Periodontics is the study of clinical aspects of the supporting structures of the teeth (i.e., the periodontium), which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone (jaw), root cementum, and the periodontal ligament. The word comes from the Greek words peri, meaning “around” and odons, meaning “tooth”. Literally, it means the study of that which is around the tooth.
Request an AppointmentPeriodontal diseases
Periodontal disease takes on many different forms but is usually the result of a bacterial infection of the gums.Untreated, it often leads to tooth loss and alveolar bone loss.
Our periodontic expert is Dr. Hidetada Moroi, D.M.D.
Basic Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that gets under the gums and into the bone around your teeth. This infectious material must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There are two generally accepted treatments for this – depending upon the severity of your infection.
Upper Level Infection Removal
Bacterial infection in the upper levels of the pockets around your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This procedure is called tooth scaling and root planing. It is done under local anesthesia and is quite different from routine, or deep, cleaning which is traditionally done in the general dentist’s office.
Lower Level Infection Removal
If your infection has gotten into the bone that supports your teeth and is below the level that can be reached with specialized instruments, then a minor surgical procedure must be done to pull back the gums and remove the lower-level infectious bacteria.
Other Procedures
Crown Lengthening
When getting a crown, the general dentist must prepare your tooth to receive the crown. Sometimes there is not enough tooth surface above the gumline to accomplish this. Crown lengthening provides more tooth for your crown. This ensures a more stable crown with less gum irritation afterwards. Also, if you have a “gummy” smile or an uneven gum line, crown lengthening can help your teeth to look longer and more even. In this procedure the periodontist gives you a local anesthetic and gently removes excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural teeth.
Bone Grafting
Your jawbone is what supports your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, periodontal disease can eat away at your jawbone, giving it a depressed or shrunken appearance in places. In many cases, this lost bone can be partially grown back using various bone-grafting techniques. In this procedure, the periodontist gives you a local anesthetic and gently opens the area, filling in the missing section with bone-grafting material.