Periodontics Treatment in Connecticut

At Shoreline Dental Care, we take your oral health seriously, and that includes your gum health. Infected gums can lead to tooth loss and other dental problems. The good news is, gum disease is easily treatable if we catch it early.

Periodontics focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infected gum tissue. Our periodontists are specially trained in advanced periodontics, so you can be sure you’re in good hands when you visit either one of our offices in Milford or West Haven, CT for periodontal care.

The Early Stage: Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene.

Symptoms of gingivitis may include:

These symptoms are caused by bacteria that turns into plaque and eventually hardens into tartar on your teeth and under your gum line. If gingivitis is detected and treated quickly, it can be reversed before too much damage is done. If it is left untreated, it can turn into more advanced periodontal disease that requires more invasive treatments.

The Advanced Stage: Periodontitis

When the inflamed gum lines of gingivitis go untreated, the bacteria and swelling will spread deeper below the gum line. When this happens, the gum tissue around your teeth begins to pull away and detach from the teeth. The gum “pockets” grow deeper, and bone structure begins to deteriorate. Periodontitis can cause serious damage to the soft tissues and bones surrounding your teeth.

Symptoms of advanced periodontal disease may include:

tender of bleeding gums
discomfort when eating or drinking
teeth that are very sensitive to hot or cold
loose teeth

gum recession
exposed tooth root
bone loss or bone deterioration

When periodontal disease has advanced to this stage, it is more difficult to treat, and more invasive dental treatment may be needed, such as tooth extraction, bone grafting, and dental implants.

Periodontal Treatments We Offer

If your teeth have been badly damaged by severe gum disease, there are several effective treatments that we can explore to restore your smile and give you healthy, beautiful teeth again.

Scaling and Root Planing

The first line of defense against gingivitis or periodontal disease is a deep cleaning that involves scaling and root planing. During this deep cleaning, the periodontist will use special tools to remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line. The goal of this procedure is to keep the bacteria from spreading and causing further infection.

Gum Grafting & Bone Grafting Surgery

For more advanced cases, gum grafting may be necessary. This is a surgical technique that uses healthy soft tissue from other areas of your mouth (or from a tissue donor) to replace deep pockets of receding gums and protect the exposed tooth roots.

In cases of periodontitis where the jaw bone has begun to deteriorate, bone grafting surgery may be necessary. Similar to gum grafting, bone grafting uses donor bone to repair and rebuild the damaged jaw bones. This strengthens the bone structure so it properly supports the teeth.

Dental Implant Surgery

If the tooth decay has damaged your teeth beyond repair, you may need dental implant surgery. There are a number of different options for dental implant procedures, ranging from single tooth implants to full mouth dental implants. Depending on the severity of damage to your teeth, the periodontist will give you treatment options to meet your needs.

PerioLase: Laser Gum Disease Treatments

When it comes to treating gum disease, surgery can sometimes be avoided by using a less invasive gum recession treatment called PerioLase, which is used as a complement to a deep cleaning of the gums. This safe laser removes the bacteria which causes the infection and creates a sterile environment for rapid healing.

Dr. Joseph Tartagni is a certified LANAP® dentist and has received extensive training and experience using the LANAP protocol. With no surgery required, the LANAP procedure involves less discomfort and less downtime. No cut. No sew. No fear!

Contact Shoreline Dental Care for Periodontal Procedures in Connecticut

Our dental specialists have advanced training in periodontics, so you can be sure that you’re getting high-quality dental care with you visit one of our Connecticut offices. Our dedicated team provides the highest level of care in a safe and comfortable environment. Our periodontist will develop a treatment plan to meet your needs!