Consider periodontal care if you are an adult living with gum disease. At Newbury Dental in Brookfield, Connecticut, Vanessa Castro, DDS, and her team uses periodontics to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Dr. Castro's knowledge and expertise prevent the problem from worsening and ensure optimal oral health. Call the office today to schedule a periodontal consultation, or request your appointment online.
What types of problems does periodontics treat?
Dr. Castro uses periodontics to treat both types of gum disease, including: Gingivitis
Gingivitis occurs when plaque –– a mixture of saliva, food particles, and bacteria –– collects on your teeth and beneath your gums. Plaque irritates your gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed and pull away (recede) from your teeth.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. It’s a more serious infection that extends to the periodontal ligament (a band of tissue that anchors your teeth to your jaw). Without intervention, periodontitis can result in bone and tooth loss.
Who should consider periodontics?
Consider periodontics at Newbury Dental if you have any of the following symptoms:
-Red or purplish gums
-Bleeding
-Loose teeth
-Soreness
-Bad breath
-Gum recession
-Pain when chewing
As gum disease worsens, your teeth might not fit together as well as they used to.
How is gum disease diagnosed?
Dr. Castro asks about your symptoms and completes an oral exam, checking your gums for swelling, discoloration, and bleeding. She then uses a tool called a periodontal probe to measure the pockets around your teeth. The larger your pockets, the more severe your gum disease. Next, Dr. Castro orders digital X-rays to look at your tooth roots, jaw, and alveolar (the bone that anchors your upper teeth). X-ray images show bone loss in detail and guide treatment.
What does periodontics involve?
Dr. Castro offers various periodontal treatments.
She might suggest:
Scaling and root planing
Mild and moderate gum disease often improves with scaling and root planing. During this procedure, Dr. Castro removes plaque buildup from your teeth and beneath your gums. She then smooths out the surfaces of your teeth, allowing your gums to reattach.
Antibiotic therapy
Dr. Castro prescribes antibiotic therapy if you have a more serious infection like periodontitis. During treatment, Dr. Castro implants small antibiotic beads beneath your gum tissue. The beads dissolve slowly, eradicating harmful bacteria beneath your gum line.
Gum flap surgery
Dr. Castro recommends gum flap surgery if you have severe gum recession. During this procedure, she removes a small flap of tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitches it over your receding gums. The new skin fuses with your gums after placement, restoring your gum line and reducing the risk of tooth loss.
Call Newbury Dental today to schedule periodontics, or request your appointment online.
Learn More About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal health can be prevented with proper dental care, and treated at each stage.
