Understanding the Basics of Gum Disease

Serious gum disease, also known as periodontitis, damages the soft tissue and bone structure around teeth. Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery offers effective treatment options to put a stop to the progression of gum disease and to restore your oral health.

How does gum disease happen?

Gum disease is caused by pockets of infection under the gums. Most cases are an end result of poor oral hygiene, while some may be modified by certain medications or diseases. Over time, gums will recede and in severe cases the infection will affect the bone. At that point, teeth lose supporting structure and can fall out without dental intervention.

What to expect from gum disease treatment?

With continued dental advancements, dentists are equipped to effectively treat the disease and correct bone and soft tissue damage. In doing so, the patient’s original tooth is saved whenever possible. Deep cleanings and root scaling and planing are examples of gum disease treatments that clean the area, remove bacteria and protect gum tissue. Pocket reduction surgery is used to minimize deep pockets of infection which helps halt continued infection between teeth and gums.

What happens when bone is lost?

When gum disease has led to bone loss, your dentist will work diligently to save your tooth. Bone grafting is a treatment option that promotes bone growth. Osseous surgery is another treatment that reshapes and smoothes out affected bone. It will also diminish pocket depth and promote self-healing in the area.

If extraction is the only option, Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Sims will strongly suggest a dental implant to replace the lost tooth whenever possible. A dental implant is the most technologically advanced replacement from the root to crown. Implant treatment targets aesthetics and long-term function.

Preventing gum disease

Naturally, it is best to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place. Daily hygiene habits and routine cleanings with a hygienist are essential to gum health. If you see signs of gum trouble, you will want to call your dentist right away. Signs of gum disease include:  

- Red and/or swollen gums

- Soft tissue sensitivity

- Gums that bleed easily

- Consistent bad breath or sour taste in mouth

See Santa Monica Periodontist for Gum Disease Treatment

If you are suffering from periodontitis, it is imperative that you get treated while it is still possible to save your teeth. At Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery, we have more than 45 years of experience treating patients. and we will find the right solution for you. Contact our office today for more information.

Dental Implant Placement Matters

Dental implants are one of the greatest advancements in oral health care. This revolutionary solution to restoring missing teeth looks and functions just like a natural tooth, from root to tip. Unlike dentures, dental implants support bone and gum health, will not slip or fall out, and require the same dental hygiene routine as your natural teeth.

Precise implant placement is a key factor in long-term durability and health.  The doctors at Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery use computer guidance when placing dental implants. Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Sims discover the best possible location and angle within the jaw. This process protects patients from complications and supports osseointegration, the process in which the titanium implant fuses to the surrounding bone.

Dental Implant Placement Factors

Placement is important because there must be enough remaining bone in the area to accommodate the implant. Dentists determine if patients are qualified for implants by conducting an examination prior to creating a treatment plan. It is important to take into consideration the health and integrity of areas including:

- Surrounding gum tissue

- Sinus cavities

- Blood vessels

- Nerves

- Jaw bone depth

Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery

Surgical experience along with computer-guided placement supports a higher degree of precision when implanting the titanium posts. The care taken by the team at Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery benefits the patient’s experience and helps improve the healing process. The end result is a tooth replacement that looks and feels like a natural tooth and provides improved long-term oral health.

Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery works with your dentist, who will create the restoration for the dental implant. Our dental implants are of the highest quality from well-known reliable companies that include: Dentsply, Astra Tech and Straumann. If you think you might be a candidate for dental implants, contact our office today. We welcome patients from Santa Monica and the surrounding area. 

Dental Hygiene and Your Gums

Good dental hygiene affects more than just your teeth. Brushing and flossing are well known methods to prevent cavities, but did you know that the same bacteria that creates plaque and tartar on your teeth will continue to spread into the soft tissue? If the bacteria is not stopped, gum disease will soon follow. When caught early on in stage one, the condition known as gingivitis can be reversed by a good dental cleaning and an improved daily brushing regime. Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery offers a number of effective treatments from the simplest cases to the most severe cases.

How do I get Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that feed on the sugars in food and drinks that you ingest. As these bacteria grow, they produce various toxins and chemicals that can damage teeth. Eventually, these bacteria grow and develop pockets under the gum line. This irritates gums and causes them to pull away from the teeth. In time, gum disease can spread deep into the supporting structures of the teeth, destroying even the underlying bone, to put you at risk for tooth loss.

Fortunately, good dental hygiene combined with regular visits to the dentist can greatly reduce your chances of developing gum disease, helping you to maintain strong, healthy teeth and gums. When brushing your teeth, be sure to gently brush your gums in a circular motion. This helps to remove debris and plaque at the most important area. Flossing is also important in order to remove particles of food stuck between teeth.

How do I know if I need gum disease treatment?

In its mildest form, gum disease will produce red, swollen or sometimes bleeding gums. If you have any of these conditions and they persist for more than a week, it’s important to schedule an appointment. When more serious symptoms develop, you may not even notice the problem until the hygienist or doctor points it out to you. Gum disease is known as a silent disease, meaning many patients aren't even aware they have it until they go in for an exam or lose a tooth.

- Have you noticed that your gums have begun to recede?

- Is the soft tissue pulling away from the tooth?

Pockets are formed between the tooth and gums. Food and tartar will collect there and contribute to the breeding of bad bacteria. Without a good deep cleaning, the infection will grow and continue to spread to neighboring teeth and eventually down to the bone. At this point, your toothbrush will not win the fight alone. Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery offers several gum disease therapies to treat the affected areas and help restore oral health.

Dental Hygiene routines are not the only factors

Other risk factors include a family history of gum disease, smoking or using tobacco, stress, diabetes, and a diet low in minerals or high in sugary foods.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of gum disease, whether red and swollen gums, or gums that bleed easily during brushing and flossing, make an appointment right away. Contact Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery. Let our periodontists be your gum specialists!

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