Gum disease can become a major health issue if left untreated. Fortunately Brighton dentists Dr. Paul Sussman and Dr. Meredith Pogal have experience providing advanced periodontal treatment for patients whose oral health is at risk.
If you believe you’re suffering from gum disease, please call Drs. Sussman and Pogal today at 585-227-4390 to schedule your free consultation. Our dentists serve patients from Brighton, Fairport, and other communities in Upstate New York.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
In most cases, gum disease is caused by poor dental health and bad habits like smoking. The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis, and it generally presents with the following symptoms:
- Swelling in the gums
- Tenderness
- Easy bleeding from the gums, especially when you brush or floss your teeth
- Red, irritated appearance of gum tissue
- Bad breath
If gingivitis isn’t treated in this early stage, gum disease can progress to periodontitis. At this stage, infection of the gum tissue is much more severe. The above symptoms become more acute, and pockets begin to form between gum tissue and the teeth.
Severe gum disease can cause teeth to become loose as the supporting tissue is attacked by bacteria. Untreated periodontitis also increases the risk of serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
The treatment option that will best help you recover from gum disease will depend on your symptoms, severity of the infection, and other factors. During your consultation, our Brighton dentists will carefully evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums.
Gingivitis can often be caught and treated in its initial stages during a routine cleaning and exam. However, if the infection has progressed further, Dr. Sussman and Dr. Pogal generally recommend a combination of periodontal laser therapy with scaling and root planing.
Laser gum treatment consists of the following steps:
- Our dentists measure the depth of pockets formed by gum disease
- A gentle soft tissue laser vaporizes diseased tissue while leaving healthy gums intact
- Once treatment is complete, the laser will cauterize and seal tissue at the gum line, thus preventing bleeding or infection
Before the gums are sealed, our dentists will scrape away excess plaque and even out the surface of the tooth roots to eliminate spaces where bacteria could hide. This procedure is called scaling and root planing.
Laser treatment in conjunction with scaling and root planing is often an effective solution for eliminating gum disease and restoring your oral health. Extreme cases, though, might require surgery to remove bacteria and replace damaged tissue. Our dentists will review your treatment options and recommend which one might work best for you during your appointment.
Please contact the office of Dr. Paul Sussman and Dr. Meredith Pogal or call 585-227-4390 today to schedule your free consultation. Our dentists provide gum disease treatment and other services for patients in and around Rochester, Brighton, and other areas.
