Periodontal Health
Note: Research has now shown that the bacterial toxins in dental plaque which cause periodontal disease may also significantly increase the risk for Heart Disease. Many of the same bacteria found in dental plaque have also been isolated in the lungs of patients with pneumonia and COPD. Pregnant women with periodontal disease are at much greater risk to deliver premature or low birth weight babies. Good Periodontal health will help you achieve and maintain good general health.
Periodontal health and periodontal disease refers to the condition of the gum tissue (gingiva) and the bone that support the teeth. The American Dental Association makes the following classifications of Periodontal Health/Disease and these general treatment reccomendations. Dr. Stanley will do a periodontal examination on all new patients; inform you in writing of your condition; and base treatment reccomendations on the accepted standards.
1. Normal Gingiva: Healthy, pink tissue with no significant inflammation or bleeding. Pocket depth of less than 3mm. Recommended Treatment: Preventive Hygiene appointments every 6 months.
2. Gingivitis: Gingival tissues have areas of inflammation and bleeding. Pockets of 3mm. or less. Recommended Treatment: Preventive Hygiene Appointments every 4-6 months.
3. Early Periodontitis: Significant areas of inflammation and bleeding. Generalized pockets of 3-4 mm. and evidence of slight periodontal bone loss on X-rays.
Recommended Treatment:
a. Light to Moderate Calculus: Routine initial "scaling and plaque removal" followed in 1-2 weeks by fine scaling and polishing. Preventive Hygiene appointments every 4 months.
b. Moderate to Heavy Calculus: Non-surgical "scaling and root planing with local anesthetic" for each half of the mouth, followed in 1-2 weeks by fine scaling and polishing. Preventive hygiene appointments every 3-4 months.
4. Moderate Periodontitis: Significant areas of generalized bleeding, inflammation and periodontal infection. Periodontal pockets of 4-6 mm. with evidence of measurable bone loss on X-rays.
Reccomended Treatment: Non-surgical "scaling and root planing with local anesthetic" for each half or each quadrant of the mouth as needed (based on the extent of calculus buildup, bone loss and the overall pocket depth), followed in 1-2 weeks by fine scaling and polishing. Preventive hygiene appointments and re-evaluation every 3 months. Surgical treatment by a periodontal specialist may be recommended by Dr. Stanley if the condition does not show significant improvement.
5. Advanced Periodontitis: Generalized bleeding, redness, periodontal infection, and tooth mobility. Extensive bone loss is evident on X-rays. Non-surgical treatment of "scaling and root planing with local anesthetic" is rarely successful by itself. Evaluation and treatment by a periodontal specialist is always recommended by Dr. Stanley.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure that removes bacterial plaque, calcified deposits, and bacterial toxins from deep periodontal pockets. Normal Hygiene appointments and routine home care alone will not treat or prevent Periodontal Disease. To insure complete comfort during treatment, a local anesthetic is administered to the area to be treated . Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. The pockets are then irrigated with an antimicrobial solution to promote normal healing. It is important to remove the bacterial plaque, calcified deposits and toxins from the periodontal pockets to allow the gingival tissues to regain their health as well as promote good general health.
