Periodontal Treatment San Francisco

Gums play an important role in your oral health. They provide support and protection for your teeth and help keep your mouth healthy. When gums become damaged or diseased, they can lead to problems like tooth loss. In the United States alone, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is estimated that 46% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease.

At Young Dental SF Group, we provide several different periodontal treatments. The type of treatment that is right for you will depend on the severity of your condition. To learn more about periodontal treatment in San Francisco, scaling and root planing in San Francisco or to schedule a consultation, call (415) 392-8611 or fill out the online booking form. 

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that can damage the bone around your teeth. It is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Plaque produces toxins that irritate and inflame the gums. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into calculus (tartar). Calculus is more difficult to remove and can only be removed by a professional cleaning.

If plaque and calculus are not removed, they will continue to damage the gums and bone. This can eventually lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to other health problems like stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.

Types of Gum Disease

There are two main types of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. Symptoms are red, swollen, and bleeding gums. At this stage, the condition is reversible. It can be treated with professional cleaning and good oral hygiene at home.

Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of periodontal disease. In addition to red, swollen, and bleeding gums, periodontitis can cause gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss. Periodontitis is not reversible, but it can be managed with proper treatment.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The symptoms of gum disease include:

• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath
• Painful chewing
• Sensitive teeth
• Loose teeth
• Bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away

If you experience any of these symptoms, please call our clinic at (415) 392-8611 to schedule a consultation. We offer the best periodontal treatment in San Francisco.

Periodontal Treatment

Treatment for periodontal disease depends on the severity of the disease. Good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash, is the first step in treating gingivitis. Professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove plaque and calculus that has built up on the teeth.

If you have periodontitis, your dentist may recommend deep cleaning, scaling, and root planing. This procedure removes plaque and calculus from below the gum line. Your dentist may also recommend medications or surgery to treat periodontitis.

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning is a non-surgical procedure that removes plaque and calculus below the gum line. Deep cleaning is usually done under local anesthesia. You may feel some pressure and vibration, but you should not feel any pain. The goal of deep cleaning is to remove the tartar and bacteria that are causing inflammation and infection.

After a deep cleaning, your gums may be sore for a few days. You may also have some bleeding and swelling. These side effects are expected and should resolve within a week.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are similar to deep cleaning and are done using local anesthesia. Scaling removes the tartar and bacteria from above and below the gum line. Root planing smoothes the root surface so the gums can reattach to the teeth. This is important because when the gums are inflamed, they can pull away from the teeth (recede). This creates pockets that can become infected.

After scaling and root planing, your gums may be sore for a few days. You may also have some bleeding and swelling. These side effects should improve within a week.

Hard and Soft Tissue Grafting

In some cases, the gum tissue may be so damaged that it needs to be replaced. This procedure is called gum grafting. Gum grafting can be done using tissue from another part of your mouth (autogenous graft) or artificially produced tissue (allogeneic graft). Hard tissue grafting is done to replace bone loss due to periodontal disease, and soft tissue grafting is done to replace lost gum tissue.

Laser Gum Treatment

Laser gum treatment is a type of surgery that uses a laser (wavelengths of light) to remove diseased tissue and bacteria. The laser targets the tartar and bacteria below the gum line without harming the healthy tissue. The laser also kills the bacteria that cause inflammation. Laser treatment can be used to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. 

There are two types of laser gum surgery:

1. Diode laser surgery. This laser removes the soft tissue and bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

2. Erbium laser surgery. This laser is used to remove the diseased hard tissue around the tooth.

Laser gum surgery is usually done in one or two sessions. The length of each session depends on the severity of the disease. Most people report little to no pain after laser gum surgery. If you’re looking for laser treatment for gums in San Francisco call us to book a consultation.

Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is a popular cosmetic procedure that is used to improve the appearance of the gums. Gum contouring can be done for aesthetic reasons or to improve the function of the gums. It works by using a laser to remove excess gum tissue and contouring the gums to give them a more desirable shape. Its results are immediate and it requires little to no recovery time. Gum contouring is usually done in one or two sessions and the length of each session depends on the extent of the procedure.

If you are considering cosmetic periodontal surgery in San Francisco, visit us at Young Dental SF Group. We offer a wide range of cosmetic treatments to regain your smile after periodontal treatments.

The Best Periodontal Treatments in San Francisco

If you need periodontal treatment, talk with our experienced staff at Young Dental SF Group and our partner practice at Post Street Dental. Our dentists offer industry-leading solutions to treat all kinds of periodontal disease. We will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Call us at (415) 392-8611 to make an appointment with the best dentists in San Francisco.

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