Periodontal Treatment in Decatur, GA With Signature Smiles Studio
Periodontitis is advanced gingivitis.
You want to feel confident when you smile and not worry about your gums looking red and swollen or feeling tender. While regularly brushing and flossing at home are essential to a healthy, radiant smile, bacteria can sometimes get trapped between your gums and teeth, causing disease in your gums. If you notice that your gums have become red or swollen, or start to bleed while you are brushing or flossing, you may be in the beginning stages of periodontal disease and should seek medical attention from a dental professional.
Fortunately, expert dentist Dr. Jocelyn Spaulding and her exceptional team of dental professionals at Signature Smiles Studio offer advanced periodontal treatments for their patients in Decatur, GA, and the greater Atlanta area including Midtown, Sagamore Hills, and in-town areas of Atlanta, GA. Her holistic approach to oral medicine can help treat and educate you on the best and most efficient ways to care for your smile.
Continue reading to learn more about periodontal disease or schedule a consultation with Dr. Spaulding at Signature Smiles Studio by completing our online form.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is one of the most common problems people encounter with their oral health. There are three phases of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.
Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis caused by a lapse of proper oral hygiene. Patients with gingivitis commonly have plaque along their gum line, causing their gums to swell. Healthy gums are pink and firm, so the first signs of gingivitis are tender, red, and swollen gums.
It sets in when infection spreads below the gum line and affects the surrounding teeth and jawbone. Untreated, this disease can lead to bone deterioration, tooth loss, and jawbone atrophy. Typical signs of periodontitis include receding gums; chronic bad breath; gingival pockets that may contain pus, forming a periodontal abscess; and red, swollen, and tender gums.
When periodontal disease is caught early while still in the gingivitis stage, Dr. Spaulding can easily treat it and prevent symptoms from progressing further. If periodontitis is left to progress into advanced periodontitis, the gums will continue to recede, pockets will deepen and harbor more infection, and teeth may become loose and eventually fall out.
What Are the Causes of Periodontitis?
The most common cause of periodontal disease is a buildup of dental plaque that is not properly removed during normal daily brushing and flossing. Even with the most high-end toothbrushes and consistent flossing, bacteria can become trapped in the smallest crevices between the teeth and gums. When plaque hardens, it forms tartar, which is the leading cause of gum disease. Only a professional cleaning can effectively remove tartar buildup.
Other causes of periodontal disease include:
- smoking
- hormonal changes
- diabetes and their medications
- genetics
- Frequent consumption of sugar foods and beverages
- Immune system deficiencies
How Do We Treat Periodontal Disease in Atlanta?
Four possible treatments are available to Dr. Spaulding and her team to treat periodontal disease and resurrect your smile.
Cleaning
The first course of action is a proper deep cleaning of your teeth. Twice a day brushing and regular dental cleaning and exams are the best ways to prevent periodontal disease. Professional tooth cleaning breaks down plaque buildup in a way that’s nearly impossible to achieve through at-home care alone.
During your dental cleaning with Dr. Spaulding, she will examine your teeth and gums to dictate the seriousness of your periodontal disease and discuss further treatment options.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure performed when signs of gum disease are present. Using an ultra-sonic dental tool, hygienists thoroughly clean the pockets between your gums and teeth to remove built-up bacteria-filled calculus. Scaling and root planing will also help smooth out any rough surfaces on the teeth and roots to prevent further bacteria from becoming trapped in the sanitized area, providing a healthy, clean area that promotes gum reattachment and rehabilitation.
Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy, also known as flap surgery or pocket depth reduction surgery, involves lifting gum tissue away from the bone and root to allow better access to the pockets of bacteria. The bacteria are cleared away, and accumulated tartar is removed from the surface of the teeth. After thoroughly sterilizing the area, the gum tissue is sutured around the base of the teeth to promote healthy gum regrowth.
