How to Treat Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects over half of the adult population in the United States. It results from bacteria overwhelming your oral tissues and manipulating your immune system’s inflammatory response. Swelling is a natural response to inflammation, and when controlled, can help drive out harmful microorganisms before infection sets in. In the case of gum disease, however, the chronic presence of germs can lead to excessive inflammation and damage to your gums. Before the disease irreversibly damages your smile’s foundation, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas can prescribe innovative gum disease treatment according to the severity of your situation.

More than a Typical Cleaning

During a typical dental checkup and cleaning, one of the things Dr. Loukas inspects is the state of your periodontal health, including the depth of your periodontal pockets, if any. Certain bacteria release toxins that attack the connective tissues between your gums and teeth. As your gums recede, small pockets form that collect additional bacteria and exacerbate the infection. A deep periodontal cleaning, or scaling and root planing, involves removing germs from underneath your gum line and smoothing your teeth’s roots to inhibit bacteria from clinging to them. Along with meticulous home care, Dr. Loukas may also recommend antibiotics and antimicrobial mouthrinse to combat bad bacteria.

Restoring What’s Lost

If your gum disease has progressed enough to destroy any portion of your gum tissue, then you may require a gum graft to restore what was lost. Your gums protect your vulnerable teeth roots from bacteria, and effectively keeping gum disease under control requires full, healthy gum tissue. In severe cases, the inflammation and infection can exceed your gum tissue and erode the jawbone underneath, leading to the loss of one or more teeth. After successfully treating your gum disease, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas can replace your lost teeth with an appropriate amount of dental implants. The prosthetic root devices are surgically implanted into the jawbone to support a lifelike dental crown, dental bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth you’ve lost.

About Your Park Ridge Dentists:

Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919.