Gum Disease Treatment – Horseshoe Bay, TX
Healthy Gums = Healthy Smile
When it comes to your oral health, your gums actually matter just as much as your teeth! They provide much needed support and help protect the sensitive enamel located around the roots of the teeth. Without consistent oral hygiene, they can develop an infection called periodontal (gum) disease, and if ignored, it will slowly break down the gums and bone surrounding a tooth until it eventually falls out! However, Dr. Sopel can use periodontal therapy to ensure his patients get the care they need as soon as possible. If you have red, puffy, or tender gums that bleed often, be sure to come see us so you can be treated right away!
Why Choose Horseshoe Bay Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Gum screenings performed at every checkup
- Friendly team that is dedicated to patient comfort
- Only use the most state-of-the-art technology & techniques
Scaling & Root Planing
Periodontal disease is caused by an accumulation of plaque and bacteria located along the gum line, so the first step to treating it is to get rid of this harmful build up. To do this, our team will perform a procedure called scaling and root planing, which is best thought of as a dental cleaning that is specifically focused on the gums and roots of the teeth.
For the scaling portion, a small ultrasonic cleaner will be used to break up any plaque deposits located around and under the gum line. Then, the rough surfaces of the teeth’s roots will be reshaped and smoothed out (root planing). Why do this? This will make it harder for plaque to gather around the gums in the future, stopping periodontal disease before it starts. Depending on the extent of a patient’s infection, a complete SRP treatment can take anywhere from one to four appointments to complete.
Atridox Antibiotic Therapy
While you can’t really see them in a healthy mouth, there are tiny spaces located between the gums and teeth called periodontal pockets. As gum disease develops, bacteria most often makes a home in these pockets, and they are very difficult to clean using traditional dental tools. To get rid of this well-hidden bacteria, Dr. Sopel can use a topical antibiotic called Atridox. Placed into the pockets using a syringe, it quickly dries and then dissolves over the course of seven days, allowing the powerful antimicrobial agent to reach and kill any leftover bacteria.