Periodontics in Hollywood, Florida

Gum disease typically starts off as gingivitis. At this early stage, you may notice that you experience sore or swollen gums that sometimes bleed during brushing and flossing. While this is upsetting, the good news is that you can reverse the condition if it is treated early before any serious damage occurs.

When the infection is left untreated, it can worsen and cause your gums to begin to develop pockets that make them pull away from the teeth. Over time, this can weaken the ligaments and bone that hold your teeth in the proper place. Sadly, gum disease is the main reason why adults lose their teeth.

Periodontists are dentists who have received additional education to become a gum disease expert. In addition to regular dental education requirements, they go on to complete approximately two to three years of extra training that pertains to gum disease management, how to place dental implants and specialized cosmetic techniques such as lip repositioning and gum contouring.

When you have concerns about gum disease, contact Dental Associates of Hollywood today so that we can set you up with an appointment with our periodontist in Hollywood.

How Can a Periodontist Help?

Periodontal services involve treating problems that affect the soft gum tissue in your mouth. Interestingly, periodontics is a word that is derived from two Greek words. These are, “perio,” which simply means “around” and “dontic” which translates to “tooth.” A periodontist is a gum disease expert who provides the following services:

Treatment for Periodontal Disease

When plaque, aka that sticky material that builds up on your teeth after eating or drinking, accumulates it can lead to gum disease.

Regular brushing and flossing helps to remove bacteria before it begins to break down the tooth enamel and cause cavities. This same bacteria also attacks your soft gum tissue. Eventually, this begins to cause an infection that breaks down the ligaments that play an important role in keeping your teeth in their sockets.

If you have noticeable bone loss in your jaw or loose teeth, then a gum disease specialist in Hollywood can help.

Placement of Dental Implants

Today, dental implants are viewed as an ideal alternative to dentures because they provide long-lasting replacement teeth that look natural. They are also ideal because the way that they are placed allows them to be embedded in your jawbone in a way that mimics a natural tooth root.

Most people are familiar with implants being used with a crown, but they can also be used to secure bridges or dentures firmly in their place. One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that they prevent further loss of your jawbone while keeping your current teeth in the correct position. This helps provide additional cosmetic benefits such as preventing lines around your mouth.

Performing Crown Lengthening

The part of the tooth that you see above the gum line is the crown. When crown lengthening is performed, the gum around the tooth is reduced so that you can see more of the top part of your tooth. This procedure can be performed in a periodontics office, and it serves several different purposes. For instance, it may be necessary to lengthen your tooth to create a snugger fit when a crown is being placed or to make space for a bracket when you get braces. Some people use this service to make the gum line more even or to eliminate extra gum tissue that causes aesthetic concerns.

Grafting Gums and Soft Tissue

With gum disease, it is common for people to experience gum recession that exposes their tooth root. Gum grafting is a service that replaces the tissue. Reduced tooth sensitivity and bone loss are two benefits of having this service performed.

Diagnosing Oral Cancer and Pathologies

There has been a dramatic increase in oral cancer recently that has risen with the higher incidence of HPV. When pathologies are detected, our periodontist in Hollywood will collect tissue samples to send to a lab for an accurate diagnosis so that you can explore possible methods for treatment.

Fixing a Gummy Smile

When you have excess gum tissue, it can detract from your smile by making your teeth appear too short. Our gum disease specialist uses a special technique called gum contouring to shape your gums to create a more even appearance. With any type of treatment you need, we will make sure that you are comfortable. Ask us about your options for sedation, such as laughing gas, when you contact us for periodontics in Hollywood.

Call Us Today to Consult with Our Gum Specialist

Think of your gums a tool used to gently frame your teeth so that they stay in the right places and give you a lovely smile. When you experience a problem with your gums, reach out to our periodontist at Dental Associates of Hollywood by calling (954) 246-4851. This way, we can get started answering your questions and provide you with a treatment plan that gives you a healthy smile.