Periodontics in Central Brandon

Most people are already aware of the importance of having healthy teeth. However, an important element of maintaining excellent oral health is often overlooked; healthy gums are the key to having a healthy mouth.

When left untreated, gingivitis can cause many problems within the mouth. In serious cases, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This can cause a significant amount of damage to the connective tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place and can eventually lead to teeth becoming loose and falling out.

Gum disease is typically treated by a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who has spent an additional two to three years training to become a gum disease specialist. In addition to studying gum diseases and their treatments, periodontists also complete training in dental implants, gum contouring and lip repositioning.

If youre suffering from periodontal disease, a gum disease expert at Dental Associates of Florida - Central Brandon can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a periodontist in Central Brandon.

What Do Periodontists Do?

A periodontist is a gum disease expert who specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing conditions and diseases that impact the soft gum tissue. Periodontists generally provide an array of services. These periodontal services include:

Treating Periodontal Diseases

Gum disease develops when plaque builds up on and around our teeth after eating and drinking. Plaque contains bacteria that can lead to gum disease if it is not cleaned off properly. Brushing and flossing can remove light plaque buildup. However, if you arent brushing or flossing properly on a frequent basis, the bacteria will begin to destroy the enamel of your teeth. This is the primary cause of common dental problems like cavities. If left untreated, the bacteria can cause gingivitis, which can lead to severe periodontal disease that will eventual lead to the loss of teeth due to the destruction of ligaments and jaw bone.

Placing Dental Implants

In instances when a tooth has been lost or badly damaged, a periodontist will replace the tooth with a dental implant. A dental implant is a long-term, natural looking replacement that is placed into your jawbone. Implants help to provide a sturdy base for crowns, bridges and dentures. In addition, a stable implant will help to prevent your other teeth from slipping out of place.

Lengthening Crowns

Crown lengthening surgery is a frequent procedure done by periodontists. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic and is done when too much of the gum line covers the crown of the tooth. The periodontist will reduce some of the gum around the existing tooth so that more of the tooth crown shows. This surgery is sometimes done so that an artificial crown, dentures or braces bracket can be attached more easily. It may also be done for cosmetic purposes.

Performing Gum Contouring Surgery

A periodontist conducts gum contouring surgery when a patient has a lot of gum tissue around his or her teeth. This condition is generally known as having a gummy smile and can make your teeth appear to be shorter than they should be. One of our periodontists can fix this issue by shaping the tissue around your gums to even out your gum line.

Conducting Soft Tissue and Gum Grafts

Receding gums happen when the gum line around the teeth begins to wear away, creating a gap between the teeth and the gum line. This condition can lead to ligament and bone damage that may cause tooth loss and exposed roots. A periodontist can correct this problem by performing a gum grafting procedure. This routine procedure uses your already existing gum tissue or donor tissue to cover the exposed area.

Oral Pathology and Oral Cancer Diagnosis

A gum disease specialist also works to identify other diseases affecting the mouth. The rise of oral cancers related to HPV mean that periodontists frequently help patients to identify whether or not they have developed cancer of the mouth. Tissue samples are collected and sent to a lab. Depending on the results, the periodontist can help a patient to determine possible treatments.

As you can see, treating your gums well is an important part of maintaining proper oral health. Our periodontics office will ensure that you remain comfortable throughout your procedure. This may be accomplished through the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and other sedatives,if necessary. If youre looking for a specialist in periodontics in Central Brandon, contact our friendly staff today.

Contact Us for a Consultation with a Periodontist in Central Brandon

If youre experiencing problems with your gums, dont put off calling our periodontist. Healthy gums help you to maintain healthy teeth and a great smile. Call us at Dental Associates of Florida - Central Brandon right away at (813) 563-0680. One of our helpful staff members can help you with any questions you may have about how we can get your gums back into shape.