What is Periodontal Disease?

What it is
Periodontal disease, known as gum disease or periodontitis, is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. In the United States, it is estimated that half of Americans aged 30 or older have advanced gum disease. While highly prevalent, this dental condition is preventable with a good oral health regimen.

Cause
Periodontal disease symptoms become apparent as bacteria and debris accumulate around teeth and below the gum line and hardens into tartar. If not removed by a professional, tartar and bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums and weakening of teeth.

There are variables that can increase your risk of periodontitis that range from genetic predisposition and underlying health conditions, to certain lifestyle habits. Diet, taking certain medications, decreased immunity, and hormonal changes can also increase your chances of developing gum disease.

Stages
Periodontitis begins with the onset of gingivitis. In this early stage, bacteria builds up, irritating the surrounding gums. As bacteria accumulate and plaque builds and hardens into tartar, there is a weakening of bone and connective tissue that keeps teeth in their sockets. As bacteria spreads, pockets that trap further bacteria begin to form around teeth and under soft tissue. In patients with advanced periodontal disease, teeth become loose and fall out.

Symptoms
One of the most difficult aspects of spotting periodontal disease without help from a dentist is that the condition can progress slowly in patients and may not always produce obvious signs. Patients may notice:
- Gum tenderness
- Gum recession
- Bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth or a change in teeth alignment

Diagnosis of gum disease typically involves visiting a dentist for a visual examination of your oral condition, as well as charting pocket depths and using X-Rays to check bone loss in areas with deeper periodontal pockets.

Treatment
Early diagnosis gives patients the greatest chance of reversing damage with nonsurgical treatments. These procedures include root scaling and planing, which removes tartar and bacteria from surfaces of teeth and beneath the gums and smooths root surfaces,. Antibiotics that are either taken orally or topically as a rinse, can also be used to reduce bacteria and inflammation.

For patients with advanced periodontitis, dental surgery may be the most effective option to reduce pocket size and restore the healthy appearance and supportive structure of soft tissue.

Prevention
Periodontal disease is preventable by practicing consistent and good oral hygiene. As a rule of thumb, you should be taking between 3-5 minutes twice day to care for your teeth and gums by flossing first to loosen any food particles and bacteria, and brushing to clean all surfaces of teeth. You should also visit your dentist twice a year for thorough teeth cleanings. Patients displaying early signs of gum disease may require more frequent dental visits throughout the year.

If are exhibiting signs and symptoms of gum disease, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you can receive treatment, the more likely you will be able to reverse any damage caused by periodontal disease.

Mini Implants or Traditional Implants?

Implant-supported dentures can be a saving grace for many patients seeking restorations to replace all natural teeth. Unfortunately, not every patient is eligible for regular-sized implants with dentures due to a number of factors that affect bone health. Innovations in modern dentistry have made mini dental implants an ideal alternative to dentures supported with full-sized dental implants, using smaller implants at a lower price.

Benefits of Mini Dental Implants

While traditional dental implants and mini dental implants work similarly to support prosthetic teeth, mini dental implants become the alternative of choice when patients are ineligible to receive traditional implants due to a lack of bone volume in the jaw or for financial reasons; mini dental implants are only a fraction of the cost for traditional implants.

Moreover, mini dental implants are also a fraction of the size, allowing for a wider range of patients to be eligible for treatment, especially for those with significant bone deterioration which makes traditional implants a non-option. With mini dental implants, edentulous patients with low bone density can look forward to a procedure that completely restores their smile through full dentures supposed by MDIs (mini dental implants).

Best Candidates for Mini Implants

Those with bone quality issues and are looking to securely fit dentures into place are best suited for this treatment method. Many edentulous patients, or those with total lack of natural teeth, use dentures and experience problems with the stability of their prosthesis. Traditional dentures sit on gums and rely on simple suction combined with dental adhesive for support. With mini dental implants added into bone, teeth are secured into place, relieving patients of discomfort caused by ill-fitting dentures.

When teeth are missing for extended periods of time, bone density deteriorates, making for a loose-fitting set of dentures after several years. Mini dental implants secure your dentures on a set of titanium implants which integrate with bone, increasing the stability of your bite, and creating increased comfort when performing regular daily tasks, such as eating and speaking. The titanium material used in the implants fuses with the jawbone, reinforcing the bone and preventing accelerated deterioration due to missing teeth.

Bone quality issues can cause complications when deciding on dental implants. In many cases, bone grafting is required in order to add sufficient stability to the jaw bone. Mini dental implants allow patients to avoid the bone grafting procedure, decreasing their treatment cost and time spent. That means less time spent in the office, less healing time, and more time enjoying your brand new set of teeth.

Ask Us about MDIs

For more information about mini dental implants, or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialist on staff, call the dental office of Norton Dental Associates in Norton, MA and make an appointment today.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

It may seem like the end of the world when you need a root canal. Root canal therapy is said to be uncomfortable and a difficult procedure for patients.  However, with modern dentistry, root canal therapy can be done with the use of anesthetics that work quickly and effectively.  At Norton Dental Group, we want to make sure that our patients are informed and comfortable; this blog post explain the process of root canal therapy and give patients peace of mind when it comes to receiving this treatment.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is just that: therapy. Its goal is to provide relief for patients, remove diseased tissue and tooth pulp, and restore the tooth to full functionality and aesthetics. After an examination determining if an infection is present and to what degree, your procedure can be planned accordingly. Within the next two visits patients have impressions taken of their tooth to create a prosthetic that will cover the treated tooth and restore structural integrity after your root canal procedure.

Dr. McMorrow then numbs the area being worked on and removes some of the surface of your tooth to expose the pulp. Pulp is removed and the canals are flushed with water to clean them. Then, temporary posts are placed inside and the tooth sealed until the crown is ready. When the crown is ready to go on your tooth, Dr. McMorrow removes the temporary filling and posts, replacing them with mercury-free metal. Then the crown is permanently affixed, adjusted to fit your bite balance; it’s all done before you know it. Many patients compare the root canal process to that of getting a traditional filling.

Benefits of Root Canals

Besides removing diseased tissue, root canal therapy saves the natural tooth and its root. Preserving the root will ensure that the jaw arches retain structure and minimize future dental work to correct bone deterioration from lack of stimulation. Bacteria can spread from tissue to tissue in our mouths, and if the infection gets deep enough without a tooth, procedures like root canal therapy may prove ineffective, making seeking immediate care important.

If bacteria spread beyond the roots of teeth, additional parts of your smile are negatively affected and may need care. Maintaining proper oral hygiene will protect most people from needing root canal therapy. Brushing and flossing are always important to protecting oral health and preventing infection, but accident and injury can also pose a threat to teeth. Seek our assistance immediately if you have a painful or broken tooth. 

Contact Your Norton Dentist

We want all of our patients to enjoy full, healthy smiles. Contact us if you are experiencing dental pain or if your teeth need a cleaning. Our gentle care is designed to serve