Gum disease is a progressive bacterial infection that affects millions of Americans. Treating gum disease is essential to treat serious medical concerns such as heart disease and tooth loss. Knoxville, TN periodontist Dr. Robert Cain provides comprehensive and personalized treatment plans for patients suffering from periodontal disease.
Dr. Cain uses a range of periodontal therapy procedures to help patients achieve optimal oral health. A highly trained and experienced periodontist, Dr. Cain uses the latest dental technology and technique for minimally invasive and highly effective treatment.
Dr. Cain is a certified LANAP dentist. LANAP is a laser treatment for patients that are dealing with the effect of advanced gum damage. He is also trained in Microscope dentistry. As a result, Dr. Cain can utilize microscopes that allow him to magnify very small images. This allows for more precision and accuracy in treatments.
Signs & Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Early diagnosis of periodontal disease can help to protect patients from tooth decay, tooth loss, and a range of systemic health concerns. Knowing the signs and symptoms of gum disease can help you spot the warning signs early for a chance at conservative treatment.
Regular professional dental cleanings can help keep your gums healthy and allow Dr. Cain to eradicate any signs of disease as soon as possible. If you notice any of the following changes in your oral health, be sure to contact our East Tennessee Periodontist office as soon as possible:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Change in the fit of dentures
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
Periodontal Microsurgery
Dr. Cain uses periodontal microsurgery to treat advanced periodontal concerns like periodontitis. Our Knoxville, TN dentist office focuses on complex restorations of the gums. Periodontal microsurgery is less invasive and highly effective for treating periodontal concerns.
What is periodontal microsurgery?
Periodontal microsurgery is the combination of small specialized tools and powerful magnification used to treat gum health concerns. Periodontal microsurgery is minimally invasive and causes less bleeding and swelling of the tissues than traditional methods.
Periodontist Dr. Cain is highly trained and experienced in using these tools and understands the subtlety and precision required for successful and natural-looking results. With precise and careful movements, Dr. Cain can create smaller incisions with cleaner edges for reduced downtimes. Most patients can resume their daily routines shortly after their treatment.
What conditions can periodontal microsurgery treat?
- Adding or Removing Gum Tissue
Advanced stages of gum disease cause the gum tissue to swell and detach from the teeth. The gums may begin to recede, leaving the tooth root exposed. Exposed tooth roots can cause sensitivity, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Periodontal microsurgery can add gum tissue to cover the root structure and prevent further tooth damage. - Soft Tissue Grafting
Dr. Cain will remove diseased tissue and replace it with healthy tissue grafted from the roof of your mouth. The healthy tissue is sutured in place and will cover the exposed root for a healthy and natural-looking smile. - Gum Tissue Removal
A broken tooth due to trauma or decay may need dental restoration. Some patients may experience excess gum tissue that will need to be adjusted or removed to make room for dental restoration. Periodontal microsurgery can remove excess gum tissue with little discomfort and minimal downtime. - Ridge Augmentation
Left untreated, missing teeth can cause the jawbone to lose density. After some time, the bone will begin to recede. Dr. Cain may need to augment the oral ridge to make it possible for a patient to receive a dental implant.
At East Tennessee Periodontics, our focus is to restore patients’ gum health so they may enjoy optimal oral health. Our highly trained and compassionate staff has years of experience using periodontal microsurgery.
Scaling & Root Planing
Periodontal disease is best treated when caught in the earliest stages. For patients with the beginning stages of gum disease, scaling & root planing can help eradicate infection and clean the gum pockets of bacteria to help prevent further damage to teeth and gums.
What is scaling and root planing?
Periodontal scaling and root planing are routine periodontal procedures. Dr. Cain uses this treatment option to remove plaque and tartar from the gums and enable infected tissue to heal. In some cases, we use a local anesthetic for the patient’s optimal comfort.
Dr. Cain will use a “scaler,” or an ultrasonic dental scaler, to reach beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. We clean and smooth the root surfaces so the gum line will properly heal and reattach.
Daily oral hygiene and biannual professional dental cleanings can help keep gums healthy. Brushing and flossing twice daily can help maintain your scaling and root planing procedure.
Additional Treatment Options
We treat every patient as an individual at our Knoxville, TN periodontist. Our dedicated and highly trained team will help you build a customized treatment plan to address your specific oral health and cosmetic goals. Dr. Cain offers a range of periodontal treatments for the individualized treatment of all patients.
Tissue Regeneration
Tissue regeneration rebuilds lost bone and tissue due to bone loss associated with periodontal disease. When left untreated, periodontal disease will begin to create pockets in the gum tissue allowing bacteria to grow and spread.
As the bacteria spread, the jaw bone that supports the infrastructure of your smile begins to break down. Once the bone tissue loses integrity, it jeopardizes the structure and function of the bite.
Tissue regeneration is used to help stimulate the natural regrowth of the bone. Dr. Cain will fold the gum tissue to remove bacteria from the pockets. Depending on oral health, Dr. Cain will use membranes, tissue-stimulating proteins, or bone grafts to help the body naturally regenerate bone and tissue.
Gingivectomy
Gum disease can often cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. This pulling creates deep pockets where bacteria can continue to grow. Gingivectomy can be used to clean the bacteria out of the pockets so that the pockets can close and heal, leaving behind healthy tissue. The gingivectomy procedure is best used before the bacteria has begun to affect the integrity of the bone structure.
The gingivectomy procedure removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue. Dr. Cain will clean out bacteria pockets between the teeth and gums. After removing the gum tissue, we place a putty-like substance over your gum line to protect your gums while they heal. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings, most patients can maintain their healthy gums for years.
Periodontal Therapy FAQs
Is gum disease contagious?
No. Gum disease itself is not a contagious or transmissible disease. You can not give someone gum disease by sharing food, drinks, or kissing. Even though the bacteria in your mouth can be shared through saliva, it will not directly cause gum disease.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes. Gum disease, left unchecked, can progress and cause tooth loss and other major dental issues. Tooth loss is an advanced symptom of gum disease and is only experienced in patients with severe and progressed gum disease. If you are in the early stages and are seeking treatment, you do not have to worry about your teeth falling out or dying off.
I think I may be in the early stages of gum disease. What kind of treatment do I need?
Patients in the early stages of gum disease can typically get rid of their bleeding gums symptoms with scaling and root planing in a single visit. It’s much easier and inexpensive to get rid of gum disease in the early stages than to wait.