Types of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease (Gum Disease) Highlands Ranch Dentist, Denver Dentist

Causes of Periodontal disease Highlands Ranch Dentistry, Denver Dentist

Our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentist. The main cause of periodontal disease is the bacteria found in plaque.  Bacteria can migrate under your gum and begin forming toxins that your body tries to reject As your body tries to defend itself from the plaque it has an unintended consequence of destroying the bone around the teeth.  At this point in time, once the bone is lost around the tooth it will not grow back.  Work with lasers may provide a solution to this problem but as of yet, it is still being researched.

When enough bone is lost around your teeth your teeth become mobile and eventually will fall out on their own.  Bone loss greater that 50% is considered advanced periodontal disease.

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What are periodontal diseases?

The word periodontal literally means perio (around) and dontal (tooth) so periodontal means "around the tooth." Periodontal diseases, also called gum diseases, is a serious bacterial infection that destroy the gums and the surrounding tissues (especially the bone). If the infection is left untreated, the disease will continue and the underlying bones around the teeth will erode away and the support for teeth will be lost. Chronic infection, resulting from a periodontal disease, is responsible for 70 percent of all adult tooth losses, and affects a majority of adults sometime in their life.

What causes periodontal disease?

As with many other oral health diseases, bacteria and plaque build-up is often the culprit. In fact, plaque build-up is the leading cause of gum disease. Other potential causes of gum disease include but are not limited to:

• Smoking (very big problem)
• Genetics
• Diabetes
• Clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism)
• A poor diet
• Systemic diseases
• Hormonal (pregnancy e.g.)
• Medications (Dilantin e.g.)
• A combination of one or more of the above factors!

What are the "symptoms" of periodontal disease?

The following are the most common symptoms of gum disease. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of gum disease may include but are not limited to:

• Bleeding while brushing and/or flossing
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• As disease worsens gums may not be red and swollen!
• Tooth mobility
• Receding gums
• Bad breathe 
• Pus around gums (advanced)
• Occlusal changes

What are the different types of periodontal disease?

The different types of periodontal disease (gum disease) are often classified by the stage the disease has advanced to at the time of evaluation, including but not limited to:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, the early form of periodontal disease

• Gums are likely to become red, swollen, and tender, causing them to bleed easily during daily cleanings and flossing.
• Dental cleaning (simple to complex) and ...
• Consistent care (recall or re-care dental visits)
• Certain oral microbial rinses (Peridex e.g.)

Early gum disease (Early periodontitsis)

• Bone loss from 1% to "around 20% (radiographic)
• Pocketing of 4mm and greater
• Scaling and root plaining treatment
• Occasional gum surgery
• Antimicrobial pastes may help (Arestin)
• Oral antimicrobial rinses may help (Peridex)
• Improvement in home care and diet

Moderate periodontitis (moderate gum disease)

Early gum disease if left untreated... "may".... lead to moderate gum disease. Moderate gum disease includes but is not limited to:

• Evidence of the bone loss around the tooth. (20 - 50%)
• Root plaining and scaling (deep cleaning) initial treatment.
• Possible gum surgery or referral to specialist
• Needs great home care
• Diet may need to be modified.

Advanced periodontitis (advanced gum disease)

Pocketing (periodontal probe readings of 5+ mm to over 9mm).  This includes but is not limited to:

• Bone loss of 50% or more
• Mobility of teeth
• Possible periodontal (gum) surgery)
• Possible loss of tooth/teeth.
• Home care improvement
• Diet modification

Treatment for periodontal disease:

Specific treatment for periodontal disease will be determined by our Highlands Ranch dentist based on:

• Medical history (can be very complex)
• Age (younger you are the more aggresive it can be)
• Type classification of gum disease (gingivitis, early, moderate, or severe)
• What you "want" to have done (informed consent)
• Likely prognosis (smoking decreases prognosis)

Treatment may include any, or a combination of, the following:

• Deep cleaning (Scaling and root planing)
• Perfection of home care (brushing and flossing)
• Diet modification        
• Oral rinses (Peridex e.g.)
• Anti-microbial pastes (Arestin e.g.)
• Various types of gum (periodontal) surgery
• Extraction of poor or hopeless (prognosis) teeth
• Dental implants

Highlands Ranch dentist, Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide periodontal dental services at their office. Many of our dental patients come from Douglas County, Lone Tree Castle Pines, Denver, and the Parker Colorado area.  Please feel free to contact our Highlands Ranch dental office at (303) 694-9740 for an appointment today.