Do you suffer from gum disease or a lack of jawbone integrity? Do you have a receding gum line or a gummy smile? Are you missing teeth? If so, you may be a candidate for periodontics. At Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants (SoCO Perio), we offer advanced periodontal care right here in Colorado Springs. We aim to help restore your periodontal health and save your teeth.
Periodontics is the branch of dental health that focuses on the health of the gums and jawbones. There are various periodontal treatments, ranging from preventive procedures to aesthetic procedures. To provide these treatments, a dentist needs years of extra training and practice.
Schedule your periodontics appointment today at SoCO Perio:
What is periodontics?
Periodontics focuses on the supporting structures of the teeth. This field specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders affecting the gums and jawbones. It provides an essential service for patients. By helping to keep gums healthy, periodontists ensure that your teeth can stay firmly in place.
A periodontist can provide care when you are already dealing with gum disease. They can also help you prevent gum disease from happening in the first place. Most procedures focus on gingivitis and periodontitis. These inflammatory diseases affect the gums and gradually kill gum tissue.
However, periodontics can also involve other oral tissues. It can treat the jawbone and the roots of the teeth. This can restore damage caused by gum disease.
Types of periodontal treatments
There are a lot of different treatment types. To better understand periodontics, it is helpful to learn about common procedures. These are some of the treatments you might encounter.
- Periodontal cleaning: Also called prophylaxis, this treatment removes bacteria before they worsen gum disease.
- Scaling and root planing: This procedure removes bacteria and tartar below the gum surface.
- Pocket reduction surgery: If chronic inflammation led to pockets of loose gum tissue, a periodontist can tighten these pockets. This helps the gums hold onto the teeth better.
- Dental crown lengthening: This removes excess gum tissue. It helps teeth appear longer and larger.
- Soft tissue grafts: If your gums have receded significantly, grafts can help restore lost tissue.
- Dental implant: In cases of tooth loss, your doctor can attach implants to the jawbone. This provides natural-looking and feeling teeth.
- Gum Contouring: Your periodontist can adjust the shape (contouring) of your gums to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
When should you see a periodontist?
Periodontics can help anytime you are having a problem with your gums or jaw. Even if your issues are very minor, a periodontist can assist with prevention. Another thing they can help with is aesthetics. If you feel your gums are impacting your smile, a periodontist can help. Some reasons you might need periodontics include:
- Your gums are receding.
- You have swollen or red gums.
- You have a ‘gummy’ smile.
- Your breath smells bad constantly.
- You are missing one or more teeth.
- Your gums are sensitive to the touch.
- Your gums bleed easily.
- You feel uncomfortable with your current smile.
Average costs for periodontics
Since periodontics is such a broad field, there is no single treatment estimate. It just depends on what care you get. For example, scaling and root planing costs around $200. Meanwhile, in the United States, a dental implant can cost around $4,000. For the typical treatment of gum disease, expect to pay between $500 and $3,000.
If you have dental insurance, your costs may be lower. Since periodontal disease is a serious health issue, most insurance plans typically cover it. Depending on your plan, this can mean that your treatment is either free or more affordable. Your doctor may also offer payment plans if you are concerned about the costs.
Benefits of periodontic treatments
Periodontics has many benefits. Medical research has found that periodontal treatment is the most effective way to manage gum disease. In 95% of cases, treatment prevents gum disease from progressing further. More than half of the patients were also able to significantly reduce their symptoms. Those who followed their doctor’s instructions for oral health care had even better outcomes.
Reference: onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Periodontic treatment has such a high success rate because it addresses the root causes of gum disease. All treatments help remove the bacteria and infected tissue that harm the gums. Periodontics can then address the consequences of gum disease by adding extra tissue or removing gum pockets. This helps create a healthier environment where teeth get the support they need.
At Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants in Colorado Springs, we specialize in providing a full range of periodontic care. Our team is happy to help with everything from basic cleanings to full gum disease treatment and dental implants. Don’t delay periodontic treatment. Prompt care at a state-of-the-art facility makes a huge difference. Schedule an appointment today for a periodontics consultation.