Formerly Conklin & Ward Dental Groupand Kevin G. Murphy & Associates
Periodontal Therapy – Baltimore, MD
Individualized Expert Gum Disease Treatment
At Baltimore Dental Arts, we have a periodontal specialist on staff that have received additional training in gum-related treatments, such as periodontal therapy. This allows us to offer patients suffering from gum disease advanced treatments that effectively fight off harmful oral bacteria and restore the health of your oral tissues, which are the foundation of your smile. To learn more about how we can help you battle and reverse the effects of this common oral health problem, contact our dental office today for advanced periodontal therapy in Baltimore, MD!
Why Choose Baltimore Dental Arts for Periodontal Therapy?
- Trained Periodontal Specialists On-Staff
- Diode Dental Laser for Precise Treatment
- Custom-Tailored Gum Disease Therapy
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a two-step process that allows us to reduce the prevalence of harmful oral bacteria and minimize the impact of uncomfortable gum disease symptoms. First, Dr. Ward will clear all plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, as far down as the pockets of your receded gums. Then, we’ll smooth out the roots of your teeth, which will allow your gums to healthily reattach and provide them with protection.
Learn More About Scaling and Root Planing
Gum Grafting
Gum recession is a common symptom of periodontitis that causes your teeth to look longer and your gums to shrink back and unveil the roots of your teeth. When left unaddressed, it can cause permanent damage to your smile, including tooth loss. Our periodontal experts offer gum grafting, which involves taking a small portion of healthy oral tissue from another area of your mouth to restore the receded area of your gums that has begun to reveal the roots of your teeth.
Crown Lengthening
If you have a tooth that’s decayed or broken above the gumline, we need to be able to access the area to treat the issue or place a restoration over the damaged tooth to protect it from further harm. In these cases, we can complete an advanced procedure called crown lengthening. Using a soft tissue laser, she’ll precisely re-sculpt your gumline to reveal more of your dental structure. This procedure can also be used to create a beautiful cosmetic appearance as well.
Learn More About Crown Lengthening
Osseous Surgery
One harmful effect of periodontitis is bone loss, which can alter the appearance of your facial structure and weaken the foundation of your smile. Osseous surgery is typically recommended for patients who have suffered from the loss of the structures that support your teeth. It’s a traditional procedure where we will gently remove all infected gum tissue and diseased bone to create a healthier environment and halt the progression of worsening gum disease symptoms.
Learn More About Osseous Surgery
Bone Grafting
Untreated gum disease commonly results in gum and bone loss, which leads to oral deterioration and permanent effects like tooth loss. To keep this from occurring and help preserve the health of your mouth, we can conduct a bone graft. This involves us clearing away any infected gum tissue and bone that can aid the spread of the disease. We’ll then place a synthetic bone graft material that will help new bone regenerate, strengthening the foundation of your smile and preventing additional damage from occurring.
Learn More About Bone Grafting
Ridge Preservation
Ridge preservation is a very effective treatment that can help patients who have lost permanent teeth due to gum disease. As long as your jawbone isn’t being stimulated by the roots of your teeth, it will deteriorate. We offer ridge preservation to help aid the regeneration of this area to prevent sunken and droopy cheeks and make sure that you remain a good candidate for tooth replacement procedures, such as dental implants. We’ll gently lift the gums away from the bridge to expose the bone. We’ll then fill at-risk areas with a bone graft material to keep it shrinking over time.
Lip & Tongue Tie-Treatment
Do you or your child have lip-tie or tongue-tie? This condition is present at birth and restricts the movement of the tongue and/or lips. While somewhat uncommon, there’s no need to panic if you or your child has a lip or tongue-tie! At Baltimore Dental Arts, we offer quick and comfortable frenectomies with our state-of-the-art equipment to help alleviate this problem. If you’d like to learn more about lip and tongue tie treatment, feel free to reach out and schedule an appointment with one of our in-house periodontists.
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Plaque and Tartar?
Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth. The bacteria that live in plaque secretes acids that cause tooth decay and irritate the gum tissue. This can eventually lead to gingivitis and progress into gum disease. However, when the plaque isn’t removed regular by routine brushing as flossing, it hardens to create tartar, sometimes, referred to as calculus. This substance cannot be removed with a toothbrush and needs to be removed by a dental professional. To prevent this from occurring, it’s important to maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease at Home?
The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home. This includes brushing your teeth after each meal and before you go to sleep. You should also be flossing at least once per day. See your dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups or more often if recommended for previous periodontal issues. By taking a few extra steps each day, you can keep your gums and the rest of your smile in good health!
Is Gum Disease Contagious?
Gum disease is caused by an inflammatory reaction beneath the gums, so it isn’t contagious in the same way as a common cold or the flu. However, the bacteria that causes the inflammatory reaction can be spread through saliva. This means that is someone close to you have gum disease, it’s probably a good idea to avoid sharing eating utensils or oral health equipment. This way, you can prevent that bacteria from entering your mouth.
Is Gum Disease Related to Other Diseases?
There are connections between gum disease and other systematic diseases. Several studies have indicated that gum disease could be linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers also suspect that inflammation could be the basis behind this relationship. Ultimately, when you have an infection in your mouth, this leaves other parts of your body vulnerable to invaders. By keeping your gums healthy, you can promote your overall health.