Periodontal Treatment – Annandale, VA
We Can Soothe Sore Gums
Do your gums bleed when you brush and floss? Are your gums excessively sensitive to heat and cold? You may have gum disease that can lead to serious oral and overall health consequences if left untreated. Dr. Salari is here to help with effective periodontal treatments in Annandale, VA at Nova Smile Dental. Dr. Salari can restore the teeth and gums by removing harmful bacteria and plaque and helping the roots reintegrate with the soft tissues. She can also reverse gum pockets that form as a result of periodontitis.
Why Choose Nova Smile Dental for Periodontal Treatment?
- Skilled and Compassionate Periodontist
- Address Advanced Oral Infections
- Dental Insurance Welcomed
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease begins as mild inflammation of the gum tissue called gingivitis, and it can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene at this stage. However, untreated gingivitis will eventually become periodontitis, which is a severe infection that causes permanent damage. Dr. Salari will be happy to help you address your gum disease with a range of high-quality dental services such as periodontal treatments designed to eliminate the infection at its source.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gingivitis and periodontitis can show themselves through these common symptoms:
- Bleeding gums
- Tooth and gum sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Mouth sores
- Toothaches
- Gum recession
- Jawbone loss
Please contact our dental office if you have noticed any of the signs of gum disease. After a thorough examination and consultation, we will help determine the best method of treatment for you.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
The best way to address gum disease depends on the nature and severity of your symptoms. After a brief examination, Dr. Salari may recommend a periodontal treatment such as:
Scaling & Root Planing
Although the earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, can sometimes be halted or reversed by improving your at-home dental hygiene routine, if your condition has already progressed, you will require professional intervention to manage it and prevent it from worsening.
Dr. Salari can provide a two-part deep cleaning known as scaling and root planning to address the infection and allow your connective tissues to recover. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect from this standard procedure at our Annandale office.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
This is a tried-and-true solution for addressing gum disease, but before proceeding, you must schedule a consultation with Dr. Salari to determine whether it’s the best way to meet your unique needs.
Once she examines your teeth and gums to assess the severity of your condition, she can make an appropriate treatment recommendation based on her findings. Our team might suggest a deep cleaning if you’re exhibiting the following symptoms:
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Persistent bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth
- Receding gumline
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Increased sensitivity
- Difficulty chewing
- Visible residue along the base of your gums
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
This service typically requires two separate appointments to complete. First, our team will use special instruments to carefully remove plaque and tartar from between your teeth and from your gumline. We take the time to reach deeply into the pockets of your connective tissues to remove hidden bacteria to prevent a recurrence.
Then, once your gums have had a chance to recover, we’ll schedule a second appointment to carefully smooth the outermost layer of your teeth to prevent additional deposits from forming and encourage your connective tissues to reattach to your enamel.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
Our team will numb and/or sedate you for the procedure itself, so you likely won’t have to worry about potential side effects until after the medications wear off. It’s best to avoid eating or drinking, especially anything too hot, until normal sensations return, because you might accidentally bite your lips or cheeks or burn yourself.
Then, you can disinfect your mouth gently by rinsing periodically with saltwater, which can also help reduce aches and inflammation. It’s usually safe to brush your teeth normally, but use caution to avoid triggering additional discomfort in your already-tender tissues.
Antibiotic Treatment
Arestin is an antibiotic that we place in the infected areas of the gums, often in the gum pockets. It can fight gum disease-causing bacteria right at the source of the infection for about 30 days.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
Soft tissue lasers may be used to remove diseased gum tissue in some cases. These devices minimize the risk of reinfection and promote a faster healing response from the body since they are less stressful than traditional treatment methods. Laser dentistry is a safe treatment option that can also be utilized for gum grafting, a procedure that adds healthy gum tissue to deep pockets caused by periodontal disease.