PERIODONTAL (Gum Disease) TREATMENT IN LINCOLN, NE

Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is fairly easily preventable. It is the result of the buildup of harmful substances along the gum line, which allows bacteria to attack the teeth and gums. With good oral hygiene habits, namely regular brushing and flossing, along with regular dental visits for exams and cleanings, you should be able to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, when oral care habits are lax, cavities and gum disease could be the effect. Your dentist at Lincoln Dental Associates in Lincoln can detect gum disease during a routine checkup and get it treated before it reaches a more advanced stage.

Dental scaling and planing

This treatment can be effective when gum disease is in its early stages. It is also called a deep cleaning because it follows basically the same procedure as a routine cleaning. However, while a standard cleaning goes only to the gum line, a deep cleaning goes into the gums to remove plaque and tartar. It is slightly more invasive than regular cleaning and will require a local anesthetic to minimize pain and discomfort. It may need to be completed over the course of two appointments. Following the removal of plaque and tartar (dental scaling), your dentist will place the tooth roots, or smooth them out. This is meant to discourage bacteria from collecting in and around the gums again. A successful scaling and planning procedure will help the gums reattach to the teeth and shrink the periodontal pockets.

Periodontal surgery

If a patient’s condition is too far advanced for dental scaling and planning to treat, periodontal surgery may be recommended. There are several types of surgery, each with a different goal:

• Gingival flap surgery: cuts into the gum tissue to clean below the pockets
• Gingivectomy: removes excess gum tissue
• Gingivoplasty: reshapes the healthy gum tissue

Your dentist will select the type of surgery that best suits your needs.

To maintain the healthiest teeth and gums, it is important to keep regular appointments at Lincoln Dental Associates. If you should encounter a problem with your teeth or gums, such as periodontal disease, our team can help restore your oral health in Lincoln.