontal disease hidden below the gum-line.
- Depth of gum pockets around each tooth are each carefully measured and recorded.
- Any trouble-spots or deep pockets are noted and will be discussed with you.
If we find signs of gingivitis or gum recession, you will be advised on various treatments and healing options. These go far beyond brushing and flossing – we call it “Gum Therapy!” Your personal periodontal advice will be included in a comprehensive wellness plan, which is designed to strengthen your gums and teeth by boosting your overall health and well-being.
- For gum recession, we will educate you as well as offer suggestions for treatment and damage control.
- For tooth grinding or clenching, a common cause of gum recession, we cover everything from stress relief to mouth-guards.
- To combat gum inflammation and infection, we discuss nutritional supplements and diet to antibiotics.
If we find more advanced periodontal disease, your treatment plan may require advanced non-surgical treatments such as:
- Deep cleaning, including root planing and scaling, to remove hardened plaque beneath the gums
- “Gum Lifts” to reduce the space between the teeth and gum, limiting the area where bacteria can grow
- Laser-assisted therapy to ensure the deepest level of clean with little to no pain and no recovery down-time
The Benefits of Laser-Assisted Therapy:
Our laser-certified registered hygienists perform laser-assisted therapy as part of a specialized periodontal treatment. Laser cleanings vaporize the diseased tissue in the gums that turn into tartar buildup and cause gingivitis and periodontitis, promoting regeneration and encouraging gums to “regrow” tightly around your teeth. Laser cleaning is a great option for people already suffering from periodontitis or gum disease because it reduces the pain associated with getting a thorough, deep cleaning and is deeper and more thorough than a traditional cleaning. You can have your teeth cleaned and go right back to work after because there’s no painful recovery time. Less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort mean a better experience overall.
We always do everything in our power to avoid surgery, but for patients who require surgery or more advanced periodontal treatments which require the expertise of a periodontal surgeon, we will make a referral as necessary. We collaborate with the best specialists in the city of Houston when advanced therapy or surgery are needed, including:
- Severe Periodontal disease therapy
- Gum surgery
- Bone grafting and regeneration
- Tissue grafting
- Pocket depth reduction (“gum flap surgery”)
Risk Factors of Gum Disease
Why Do We Get Gum Disease?
Dr. Amanda Canto, DDS takes gingivitis and periodontal disease very seriously and makes thorough gum care check-ups a significant part of her comprehensive wellness exams. See our Periodontal Treatment Protocol at Cosmetic Dentists of Houston for more.
Oral Hygiene (Of Course!) Makes a Difference
Brushing, flossing, and regular oral wellness exams will help reduce the amount of plaque as well as the changes of gingivitis. However, there are many other factors, such as diet and genetics to be considered when finding out if you are a susceptible to gum disease.
Other Risk Factors of Gum Disease
Roughly 30% of the general population is genetically inclined to gum disease. This does not mean it is inevitable! But it is likely that the extra care you take now will make a big difference in the future. Gum care education is essential to your long-term oral health, especially if you have a family history of gum disease.
The bacteria that causes plaque in your mouth and periodontal disease thrives on acid and acid-causing foods! Therefore, we recommend a low-sugar, high-antioxidant, more alkaline diet to help balance and restore the proper pH level in your blood and your complete oral environment.
They say stress can kill you, and it certainly can affect your gum health! When under high levels of stress, your immune system becomes weakened, making it harder for the body to fight against bacterial infections. Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection.
Old fillings and crowns that have broken down or have been improperly contoured can become traps for plaque and debris, breeding grounds for unhealthy bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to gum disease.
Certain medications can cause “dry mouth” or a reduction of salivary flow. This decrease in saliva leaves your mouth susceptible to an increase of bacteria that causes gum disease, as well as cavities.
Because of hormonal changes, women are more susceptible to gum problems than men. In fact, more than 75% of periodontal visits are women.
Have you ever heard someone say they had perfect teeth until they were over 40, and then they all fell out? That’s right – that would be gum disease. The two primary periodontal bacterias, T. denticola P. gingivalis, are rare in young children and teenagers but tend to increase significantly as people age. Some studies indicate that roughly 25% of people over age 70 have lost teeth as a result of gum disease.
Need another great reason to quit? Over 20 years of research has shown that smoking cigarettes is a serious risk factor for chronic destructive periodontal disease. Smoking contributes significantly to the destruction of gum tissue, attachment and bone loss, and pocket formation in addition to reducing your oral healing potential, causing a chronic unhealthy gum condition that can lead to tooth loss.
“Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor associated with chronic destructive periodontal disease. No other known factor can match the strength of smoking in causing harm to the periodontium (supporting gum tissue)”
Take Care of Your Gums
Call 713-622-1977 or come visit our Houston office for a Comprehensive Periodontal Health Consultation and to learn more about our comprehensive gingivitis and gum disease protocol. Get all your oral health and cosmetic dentistry questions answered by the expert clinicians at Cosmetic Dentists of Houston.