Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

Scott Chanin, D.M.D. FAGD

Do you suffer from or worry that you may suffer from periodontal disease? Some of the common warming signs of periodontal disease include:

• Swollen gums
• Bright red or purplish gums
• Gums that feel tender when touched
• Gums that recede from your teeth, making your teeth appear longer
• New spaces between your teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Bad breath
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Loose teeth
• A change in the way that your teeth fit together when you bite

If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you may suffer from periodontal disease. In the past, a common solution for periodontal disease was surgical periodontal treatment. However, Diamond Dental Associates is now offering a Non-Surgical alternative for periodontal treatment. With this new treatment, soft tissue management can be combined with medicine placed below the gum line that kills the bacteria that causes periodontal disease and soft tissue pocketing. This medicine is supplied in the form of a medicament embedded in a small chip that is inserted under the gum line. It is called Perio Chip (Chlorhexidine Gluconate).

Studies have shown that patients who received PerioChip® after scaling and root planning experience a statistically significant reduction in the depth of their periodontal pockets versus patients who were treated with scaling and root planning alone when measured at nine months after initial treatment with PerioChip. Once gum disease has been diagnosed, immediate action is required in order to avoid its progression. If left untreated, the gum may deteriorate.

PerioChip remains in place for about 10 days and there is no need to remove it since it is biodegradable and dissolves by itself. There is a follow up visit to see the results and determine if any additional treatment is necessary. At Diamond Dental Associates, we are proud to provide this new treatment to give our patients the best and most efficient results that help improve their dental health.

Gum disease has several causes. While daily oral hygiene routines, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing, are critical elements in preventing or controlling gum disease, genetic disposition also plays an important role.

Some reasons for gum disease are:

• • Lack of adequate oral hygiene, resulting in local bacterial infection
  • Deficient crowns/fillings
  • Poor nutrition/diet
  • Smoking
  • Extreme tension/stress
  • Genetic disposition
  • Uncontrollable, systemic diseases (cancer, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, etc.)
  • Drugs influencing the health of the gums (medicine for hypertension, epilepsy, etc.)

The primary cause of gum disease is an adhesive, colorless layer, called plaque, which accumulates on the surface of the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it hardens and turns into tartar (calculus). Bacteria in the plaque cause infection and destruction of the gum tissues supporting the teeth. When this occurs, the gum separates from the teeth, creating a pocket.

There are various types, or classes, of gum disease. Chronic gum disease is the most common class, affecting mostly adults. You can and should check yourself for the warning signs of gum disease. You may, however, have gum disease that has spread to the bone without any symptoms whatsoever. Most people do not experience any pain as a result of gum disease and, as a result, it often goes undetected. It is important to have regular dental checkups, including a periodontal examination. If you notice any of the previously mentioned symptoms, is it very important that you make an appointment as soon as possible before your symptoms worsen.

We recommend Perio Chip as part of a periodontal maintenance program as a proactive way to treat periodontal disease. Call Dr. Chanin at 908-838-0004 for further information about PerioChip and how we can help protect your healthy and beautiful smile with this new non-surgical technique.