Comprehensive smile care encompasses more than just healthy teeth; we adopt a holistic approach to ensure the health of your entire mouth and overall well-being.
We offer periodontal services to ensure the gums and tissues of the mouth are in top condition.
Specialized Periodontal Services – Treatment for Gum Disease
Periodontal care services in Bellevue, WA focus on the health of your gums and the tissues supporting your teeth. This specialized care is essential for preventing or treating gum disease and ensuring that your teeth and gums remain healthy. Periodontal care includes deep cleanings, gum grafts, and other advanced treatments aimed at protecting your smile from conditions that may lead to gum and tissue damage.
At Spektor Dental in Bellevue, WA, we offer comprehensive periodontal care services designed to preserve the health of your gums and teeth. Our team understands the importance of maintaining optimal oral health and is committed to providing top-quality care. We work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique periodontal needs.
Concerned about your gum health? Schedule an appointment with our experienced team today. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you maintain a healthy, confident smile!
Gum Disease & Systemic Health: What You Need to Know
It is becoming increasingly apparent that oral health plays an important role in the health of the entire body. Poor oral health has been linked to a number of degenerative conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In fact, some research even suggests that poor oral health may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, which is linked to a bacterial imbalance in the gum tissue. While the exact underlying causes are not yet fully understood, it is thought that the bacteria that cause gum disease may enter the bloodstream and contribute to the development of these conditions. Additionally, tissue inflammation associated with gum disease is thought to play a role.
Although further research is warranted to confirm these associations, maintaining oral health is evidently a crucial component of overall health. Good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily, can help to reduce the risk of these conditions. In addition, regular dental checkups and cleanings can also help to keep your mouth healthy.
Periodontal Disease – How to Protect Your Gums
Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is a persistent bacterial infection that impacts the gums and the supporting bone structures of the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. The disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed by special tools that we use during a professional cleaning.
- Plaque and tartar will continue to build up along the gum line if the teeth are not cleaned regularly. This can cause the gums to become irritated and inflamed, pulling away from the tooth structure. This is a condition known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease and can usually be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings.
- If gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis. This is a more serious form of gum disease that can destroy the bone and other tissues supporting your teeth. As the gums continue to pull away from the teeth, plaque and tartar will begin to gather in the pockets formed below the gum line. Over time, this gathered bacteria will begin to eat away at the bone, causing permanent damage.
- Advanced periodontitis is the last stage of gum disease. This is the most severe form of the condition and is characterized by extensive bone loss. At this stage, patients may notice pain, loose teeth, pus formation along the gum line, and foul breath. If left untreated, then tooth loss is common.
If you think you may have periodontal disease, it is important to visit our office right away. We will be able to evaluate the severity of your condition and recommend the best course of treatment. With early diagnosis and treatment, we can often stop the progression of periodontal disease and help you keep your natural teeth for a lifetime.
Advanced Periodontal Therapy: Restore & Maintain Gum Health
Periodontal therapy is a type of dental treatment that is used to prevent or slow down the progression of periodontal disease. It can also help to improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Periodontal therapy can be performed in a number of different ways, depending on the severity of the disease. While the early stages of gum disease may be resolved through routine dental cleaning, once the disease progresses, we may recommend a deep cleaning procedure.
Deep cleanings are a bit more in-depth than standard cleanings, as we turn our focus to cleaning the areas both above and below the gum line. This procedure is formally referred to as scaling and root planing.
- Scaling is the process of removing tartar from the teeth and gum pockets using specialized cleaning tools.
- Root planing is the process of smoothing out the root surfaces to prevent tartar buildup in the future.
This procedure helps to restore gum health, close gum pockets, and allow gums to reattach to the teeth.
Maintain Your Gum Health with Periodontal Cleanings
Periodontal maintenance cleanings are deep cleanings that are performed on a routine basis to prevent the progression of gum disease. Once the condition reaches its later stages, this regular maintenance is essential in maintaining oral health. At each appointment, the cleanings help to remove the recurring plaque and tartar from the teeth and prevent the disease from worsening; leading the disease unmanaged may lead to infection or tooth loss.
Periodontal maintenance cleanings are usually done every three months, but they may be done more often if found necessary.
Improve Your Smile with Crown Lengthening Treatment
Crown lengthening involves the removal of excess gum tissue and bone from around one or more teeth. There are a number of reasons why we may recommend this procedure during your dental appointment. Crown lengthening can be used to improve the appearance of your smile, to make it easier to clean your teeth, or to prepare your teeth for a dental restoration.
- When any excessive gum tissue is removed, it can help to expose more of the tooth, which can give the appearance of longer or larger teeth. This can greatly enhance the appearance of the smile.
- Crown lengthening can also help to reduce the risk of gum disease. Oftentimes, patients with excessive gum tissue find it difficult to remove food debris and bacterial accumulation from under and around the gums. Limiting the space for bacteria to grow and gather can improve oral health.
- In some cases, crown lengthening may also be used to prepare your teeth for a dental restoration; this will ensure that your new crown or filling will blend well with the tooth and complement the smile.
Gum Grafts: Strengthen & Protect Your Teeth
A gum graft is a dental procedure in which we carefully remove healthy gum tissue from another area of your mouth and use it to cover exposed roots or to build up your gums in areas of recession. Gum recession can cause temperature sensitivity, pain, and even loose teeth or tooth loss. A gum graft can help to protect your teeth and improve the aesthetics of your smile.
- The first step in a gum graft procedure is to numb the treatment area with local anesthesia.
- We will then make a small incision in your gums and gently remove a strip of tissue.
- This tissue will then be used to cover the exposed roots or to build up your gums in the areas of recession.
After your gum graft procedure, you may experience some swelling and discomfort. We will give you specific instructions on how to care for your gums as they heal. Most patients recover quickly and are fully healed from the procedure within one or two weeks.
Oral Appliance Therapy for TMJ, Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy is a form of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that involves wearing a mouthguard during sleep. The appliance holds the jaw in a forward position, keeping the airway open and preventing snoring or episodes of paused breathing.
Oral appliance therapy is often recommended for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea who cannot tolerate or do not respond well to other forms of treatment, such as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Oral appliance therapy is proven effective in reducing snoring and can improve sleep quality and daytime fatigue. There are a variety of oral appliances available, and we will work with you to find the appliance that works best for your needs.
If you think you might benefit from oral appliance therapy, contact our office today!
TMJ Therapy for Jaw Pain & Bite Correction
TMJ therapy is a type of treatment that is used to help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint is located in front of the ear and connects the lower jaw to the skull. It allows the lower jaw to move up and down, as well as side to side. Once this joint becomes inflamed, it leads to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and can cause a number of problems, including pain, teeth grinding, clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
There are a number of different ways that these painful symptoms can be alleviated:
- One common method is through the use of ice or heat packs. Applying ice to the outside of the cheek can help to reduce inflammation while applying heat can help to relax the muscles around the joint.
- Other methods of TMJ management include using over-the-counter medications to help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy exercises can also help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the joint.
- In some cases, a mouth guard may be recommended to help alleviate pain and tension in the jaw. If patients predominantly experience symptoms of teeth grinding or clenching with TMD, a mouthguard can help to limit the friction between the upper and lower teeth and reduce muscle tension.
If you are experiencing TMD symptoms and believe an oral appliance can help, it is important to consult with our team and begin the path to finding relief. Left untreated, TMD can cause long-term damage to the teeth, gums, and jawbone.
If you are concerned about the health of your gums, please call us today to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you maintain a healthy smile!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is Periodontal Care?
Periodontal care refers to the treatment and prevention of gum disease and other conditions affecting the gums and bone supporting your teeth. A periodontist Bellevue specializes in diagnosing and treating these issues, offering services like scaling, root planing, and gum surgery to maintain healthy gums and prevent tooth loss.
2. What Are the Different Periodontal Procedures?
Periodontal procedures vary based on the severity of the condition. Common treatments include deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), gum grafting, crown lengthening, and surgical procedures for advanced gum disease. A periodontist in Bellevue can recommend the best treatment based on your needs.
3. How Much Does Periodontal Treatment Cost?
The cost of periodontal treatment can vary based on the procedure and severity of the condition. Basic treatments like cleanings and scaling may cost less, while advanced procedures like surgery or grafting may be more expensive. Consulting a periodontist in Bellevue will give you a clearer idea of the costs based on your specific treatment plan.