More Than A Number

Periodontal disease is an infection of the area around a tooth. If left untreated, the condition can lead to tooth loss or worse. The disease is a chronic bacterial infection, and it affects the health of gums and supportive bone around the teeth. It is caused by plaque that inflames the gums and gets progressively worse until treated. Methods of treatment involve cleaning the area and, when necessary, removing damaged tissue. Sometimes cosmetic dentistry can restore the aesthetic appearance when tissue damage is extensive.

The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Patients with this condition feel little to no discomfort in early stages. Gingivitis usually results from lax oral hygiene, but it is reversible with treatment and diligent attention to brushing and flossing teeth regularly. When gingivitis goes uncorrected, it can leave to periodontitis. This occurs when plaque spreads below the gumline causing gums to form pockets, and the pockets later become infected. As the disease worsens, the pockets deepen, and progressively more gum and bone tissue are destroyed. Eventually tooth loss occurs if the condition is not reversed. Local patients who have experienced tooth loss due to this or other reasons can rely on Toronto implant dentistry to restore teeth.

Dentists can stop periodontal disease and reverse its damaging effects to a large degree by cleaning teeth, removing damaged tissue, and replacing teeth when necessary. Rather than traditional methods, many cosmetic dentists are using lasers to remove damaged tissues, as this method causes less bleeding, swelling, and pain than traditional methods. After gums heal, dentists can use fillings or veneers to restore teeth and their aesthetic appearance. Finally, for patients who need tooth replacements, implants as well as bridges are the most common choice. For patients in the Tornoto area, Toronto dental implants are offered by expert dentists Dr. Andrew Charkiw and Dr. Armaghan Afsar at Toronto Smile Makeovers.