Periodontitis is the most devastation gum disease. Its symptoms not only affect the patient’s oral health but also have a significant negative impact on the overall health of a person. Dentists who mainly focus on the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease are called periodontists.

How is periodontitis caused?

Periodontal disease is characterized by the decay of gum tissues. The main cause of this is the accumulated plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth and roots. The microbes in the tartar feed on the food debris left in the mouth, during which they release harmful acids. These acids have the ability to erode the enamel and decay the soft tissues of the mouth. Other causes of periodontitis are external trauma to the gums, cuts and bruises that expose the tissues to the microbes in the mouth, and other oral infections.

What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

  • The decay of gum tissues
  • Bleeding of the gums
  • Release of pus and formation of an abscess
  • Bad breath
  • Loosening of the teeth from their socket
  • Jawbone deterioration

Treatment

Getting rid of the plaque and tartar deposits from the surface of the teeth and the roots should be the main concern. For this, we suggest scaling and root planing, which are procedures used to remove the tartar deposits from the teeth and roots. We use a hand-held scaling device for this purpose. The tip of the scaling device vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies and helps to dislodge the tartar deposits from the surface of the crowns. Root planing is performed under the influence of local anesthesia as the tip of the tool is inserted in between the gums and root surface.

The gum pockets, where the maximum number of microbes will be accumulated, will be cleaned. Medication such as Arestin will be placed in the gum pockets. This helps to heal the decayed tissues and reduce the severity of the condition.

Call us at (818) 789-2034 or schedule an online appointment to have a consultation with Dr. Daniel Tebbi at our practice in Encino, CA.