Periodontal disease, even in its severe stages, is frequently painless, making it challenging for patients to detect. While there are warning signals you may watch out for, it’s crucial to go for routine dental cleanings so your dentist can examine you for early warning symptoms.
Periodontal therapy is a broad term for a variety of gum disease treatments you might require if you’ve got a gum infection or any gum disease. These procedures are crucial for maintaining the health of your teeth and gums and minimizing tooth loss. Gum disease can be treated surgically or non-surgically. The optimal gum disease treatment option for you will depend on your particular requirements, but generally speaking, minimally invasive procedures are preferable whenever possible.
But for what purpose is this therapy used, and how can it improve oral health? What does the procedure include, and is there any discomfort? Below are the answers to all of these queries.
What is Periodontal Therapy?
A conservative or non-surgical form of treating gum disease is called periodontal therapy. Its objective is to prevent and treat periodontal diseases without any need for surgery. In the end, it aids in restoring ideal gum health, which prevents tooth loss.
Who would benefit from it the most?
The initial line of treatment for mild periodontitis is frequently periodontal therapy. A patient has at least one tooth with a 3 mm loss in gum attachment at this stage of gum disease.
Gingivitis can also be treated with this treatment. Since gingivitis just affects the gums, it differs from periodontitis. Gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease, though, if left untreated. Researchers discovered that mild chronic periodontitis responds well to periodontal treatment. Patients now have a non-surgical option for treating their gum problems.
What happens during Periodontal Maintenance?
Every periodontal therapy starts with a thorough dental cleaning. This cleaning is comparable to the one you receive from your dentist at regular checkups. This aids in removing the initial layer of plaque as well as tartar (hardened plaque) from the teeth. Then there are the specialist therapies for periodontal disease that is active.
Is there any discomfort?
Your dentist will apply a numbing chemical to the gums and tooth roots before performing the operations. You will feel numb throughout the procedure because of the local anesthesia’s quick-acting nature. Scaling or planning may be mildly uncomfortable for those with limited pain tolerance.
The therapy session may leave the treated area feeling numb for an additional hour or two. Once the anesthetic wears off, you can start to experience some discomfort or a little tenderness. Most of the time, these uncomfortable sensations go after a day or two.
How much does periodontal maintenance cost?
Your dentist will thoroughly clean the pocket during the early stage-gum disease periodontal cleaning process, removing tartar buildup after raising the gums to clean beneath them. To help the gums attach to the tooth more tightly, suturing next. Without insurance, the usual cost of this surgery ranges from $1000 to $3000.
What can you do after Therapy?
You can continue practicing good oral hygiene after periodontal therapy. This includes flossing and at least two minutes of brushing after each meal. Your gums can also return to their original state by eating meals rich in immune-boosting foods like fruits and vegetables.
Please be sure to fill out the prescription for antibiotics if your dentist gives you one. By doing this, the possibility of bacterial drug resistance becomes minimal. Additionally, it’s a fair indication to visit the dentist more regularly than the recommended twice-yearly appointments. Your oral healthcare professional will be better able to keep track of your teeth and gums in this way.
A final word:
Even though gum disease is very frequent, it doesn’t have to be. Your ability to maintain a stunning and healthy smile for many years to come depends on developing a well-informed, precise practice that takes preventative measures and identifies issues early on.