Periodontal Services
Periodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum and bone disease. The main types of gum and bone disease are gingivitis (gum infection), and periodontitis (gum and bone infection).
At Elmhurst Smiles, Dr. Gotsch and his great Team focus on providing patients with the right tools to prevent gum and bone disease. Sometimes that means seeing the hygienistmore than twice a year. Our goal is to provide our patients with all the methods and tools to keep the supporting tissues around their teeth and implants healthy enough to last a lifetime!
Oral Hygiene Appointment
Most people enjoy getting their teeth cleaned. Although getting your hair cut, or done, doesn’t have a health benefit, we’ve had many patients compare the two. You just “feel better” after both appointments.
Dr. Gotsch and his hygienist take pride in having healthy patients. Our hygienist enjoys asking questions about your home care regime. She then evaluates your efficiency, advocates new tools or techniques, and as time goes on, she celebrates when you improve from previous appointments.
In most instances, we take check-up, or “bitewing” x-rays once a year. These films help Dr. Gotsch and our hygienist monitor the possibility of decay or bone loss. We’ll also use a special gum ruler to monitor the health of your gum and bone surrounding teeth and implants. Dr. Gotsch also performs an oral cancer screening twice a year.
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Periodontal Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease is a serious issue that affects many people’s lives. Luckily our experienced periodontists are capable of treating periodontal disease in our patients, a field in which they have rigorous training and education.
The cleaning of calculus, or tartar, is a major component of treating periodontal disease. However, changes in the patient’s behavior are just as important. Making sure your dental hygiene habits are up to par is critical in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so it is critical to properly care for them. If you have periodontal disease, don’t feel hopeless. It is a treatable disease, but one that requires the patient to be aware and active with their dental care.
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Scaling and Root Planing
If plaque builds up to the point where it hardens, it’s then called tartar. There are tartar “control” toothpastes, but once it accumulates, only a professional cleaning by a hygienist can remove it. In limited amounts, this removal can be performed at your normal six-month hygiene appointment. If it’s more profound, and built up under the gum-line, then Dr. Gotsch often suggests scaling and root planing. He will give doses of local anesthetic so you’re comfortable; this also allows the hygienist to be more efficient.
After scaling and root planing, we’ll initially request that you change from twice-a-year cleanings to four-times-a-year. This helps prevent additional gum and bone infection, also known as periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, tooth loss is not normal.
If Dr. Gotsch feels scaling and root planing is not eliminating periodontitis, then he’ll refer you to a gum specialist (periodontist). Fortunately, this is rare since more frequentcleanings and better at-home oral hygiene might prevent such a referral.
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