How To Treat Gum Disease
Advanced Periodontal Disease Treatment
Dr. Maddux will measure the gum pocket depths during an initial examination. The severity of your case will help determine which treatment will be best suited for your needs.
Scaling and root planing in Birmingham is the most common non-surgical treatment for advanced forms of gum disease, and it is often used before laser treatment for gum disease.
It helps to remove much of the infection from the gum pockets, before they are thoroughly cleaned using our laser. If necessary we can then place antibiotics into the gum pockets and which slowly release medication that will help eliminate any persistent bacteria.
This treatment will remove much of the infection from the gum pockets, before they are cleaned using our laser. Dr. Maddux will sometimes place antibiotics into the gum pockets which slowly releases medication to help eliminate and persistent bacteria.
Sometimes you will repeat this treatment at our office for multiple visits to help bring infection under control.
Risk of
Tooth Decay
Advanced gum disease destroys the gum tissues which shrink back from the teeth exposing the tooth roots. This is why you may notice teeth appearing longer than is desirable. This is because tooth roots are not covered in enamel, but instead have a thin layer of substance called cementum which is more easily decayed, increasing the risk of cavities.
Dr. Maddux will recommend gum surgery in cases where tooth roots are exposed in this way to help replace the lost tissue, and may also recommend gum grafting. Advanced periodontal disease also destroys bone surround teeth. We have procedures to replace lost tissue and bone such as guided tissue regeneration.