- What is Gum Disease?
- What Causes Gum Disease?
- Can gum disease affect the rest of my body?
- How do you prevent gum disease?
- What does periodontal treatment involve?
- What are the symptoms of Gum Disease?
- What are MDI’s and what are they used for?
- How are MDI’s different from traditional implant systems?
- What is a root canal?
- Why would I need root canal treatment?
- Does my tooth always have to hurt before root canal treatment is done?
- How is the root canal performed?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease is a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue. It is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four people at some point in their life. Periodontal diseases include Gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder form affecting only the gum tissue, while periodontitis affects the gums and surrounding ligaments and bone.
Bacterial plaque – a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth – is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. If plaque isn’t removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus (also known as tartar). Toxins produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets that fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets extend deeper, and the bacteria moves down until the bone that holds the tooth in place is destroyed. The tooth eventually will fall out or require extraction.
We now know that gum disease and the causative bacteria have a direct deleterious affect on our general health and other body systems. These include:
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Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease – Gum disease increases the risk of clogged arteries and heart disease, although the extent of this connection is unclear. Gum disease can also worsen existing heart disease.
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Stroke – Gum disease increases the risk of the type of stroke that is caused by blocked arteries.
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Diabetes – People with diabetes and periodontal disease are more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
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Premature Births – A woman who has gum diseases during pregnancy is more likely to deliver her baby too early and the infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight. One study showed that up to 18% of premature, low birth-weight babies might be linked to maternal gum disease.
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Respiratory Disease – Gum disease may cause lung infections and worsen existing lung conditions when bacteria from the mouth reach the lungs.
Removing plaque through daily brushing, flossing and professional cleaning is the best way to minimize your risk. We can design a personalized program of home oral care to meet your needs.
In the early stages of gum disease, most treatment involves a special service called scaling and root planning. This involves removing the plaque, tartar, and infection from around the tooth to the depth of the pocket. Antibiotics or antimicrobials may be used to supplement the effects of scaling and root planning. In most cases of early gum disease, scaling and root planning and proper daily cleaning achieve a satisfactory result. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums and removing the hardened plaque build-up, and recontouring the damaged bone. The procedure is also designed to smooth root surfaces and reposition the gum tissue so it will be easier to keep clean.
Periodontal infection is usually painless until it reaches an advanced stage. However, there are some symptoms that can indicate the presence of periodontal infection. These include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing (pink toothbrush) or at other times
- Aching, itchy, sore or tender gums
- Receding gums (teeth beginning to look longer)
- Bad breath
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Loose, separating or protruding teeth
- Spaces between teeth
Mini Dental Implants (MDI’s) are miniature (only 1.8mm wide) titanium alloy fixtures that are placed in the jawbone. Traditionally, MDI’s have been used to hold denture plates in position, providing patients with the ability to eat, smile and speak with comfort and confidence. Today, the use of this non-surgical MDI’s technology has been expanded and can be used for replacing a single missing tooth or a full mouth restoration. Thousands of implants have been placed with this simple, cost effective procedure.
Traditional implants require a relatively large amount of bone. They are placed by making an incision in the gum, coring out an area in the bone, placing the implant and stitching the gums back into place. It typically takes months of healing time before this type of implant can be used. MDI’s are only 1.8 mm thick (about the size of a wooden toothpick) and can therefore be placed in areas where minimal bone exists. There are no incisions or stitches needed so discomfort is minimized. Best of all, the MDI’s can be used the same day they are placed. That means that in one short visit your MDI’s implants can be placed and your denture or other prosthesis can be firmly secured to them. You may go out and eat a meal after the procedure.
Traditional implants require a relatively large amount of bone. They are placed by making an incision in the gum, coring out an area in the bone, placing the implant and stitching the gums back into place. It typically takes months of healing time before this type of implant can be used. MDI’s are only 1.8 mm thick (about the size of a wooden toothpick) and can therefore be placed in areas where minimal bone exists. There are no incisions or stitches needed so discomfort is minimized. Best of all, the MDI’s can be used the same day they are placed. That means that in one short visit your MDI’s implants can be placed and your denture or other prosthesis can be firmly secured to them. You may go out and eat a meal after the procedure.
The canal is a small hollow space that goes into your tooth via the root tip. In a healthy tooth nerves and blood vessels are contained within the canal system. They allow you to tell when things are hot or cold, and to determine how hard you are biting.
When a tooth sustains enough trauma the contents in the canal start to die. This trauma can come from a blow to the tooth, decay, or even things like excessively grinding your teeth over time. When the canal contents degenerate, your body reacts to them as it would any foreign substance. It is now time for us to open the tooth and remove the canal contents for you.
No. Symptoms that require root canal treatment certainly can be pain, hot, cold or pressure. There are times however, when the canal contents have died so slowly over a long period of time that painful symptoms do not occur. We discover the degeneration of the canal contents via x-ray then begin treatment accordingly.
The tooth is anaesthetized in a manner similar to that used for fillings or other general dental work. The tooth is then isolated via a rubberized matrix. This prevents you from swallowing any bacteria or debris from the canal. Next, tiny nickel titanium files are inserted into the canal system to remove the canal contents. Two different antibacterial solutions are used here to flush out loose debris and disinfect the canal. When the canal system is clean and dry, a biocompatible sealing agent is placed into the tooth and the canal system is sealed shut.
