Most tooth loss in those 35 and younger is from athletic trauma, fights or accidents. The cause of most tooth loss in people over 35 is gum disease, which affects more than 80 percent of U.S. adults.
Unchecked, it will spread and cause infection, swelling, tenderness, increased risk for diseases and ultimately, tooth and bone loss. Caught early, we can treat it with non-surgical therapy, which involves using a soft tissue laser to immediately remove bacteria, plaque and tartar from periodontal pockets. In some cases, no anesthesia is necessary.
Laser treatment promotes fast healing for quick reattachment of gum tissue to teeth. This type of treatment may be all that is needed, especially when the disease is caught early during regular checkups. In some cases, certain procedures may need to be taken care of before periodontal therapy can begin, such as replacing worn fillings or crowns with overhanging margins that can accumulate plaque.
After gum disease therapy, we will place you on a maintenance schedule. During future visits, we will record data about the depth of your periodontal pockets so that we can track treatment progress.
Contact us to determine if you need treatment for gum disease.
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Gum disease treatment (.pdf)