Periodontal Disease Treatment
in Plano, TX
Gum Disease Treatment for Oral Health
Are you experiencing oral bleeding or overly red and swollen gum tissue? These are common symptoms of gum disease (which is also referred to as periodontal disease). Gum disease is an infection that negatively affects your oral health and weakens your smile’s support system. It is very common in the United States and often goes untreated early on because the symptoms seem mild. However, advanced cases can result in serious and permanent consequences for a patient’s health.
At Plano Family Dental, you can trust in Dr. Varun Joseph to prioritize your wellbeing and help you feel well cared for. We provide comprehensive periodontal examinations and revitalizing options for periodontal disease treatment in Plano, TX, to help your smile remain healthy and strong. Please contact us today if you have questions please contact us or schedule your appointment online
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is when an infection attacks the soft oral tissue surrounding your teeth. This can cause redness, puffiness, inflammation, and even bleeding when brushing or flossing your teeth. There are various stages of gum disease ranging from mild to severe. Gingivitis, which is considered the first stage, can be easily combated with regular dental cleanings and good oral hygiene practiced at home. However, periodontitis can result in gum pockets forming and making it easy for bacteria and food particles to become trapped. This, in turn, can lead to bone and tooth loss.
What Are the Symptoms?
At first, the symptoms associated with gum disease might not be as apparent as you would think, but over time, the signs can become more prevalent. Some of these include:
- Bleeding gums
- Red and inflamed gums
- Receding gums that cause teeth to appear longer than before
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath
- Oral sores that do not heal quickly
- Increase tooth sensitivity
You could be next!
From complete smile makeovers to minor cosmetic touch-ups, our experienced team has a
proven track record of delivering life-changing results.
Our Patients Love Us!
Patient Experiences
“Dr. Joseph loves his work and is excellent at it. When I broke my front tooth crown, he squeezed me into his busy schedule and was able to start the replacement process the same day. He meticulously worked until we got the perfect result, a fully natural- looking and comfortable crown. I could not be more pleased. I highly recommend it!!!”
“Love this office! Always professional, caring, and gentle! Never made me feel dumb when I asked any questions, always super informative! My 5 and 3 you see them as well and everyone is super patient with them! Had a filling done and barely felt the doctor's needle prick. He has such a gentle touch! I used to work for a dental office so I have always had a high standard and picky from front office to bedside manners It is all important to me! New to the area and I won't go anywhere else!”
“Love this office! Always professional, caring, and gentle! Never made me feel dumb when I asked any questions, always super informative! My 5 and 3 you see them as well and everyone is super patient with them! Had a filling done and barely felt the doctor's needle prick. He has such a gentle touch! I used to work for a dental office so I have always had a high standard and picky from front office to bedside manners It is all important to me! New to the area and I won't go anywhere else!”
+400 patient reviews
The Periodontal Treatment Process
Millions of adults in the United States battle gum disease of some sort. Fortunately, there are solutions that can help individuals regain their gum health. We’ll discuss your options during your first consultation.
In its earliest stages, it may be possible to combat gum disease with more frequent cleanings at our dental office. However, advanced forms will require a more in-depth form of therapy. Scaling and root planing is a comprehensive cleaning that targets the bacteria underneath the gum line and along the rough root surfaces of the teeth. We will smooth these surfaces as well so that the infection is less likely to return and the gum tissue is able to better reconnect to the teeth.
Following your deep cleaning, we use state-of-the-art laser therapy to target remaining bacteria. This comfortable, non-surgical treatment helps eliminate infection and promotes healing of your gum tissue. Our advanced laser technology is gentle yet effective, requiring no anesthetic. The procedure takes just minutes but significantly enhances your treatment's success. The laser's precision helps sterilize the pockets around your teeth while stimulating healthy tissue regeneration.
Your long-term gum health requires ongoing care and attention. We'll create a customized cleaning schedule tailored to your specific needs, typically recommending visits every 3-4 months initially.
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?
If you want to prevent gum disease from ever occurring, there are steps you can take to ensure your mouth stays decay- and disease-free for years to come, such as:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth twice a day for two full minutes.
- Use fluoride toothpaste or one that combats gum disease.
- Floss at least once a day to remove harmful bacteria and food particles from in-between your teeth.
- Rinse with an ADA-approved mouthwash to flush away anything that flossing and brushing left behind.
- Keep your dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist every six months.
- Avoid consuming too much sugar, as bacteria love to feed off it and cause tooth decay and gum disease to develop.
- If you are a diabetic, make sure you are monitoring your blood sugar levels.
You could be next!
From complete smile makeovers to minor cosmetic touch-ups, our experienced team has a
proven track record of delivering life-changing results.
FAQs
The cost of periodontal therapy can vary, as each patient is different. Depending on the severity of the problem when first seen by one of our dentists, there are various factors that must be considered when determining how much you can expect to spend on this type of therapy. Some of these factors include:
- The seriousness of the problem
- Stage of which the gum disease is currently in
- Surgical or nonsurgical treatment
- Any additional dental work
- Maintenance in order to restore gum health
During your consultation, you can discuss anesthesia and sedation options such as the following:
Local Anesthesia (NUMBING)This common technique is used to numb the area of treatment and is administered by either our periodontist or our dental hygienists. Often referred to as ‘novocaine’ in the past, we now use the latest local anesthetics so we can safely and effectively keep you comfortable during the procedure by temporarily blocking pain in the localized area. This numb feeling typically lasts a few hours after the surgery. With local anesthesia, you can drive yourself home after your procedure.
Nitrous OxideMany people know nitrous oxide as ‘laughing gas’, which can be used to relax you or make you less nervous about your periodontal treatment. Nitrous oxide is used in combination with local anesthesia to make your experience calm and comfortable. Because the effects of nitrous oxide wear off relatively quickly, you may be able to drive yourself home but should discuss that with your periodontist prior to the visit.
Minimal Sedation (ANXIOLYSIS/ORAL SEDATION)Despite modern anesthetic techniques, patients are often nervous about the procedure, which is why there are options to help reduce your fears. This sedation technique uses a pill or liquid taken orally prior to the procedure and is quite effective for managing fear and anxiety before and during periodontal therapy. This option is used in combination with local anesthesia and other pain medications.
During your consultation, you may choose to receive a prescription for oral medication to take prior to the procedure to help relax you while you are awake for the visit. For this type of sedation, you will need to have someone drive you to and from the visit.
General AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia is the method that doctors use to put patients in a sleep-like state using a combination of medications that prevent the patient from feeling pain and experiencing the surgery by basically blocking the brain from receiving pain signals while they are in surgery.
“Dr Joseph and his staff are the best. They are welcoming, caring and provide excellent dental care. Dr Joseph is the best! Nothing but perfection will do for him. If you are looking for a new dentist your search will be over at Plano Family Dental.”