Periodontist in Arlington Heights: Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a common infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth. Without treatment, the alveolar bone around the teeth is slowly and progressively lost.

A periodontist is a dental specialist that is trained in periodontal dentistry which focuses on the supporting structures of the teeth. While they do focus on the supporting structures, they also are trained to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases or conditions that come along with those supporting structures.

One of the primary supporting structures of the teeth are the gums, and a periodontist is an expert with anything related to the gums.

What causes periodontitis?

A buildup of bacteria in the mouth can eventually cause periodontitis.

All of our mouths have bacteria — that’s healthy and normal. But some types of bacteria mix with mucus (fluid we produce) and other substances. This combination forms a film on our teeth called plaque. When you brush and floss, you get rid of plaque. But if you don’t do so regularly, the plaque hardens and forms tartar. You can’t get rid of tartar through brushing — you need a professional dental cleaning.

The buildup of plaque and tartar leads to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gingivae (gums). Your gums start to swell and bleed. You can treat gingivitis through good dental care, including brushing, flossing and professional cleanings. But untreated gingivitis leads to periodontitis.

How is periodontitis diagnosed?

Your dentist will be able to detect signs of periodontitis at an early stage during a routine dental examination. They can monitor your periodontal status over time to make sure it doesn’t get any worse. This is why it’s important that you visit a dentist on a regular basis for a screening.

Your dentist may use a tiny ruler called a probe to measure any pockets on your gums. This test is usually painless. If plaque, tartar, or both are found on your teeth, your dentist will remove these substances as part of a professional cleaning. They may also take dental X-rays or refer you to a periodontist, an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, for further testing and treatment.

Will I need periodontitis surgery?

If you have severe periodontitis, your provider may recommend:

• Flap surgery: Your periodontist in arlington heights lifts back the gums and removes tartar deposits in the pockets around the teeth. The gums then get sutured (stitched) closely around the teeth.

• Bone and tissue grafting: This procedure uses natural or synthetic (artificial) bone. Your periodontist in arlington heights grafts (connects) it to any areas of lost bone to promote growth. Your provider may also use a procedure to help the gum tissue regenerate (regrow).

Periodontal Maintenance

About every 3-4 months we recommend a periodontal maintenance appointment for any patient who has a history of periodontal surgery or scaling. This allows us to monitor your condition and prevent further problems before they occur.

Irrigation, scaling, and cleaning will be performed during this appointment.

Using effective treatments and possessing a high level of concern for each patient, our doctors improve patients’ oral health dramatically. Patients can visit Babylon Dental Care for their general, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental needs.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Omni Dental of Arlington Heights IL 60004 offer excellent family & cosmetic dental care providing full service dentistry including dental implants, veneers, crowns and more . Schedule your appointment today and let our staff help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy!