Gum Disease Treatment – Studio City, CA
Protecting More Than Just Your Teeth
While much dentistry focuses on the teeth, the condition of the gums is just as important for the health and appearance of the smile. Without proper care, the gums can easily develop an infection called periodontal (gum) disease, which can cause tenderness, swelling, and even tooth loss. At Studio City Dental Arts, we always screen our patients’ gums during their regular dental checkups to detect and treat the earliest signs of a problem. If your gums feel sensitive or bleed when you brush your teeth, contact us today so we can protect your smile.
Why Choose Studio City Dental Arts for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Dentist with Nearly Two Decades of Experience
- We Welcome Your Dental Insurance
- Saturday Dental Appointments Available
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the soft oral tissues that surround your teeth and help hold them in place. As bleeding and inflammation become evident, these early symptoms can be reversed with regular professional cleanings and proper at-home oral hygiene. However, if left untreated, the effects can spread, causing gum pockets to form. If an infection reaches the bone, it can cause deterioration, leading to tooth loss.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
While your dentist is the only one who can formally diagnose you with gum disease, recognizing the symptoms early can lower your risk of experiencing more serious bacterial accumulation and inflammation.
Some of the most common signs that you have gum disease include:
- Bleeding, tender, and inflamed gum tissue
- Bad breath or halitosis
- A change in your bite (how your teeth come together)
- Gum recession
- Loose permanent teeth because of bone loss
How Do We Treat Gum Disease
At Studio City Dental Arts, Dr. Shahrestany takes gum disease seriously, which is why she offers two treatment options: scaling and root planing and antibiotic treatment. Based on the severity of your inflammation and gum pockets, she will determine the best course of action to ensure positive results.
Scaling & Root Planing
If we’re able to catch periodontal disease early, it can usually be treated with scaling and root planing, a dental cleaning focused on the gums. First, an ultrasonic cleaner is used to remove plaque and tartar deposits beneath the gumline (scaling), and then the rough surfaces of the teeth’s roots are gently smoothed (root planing). Why do we do this? This reduces the likelihood of plaque accumulating along the gums in the future, lowering a patient’s risk of reinfection.
Antibiotic Treatment
After an initial periodontal cleaning, Dr. Shahrestany may choose to apply a topical antibiotic to eliminate any bacteria that are still hidden deep below the gumline. She’ll use Arestin, which looks like a powder but is actually made of thousands of tiny microspheres, each filled with a powerful antimicrobial agent. Once on the gums, the spheres will slowly dissolve, allowing the medicine to reach any remaining bacteria.