Gum Disease Treatment in Mt. Juliet, TN

Your gums are just as important as your teeth. At Twin Lakes Dental Care, we’ll make sure the parts that surround and support your teeth will stay healthy, and we’ll also teach you how to keep them that way. Almost half of all adults experience periodontitis, or gum disease, at some point in their lives. You may have seen the symptoms before: bleeding after brushing or flossing, swelling, inflammation, or irritability in the gums. While these symptoms may seem temporary, they may lead to more serious issues like tooth loss or empty periodontal sockets. The services we offer for periodontal issues include scaling and root planing, gingivectomies and ridge preservation.

Scaling and Root Planing This procedure is sometimes referred to as a “deep cleaning,” since you’ve most likely had scaling on a lesser extent during your routine dental cleanings. Our dentist will work to remove any plaque that’s built up in the gums and the roots through scaling. Then we will resurface the rough areas through root planing to prevent bacteria and plaque from re-adhering to the root’s surface. This will allow your gums to heal and become firm again.

Gingivectomy A gingivectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a portion of the gums. Your dentist may recommend a gingivectomy if there are issues in the gums that need to be corrected or reversed. The procedure is typically performed with either a scalpel or a low-frequency laser. Patients will be provided with a local anesthetic to keep them comfortable during the procedure. After the gums are trimmed and removed, the surrounding gums will be reattached to the gums through sutures (stitches). The patient will then wear a surgical dressing for about a week, and also swish with antibacterial mouthwash to help in the healing process. Patients can expect to return to their normal routine within a month.

Ridge Preservation After tooth extraction, ridge preservation may be required to prevent the empty socket from collapsing. The procedure is done by placing a type of bone grafting in the weakened empty socket to allow for bone regeneration. Ridge preservation may also be used to support dental implants. Have any symptoms of gum disease? Don’t risk further issues by leaving them untreated. Contact our friendly staff at 615-257-0772 to schedule an appointment today with one of our dental professionals.