Gum Disease Treatment

Board-Certified Gum Disease Treatment

Gum Disease: The #1 Cause of Adult Tooth Loss

Patients are often referred to our practice for specialized care in the treatment of gum disease (periodontitis). Gum disease is a progressive condition caused by bacterial toxins, the effects of which will not resolve without proper care from a professional. It is the leading cause of adult tooth loss today, and also exhibits strong links to other concerning medical conditions. As an esteemed Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology with over 30 years of specialized experience, Dr. Robert Faiella has advanced skill and expertise in effectively addressing all phases of gum disease in Duxbury and Osterville, MA. He and our team routinely treat gum disease and are pleased to help patients maintain gum health from our comfortable, state-of-the-art practice locations.

Our Gum Disease Treatments

Bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession and bone loss are all signs that indicate the presence of gum disease in the mouth. Leaving gum disease untreated invites the risk of tooth loss and even systemic concerns, such as heart disease and pregnancy complications. A personalized consultation is the first step in arresting the gum disease process. We use periodontal measurements, x-rays and clinical evaluations to determine the extent of your gum disease and recommend the ideal treatment for restoring periodontal health. Our gum disease treatments include:

1

Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)

Performed by our talented and gentle dental hygienists, SRP is a non-surgical procedure that removes plaque, tartar and bacterial deposits from tooth surfaces below the gum line. The goal of SRP is to improve gum health by reducing periodontal pocket depths and encouraging reattachment of gum tissues to tooth roots.

2

Osseous Surgery

Osseous surgery is performed in advanced cases of gum disease or in areas that do not respond well to SRP. When performing osseous surgery, Dr. Faiella gently retracts the gum tissue, smooths root surfaces and bone discrepancies, and incorporates tissue regenerative factors to help regrow bone that has been lost.

3

Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is a program designed to help patients maintain gum health and manage oral bacteria following gum disease treatment. These visits include thorough above and below the gum cleanings, periodontal examinations, personalized oral hygiene instruction and x-rays (as needed). We recommend you schedule these visits every three months.

Maintaining Lasting Periodontal Health

The key to keeping gum disease at bay and ensuring long-term gum health is regular three-month periodontal maintenance visits, once Dr. Faiella has completed your gum disease treatment. He and our team collaborate closely with your general dentist and may alternate these visits between our practice and theirs. Beyond 90 days, the bacteria responsible for causing gum disease grow rather quickly, and can cause active infection to occur once again. There is no cure for gum disease. But as periodontal experts, Dr. Faiella and our hygienists are well-adept at recognizing this common periodontal problem and taking the measures necessary to protect your health and smile from progressing gum disease.