Periodontal Dentistry
Periodontal Dentistry Treatments available at Riverbend Dental Health in Calgary
Dr. Kent Stringham, a general dentist in Calgary, performs a periodontal treatment that is an incision-free, suture-free procedure for treating gum recession. Through a small hole made by a point, Dr. Stringham uses instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue and glide it over the receded part of the tooth. Since there is no incision or suturing, patients can expect fewer post-operative symptoms like pain, swelling and/or bleeding. Dr. Stringham in Calgary performs this pinhole technique.
Please also read about gum surgery in Calgary and Pinhole Gum Procedure in Calgary or PST on our website to learn more about how we help Calgarians. You may also want to watch some short videos about PST or other dental procedures.
Are You A Candidate For Periodontal Work?
Dr. Stringham, a general dentist in Calgary helps patients with pinhole gum surgery to treat receded gum tissue. We are a dental health provider that takes care of our existing patients AND new patients that are considering PST. You can request a consultation with Dr. Stringham for this technique even if you are not a regular patient. This form of surgical technique may be less invasive and may cost less than standard grafting surgery. Please note that not all people are candidates. This evaluation is done by the dentist during consultation as he examines your gums for their rehabilitation capabilities.
What should you do next if you need Perio help?
If you think this perio procedure might be a better alternative to periodontal gum grafting surgery, feel free to call us during business hours and schedule a consultation. A short consultation with Dr. Kent Stringham and his team will enable you to make an informed decision. During the consultation, you can also see before and after photos from other patients that have undergone this treatment. Although we can’t tell you that this procedure is better or that we have special training with PST, we do want to provide you with all the information necessary to make an informed decision.
Periodontal Disease Information
Periodontal (gum) disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is a condition in which bacteria elicit a host response that triggers our immune cells to attack the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Simply put, it is an infection that can result in tooth loss if not treated. Because it is often painless, the patient may not be aware until the gums and bone are seriously affected.
What causes Periodontal Disease? Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that clings to teeth and gums. Even if you brush every day, you cannot remove the microscopic biofilm that adheres to the root surface around or below the gum line. The bacteria create toxins that over time can destroy the gum and bone. Plaque needs to be removed every 24 to 48 hours, or it hardens into a rough deposit called tartar or calculus. The only way to remove it is by having your teeth professionally cleaned at a dental office. Tartar that builds up below the gum line leads to chronic inflammation and infection; red puffy bleeding gums.
Prevention is the key defence against periodontal disease. This begins with a good oral hygiene routine at home by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Our hygienists provide instructions on the proper brushing and flossing techniques as well as the use of other hygiene products. Regular dental cleanings are important in preventing periodontal disease. The doctor and the hygienist will recommend the frequency of cleanings the patient needs to help keep the disease under control.
One of the treatments for periodontal disease is root planning and scaling. This non-surgical treatment may require one or multiple visits and/or increased frequency of office visits. This root debridement therapy removes plaque and tartar beneath the gum line. A local anesthetic is sometimes given to reduce any discomfort. Using a small scaler or ultrasonic cleaner, the calculus is carefully removed or planed to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth.
Once the scaling is complete, a follow-up appointment is made approximately one month later to check how the gums have healed and how well the pocket depths have decreased. If pockets greater than 4mm remain, additional treatment may be needed.
Periodontal disease will not go away by itself, nor is periodontal disease 100% curable. But with diligent home care and regular professional cleanings, it is controllable. For all your Calgary periodontal dentistry needs, please call our office today.
