Periodontal Disease:
Gingivitis or gum inflamation is the earliest stage of
periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, which is
the accumulation of food and bacteria on the teeth. Plaque
materializes into tartar (or calculus) which is a hardened film that
provides an excellent growth medium for bacteria. Bacteria are known
especially to thrive on the root surfaces under the gums. These
bacteria secrete toxins that destroy the bone surrounding the tooth.
Our office provides Soft Tissue Management to curtail and/or impede
bacterial damage to your teeth. With the use of anesthesia to eliminate
your discomfort, we clean under your gums to remove the tartar. In the
event that the bacteria have created "Deep Pockets," we may suggest
and treat you with Perio Chips.
The Perio Chip is manufactured by Astra Laboratories, who have
designed a treatment for periodontal pockets with a depth of greater
than 5 mm. The Perio Chip is a new and exciting concept! A small chip
is actually placed inside the pocket. Over a period of seven days the
chip dissolves in the pocket, thereby releasing a bacteria-destroying
agent. For greater healing and shrinkage of the pocket, the Perio Chip
can also be used as an adjunctive treatment to compliment scaling and
root planing. It does not need to be removed and does not visibly stain
the teeth. Minimal side effects have been reported. For your comfort,
nitrous is available for most procedures. Ask Mary Ann or Maureen for
more details.