Periodontics

What is periodontics?

Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that diagnoses, treats, and prevents gum disease. Gum disease is a blanket term that refers to inflammation of the soft tissues that support your teeth, including the gingiva, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament.

There are many types of gum disease, but Dr. Pillai focuses on two of the most common:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the most basic type of gum disease and causes irritation, redness, and swelling. If your gums regularly bleed when brushing or flossing, it may be due to gingivitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis occurs if gingivitis continues to progress. It’s a serious infection that causes gum recession and bone decay. Periodontitis doesn’t just affect your oral health. Research suggests it increases your risk of heart and lung disease as well. 

What services does periodontics provide?

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, Dr. Pillai offers various periodontics services, including:

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing, or deep teeth cleaning, is a procedure used to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and underneath your gum line. 

During treatment, Dr. Pillai cleans your teeth all the way to the root (scaling). Afterward, she smooths the surfaces of your teeth (planing), allowing your gums to reattach while preventing further recession. 

Antibiotic treatment

If you have a serious gum infection, Dr. Pillai might recommend antibiotic treatment in combination with scaling and root planing. There are various oral antibiotic drugs to keep harmful bacteria in check.

Gum grafting

If your gums start to recede, gum grafting might be necessary. Gum tissue can’t regenerate on its own. Gum grafting uses healthy tissue from the roof of your mouth or a donor and fills in areas where your gums receded. Dr. Pillai stitches the graft in place, adding tissue to the affected area.

What if I need additional periodontics treatment?

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, Dr. Pillai provides most periodontics services on-site. However, if you have a severe case of gum disease that needs additional treatment, she can refer you to a specialist or oral surgeon in the area. Dr. Pillai coordinates care throughout the entire process to ensure you achieve a positive outcome.

Dr. Pillai takes pride in working with her patients to achieve good oral health. She uses advanced technology in-office and patients love her wonderful chairside manner. 

To learn more about periodontics, schedule an appointment at Aesthetic Family Dentistry. Book online or call the office today.