- 3033 Immel St Unit 500, Abbotsford, BC V2S 6S2 CA
Periodontal Services
Suffering from gum discomfort or pain? At Fraser Valley Dental Specialists in Abbotsford, our friendly and dedicated periodontist provides prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for patients suffering from gum disease.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is an infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film comprised of food debris, bacteria, and saliva.
If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they inflame the tissues surrounding the teeth.
Symptoms
Periodontal disease presents a variety of symptoms including:
- Swollen gums
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Red gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
You may not even be aware that you have gum disease, as it is usually painless in its early stages.
Early detection is key.
Gum disease is treatable and early detection can be important for successful treatment.
Diagnosis
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal (gum) disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
Treatment
If the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb.
In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.
Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.