Gum Grafting
Depending on the severity of your situation, a connective-tissue gum graft or a pedicle gum graft will be used to restore healthy gum tissue to the roots of your teeth. These procedures focus on the recovery of receding gum lines by introducing donor gum tissue or lengthening the tissue of your gums to achieve natural coverage.
Experience Comfortable, Compassionate Dental Care
Dr. Spaulding, our Decatur dentist, and our entire team approach dental care differently. We work together to embody our shared vision of uncompromising excellence in dentistry. This includes offering dental care in a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere.
What Are the Benefits of Receiving Regular Periodontal Disease Treatment in Atlanta?
Consistent periodontal therapy has long been proven to be an excellent method of keeping the oral cavity in good health and protecting against gum disease. Some of the key benefits include:
A healthy, beautiful smile
It’s not just your teeth that make your smile beautiful; your gums also play an important part. Periodontal therapy can ensure you have clean, healthy-looking gums that aid in the confidence of your smile.Fresh breath
Persistent bad breath is a key indicator of gum disease caused by the buildup of food particles below the gum line. Periodontal therapy can properly clean hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and leave you with fresh breath.Overall Health
The oral cavity can tell your dentist much about your health. Regular periodontal appointments allow your dentist to thoroughly examine your mouth and identify potential problems early.Tartar and Plaque Removal
Tartar and plaque can build up above and below the gum line. Left untreated, this bacteria can cause serious dental issues. Regular professional dental cleaning is essential to the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
What to Expect from a Periodontal Treatment at Signature Smiles Studio?
During an appointment with Dr. Spaulding for periodontal disease treatment, you’ll be welcomed into a private room where your treatment will be conducted. Dr. Spaulding will begin your treatment by learning more about you and discussing your concerns.
Next, Dr. Spaulding will thoroughly examine your teeth with the help of a skilled dental hygienist. She will evaluate the presence and progression of the disease using X-ray technology and manual observations.
Depending on the results of your evaluation, she will then create a treatment plan to target and reverse the effects of periodontal disease. At this time, Dr. Spaulding will estimate your cost for periodontal treatment.
How Often Should You Schedule a Periodontal Treatment in Decatur, GA?
Everyone responds differently to treatment; therefore, each patient has different maintenance treatment needs. The frequency needed will depend on the degree of residual pocket depth following treatment, the effectiveness of daily plaque control, and your unique periodontal disease susceptibility.
Research has shown that the bacteria that cause periodontal gum disease can reoccur within three to six months. For this reason, we encourage patients to be seen at least every four to six months to maintain good oral health.
Why Choose Signature Smiles Studio for Your Periodontal Treatment?
Our main priority at Signature Smiles Studio is to provide you with a healthy smile that improves your confidence and overall health. Dr. Spaulding utilizes a holistic approach to her dental treatments by getting to know her patients on a more personal level. During an appointment, she’ll inquire about your oral hygiene habits, diet, water intake, stress, and more to better understand the factors impacting your oral health and how best to educate you to better care for your teeth. In addition, patients are welcomed into a non-judgmental environment specifically created with your comfort and safety in mind. Each private room is equipped with state-of-the-art air purifiers and dental equipment to help prevent the spread of airborne viruses, TemperPedic exam chairs to help you relax, and warm towels and soft blankets are also optional to ease any anxiety or stress.
Dental treatments and technology are constantly progressing and evolving. To ensure that she provides her patients with efficient and high-quality care, Dr. Spaulding and her team continuously further their education by attending lectures, conducting research, and exploring new and updated technologies. Our mission is to help bring a positive dental experience to our patients and help appease the anxiety and fear that is too often associated with dental treatments.
View our gallery to see real patients who have received periodontal treatment before and after results.
Are You Seeking Periodontal Treatment?
Let us provide exceptional care, leading to a healthier, vibrant, and confident smile. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Jocelyn Spaulding, call our office at (404) 634-5738 or complete our online consultation form, and a member of our patient care team will be happy to assist you. We look forward to meeting you soon!
